Zechariah 9:6

And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

And a bastard {H4464} shall dwell {H3427} in Ashdod {H795}, and I will cut off {H3772} the pride {H1347} of the Philistines {H6430}.

and a mixed people will live in Ashdod, as I destroy the pride of the P'lishtim.

A mixed race will occupy Ashdod,and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

Commentary

Zechariah 9:6 presents a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the future of Ashdod, one of the principal cities of the Philistines, a long-standing adversary of Israel. This verse is part of a larger section (Zechariah 9-14) that foretells God's judgment on surrounding nations and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom, culminating in the coming of the Messiah.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Zechariah ministered during the post-exilic period, around 520-518 BC, encouraging the returned exiles to rebuild the Temple and restore their spiritual life. The Philistines, descendants of the Sea Peoples, were a persistent threat to Israel from the time of the Judges through the monarchy. Their five major cities—Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath—represented a pagan and often aggressive presence on Israel's western border.

Ashdod, specifically, was a significant Philistine stronghold, known for its temple to Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-7). The prophecy here foretells a dramatic shift in its status, signaling the subjugation of a once-proud enemy and the extension of divine influence over territories formerly hostile to God's people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse vividly portrays God's absolute control over the destinies of nations. He declares His intention to bring down the mighty, demonstrating that no power or people is beyond His reach or judgment. This is a recurring theme throughout biblical prophecy, where God executes judgment against the enemies of Israel and those who oppose His will.
  • Humiliation of the Proud: The core message is the humbling of the Philistines. Their "pride" (strength, arrogance, and idolatrous independence) will be "cut off." This serves as a warning against national hubris and self-reliance apart from God.
  • Transformation of Conquered Territory: The phrase "a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod" signifies a profound change. It implies a loss of the city's original Philistine identity and purity, possibly indicating a mixed, foreign, or debased population living there, or even a symbolic representation of its utter subjugation and inability to maintain its former glory.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "bastard" is mamzer (מַמְזֵר). In Old Testament law, a mamzer was someone born of an illicit union, excluded from the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:2). Applied to Ashdod, it powerfully conveys a sense of impurity, foreignness, or a debased status for the city's inhabitants, highlighting its complete degradation and the end of its distinct Philistine identity.
  • The term "pride" is translated from the Hebrew ga'on (גָּאֹון), which can mean majesty, excellence, or, as here, arrogance and haughtiness. It refers to the Philistines' self-importance, their strength, and perhaps their idols or military might, all of which God promises to dismantle.

Practical Application and Reflection

Zechariah 9:6 reminds us that God's justice ultimately prevails. No human power, however strong or proud, can ultimately stand against the Lord of Hosts. This verse offers encouragement to believers that God is sovereign over all nations and will bring down those who exalt themselves against Him or His people. It also serves as a timeless caution against national pride and idolatry, emphasizing that true strength and security are found only in submission to God's will. The broader context of Zechariah 9 also points towards the future hope of the Messiah, who will ultimately bring true peace and justice, a promise echoed in Zechariah 9:9 concerning the humble King entering Jerusalem.

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Cross-References

  • Amos 1:8 (4 votes)

    And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 1 Peter 5:5 (3 votes)

    ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

  • Zephaniah 2:10 (3 votes)

    This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified [themselves] against the people of the LORD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 2:12 (2 votes)

    For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

  • Isaiah 2:17 (2 votes)

    And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:2 (2 votes)

    A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease.

  • Isaiah 23:9 (2 votes)

    The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.