Zechariah 2:9

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 2:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me.
Zechariah 2:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, etc.] The nations; either the Babylonian, or the antichristian states; meaning, that he would exert his power, and inflict punishment on them, and utterly destroy them; which would be done by the bare shaking of his hand: and they shall be a spoil to their servants; as the Babylonians were to the Persians; not through Cyrus, which had been done; but through Darius, who took Babylon, after a siege of twenty months, and put great numbers to death; and all became a spoil to the Persians, who had been their servants: or the ten kings, that gave their kingdoms to the beast, and were subject to him; but now shall hate the whore, and eat her flesh; and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“shake . . . hand--A mere wave of God's hand can prostrate all foes (compare Rut 1:13; Job 31:21; Isa 11:15; Isa 19:16; Act 13:11). a spoil to their servants--to the Jews whom they had once as their slaves (compare Isa 14:2). As the Jews' state between the return from Babylon and Christ's coming was checkered with much adversity, this prophecy can only have its fulfilment under Christ. sent me-- (Isa 48:16; Isa 61:1; Joh 10:36).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For behold I will shake My hand against them - As God promised of old against the enemies of His people , and they shall be a spoil to those who served them habitually. And ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent Me - Theodoret: “He was sent, not as God, but as Man. For as God He is equal to the Father. For He saith, “I am in the Father and the Father in Me, and, The Father who dwelleth in Me He doeth the works” John 14:10, and, “I and My Father are one” John 10:30, and “He who hath seen Me hath seen the Father” John 14:9. But He is sent, as man, fulfilling the dispensation for us, not lessening the divine nature. The prophet then intimated not the duality only, but the equality of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Upon them - Against the nation that doth violence to my people. Unto their servants - Unto the Jews, who were first spoiled by, and then made servants to them. Hath sent me - To inform them of my father's will. Zechariah 2:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:9 their own slaves will plunder them: At the Exodus, the Egyptians paid the Israelites to leave their land (see Exod 11:2-3; 12:35-36).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Isa 10:32, Isa 11:15, Isa 13:2, Isa 19:16 and they: Isa 14:2, Isa 33:1, Isa 33:23; Jer 27:7; Eze 39:10; Hab 2:8, Hab 2:17; Zep 2:9 and ye: Zac 2:8, Zac 4:9, Zac 6:15; Jer 28:9; Joh 13:19, Joh 16:4 Zechariah 2:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification