Zechariah 9:4

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 9:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Zechariah 9:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, the Lord will cast her out, etc.] Or “inherit her”f175, or “them”, as the Septuagint render the words; when, being converted, she would become the Lord’s inheritance and possession, and her riches should be devoted to his service: and he will smite her power in the sea; for Tyre was situated in the sea, at the entry of it, and was strong in it, (<262617>Ezekiel 26:17 27:3). Kimchi interprets this of her humiliation and subjection in the days of the Messiah; and in a spiritual sense it has been verified in such who have been spoiled of their carnal strength, in which they trusted, and have laid down their weapons, and have submitted to the sceptre of Christ: and she shall be devoured…”
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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
“(Eze 26:4, Eze 26:12; Eze 27:27). cast her out--Hebrew, "dispossess her," that is, will cast her inhabitants into exile [GROTIUS]. Alexander, though without a navy, by incredible labor constructed a mole of the ruins of Old Tyre (fulfilling Eze 26:4-12, &c., by "scraping her dust from her," and "laying her stones, timber, and dust in the midst of the water"), from the shore to the island, and, after a seven months' siege, took the city by storm, slew with the sword about eight thousand, enslaved thirteen thousand, crucified two thousand, and set the city on "fire," as here foretold [CURTIUS, Book 4]. smite her power in the sea--situated though she be in the sea, and so seeming impregnable…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold - Such were the preparations of Tyre. Over against them, as it were, the prophet sets before our eyes the counsels of God. Theodoret: “Since they had severed themselves from the providence of God, they were now to experience His power.” “The Lord will cast her out” , literally, deprive her of her possessions, give her an heir of what she had amassed, namely: the enemy; “and he will smite her power or wealth” , of which Ezekiel says, “With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: by the greediness of thy wisdom and by thy traffic thou hast increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy…”
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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
“Cast her out - Of her inheritance, as the word properly means. Zechariah 9:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Pro 10:2, Pro 11:4; Isa 23:1-7; Eze 28:16; Joe 3:8 he will: Eze 26:17, Eze 27:26-36, Eze 28:2, Eze 28:8 shall: Eze 28:18; Amo 1:10 Zechariah 9:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification