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◄ Zechariah 9:13►

New International Version
I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.

New Living Translation
Judah is my bow, and Israel is my arrow. Jerusalem is my sword, and like a warrior, I will brandish it against the Greeks.

English Standard Version
For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.

Berean Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

King James Bible
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

New King James Version
For I have bent Judah, Mybow, Fitted the bow with Ephraim, And raised up your sons, O Zion, Against your sons, O Greece, And made you like the sword of a mighty man.”

New American Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece; And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

NASB 1995
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

NASB 1977
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

Legacy Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow; I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will rouse up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; And I will make you like a mighty man’s sword.

Amplified Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fit the bow with Ephraim [as My arrow]. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, And will make you [Israel] like the sword of a warrior.

Christian Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as my bow; I will fill that bow with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece. I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow; I will fill that bow with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece. I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

American Standard Version
For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man.

Contemporary English Version
I will use Judah as my bow and Israel as my arrow. I will take the people of Zion as my sword and attack the Greeks.

English Revised Version
For I have bent Judah for me, I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and will make thee as the sword of a mighty man.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will bend Judah as my bow and draw my bow with Ephraim [as its arrow]. I will stir up your people, Zion, against your people, Greece, and I will use you like a warrior's sword.

Good News Translation
I will use Judah like a soldier's bow and Israel like the arrows. I will use the men of Zion like a sword, to fight the men of Greece."

International Standard Version
For I have bent Judah as if it were my bow, loading it with Ephraim. I raised up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, wielding you like a mighty warrior's sword."

NET Bible
I will bend Judah as my bow; I will load the bow with Ephraim, my arrow! I will stir up your sons, Zion, against yours, Greece, and I will make you, Zion, like a warrior's sword.

New Heart English Bible
For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

Webster's Bible Translation
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

World English Bible
For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have loaded the bow with Ephraim. I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For I have trodden for Myself with Judah, "" I have filled a bow [with] Ephraim, "" And I have stirred up your sons, O Zion, "" Against your sons, O Javan, "" And I have set you as the sword of a hero.”

Young's Literal Translation
For I have trodden for Me Judah, A bow I have filled with Ephraim, And I have stirred up thy sons, O Zion, Against thy sons, O Javan, And I have set thee as the sword of a hero.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I tread out Judah to me, I filled the bow with Ephraim, and I raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and I set thee as the sword of the strong one.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Because I have bent Juda for me as a bow, I have filled Ephraim: and I will raise up thy sons, O Sion, above thy sons, O Greece, and I will make thee as the sword of the mighty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
because I have stretched out Judah for myself, like a bow; I have filled Ephraim. And I will raise up your sons, Zion, above your sons, Greece. And I will set you as the sword of the strength.

New American Bible
For I have bent Judah as my bow, I have set Ephraim as its arrow; I will arouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Yavan, and I will use you as a warrior’s sword.

New Revised Standard Version
For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will arouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For I have bent my bow over Judah and filled my bow over Ephraim, and I have set your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made Jerusalem like the sword of a mighty man.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because I have bent my bow over Yehuda, and I have fitted against Ephraim, and I cast your sons, oh Zion, against your sons, oh Greece, and I have made you like the sword of a giant

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For I bend Judah for Me, I fill the bow with Ephraim; And I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, Against thy sons, O Javan, And will make thee as the sword of a mighty man.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I have bent thee, O Juda, for myselfas a bow, I have filled Ephraim; and I will raise up thy children, O Sion, against the children of the Greeks, and I will handle thee as the sword of a warrior.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Zion's Coming King
…12Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; even today I declare that I will restore to you double.13For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim.I will rouse your sons,O Zion,against the sons of Greece.I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Isaiah 41:15-16
Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 51:20-23
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...

Ezekiel 25:14
I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Psalm 45:5
Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Isaiah 49:2
He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.

Isaiah 66:19
I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.

Joel 3:9-10
Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack! / Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’

Amos 9:12
that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Isaiah 11:13-14
Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. / They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Isaiah 14:2
The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.

Isaiah 60:12
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.

Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 60:16
You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah 60:18
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Isaiah 61:5
Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers.

Treasury of Scripture

When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you as the sword of a mighty man.

bent.

Zechariah 1:21
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, Theseare the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted uptheir horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Zechariah 10:3-7
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle…

Zechariah 12:2-8
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judahand against Jerusalem…

and raised.

Psalm 49:2-9
Both low and high, rich and poor, together…

Lamentations 4:2
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Amos 2:11
And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites.Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD.

against.

Daniel 8:21-25
And the rough goatis the king of Grecia: and the great horn thatis between his eyesis the first king…

Daniel 11:32-34
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and doexploits…

Joel 3:6-8
The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border…

made.

Zechariah 12:8
In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of Davidshall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

Psalm 18:32-35
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect…

Psalm 45:3
Gird thy sword uponthy thigh, Omost mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

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Zechariah 9

1.God defends his church.
9.Zion is exhorted to rejoice for the coming of Christ, and his peaceable kingdom.
12.God's promises of victory and defense.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

For I will bend Judah as My bow
This phrase indicates God's intention to use Judah as a weapon of war, symbolizing strength and readiness for battle. In biblical context, the bow is often a symbol of military power and divine judgment (Psalm 7:12). Judah, representing the southern kingdom, is portrayed as an instrument in God's hands, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over the nations. This imagery connects to the idea of God empowering His people to fulfill His purposes.

and fit it with Ephraim.
Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, is paired with Judah, suggesting a reunification of the divided kingdoms. This reflects the prophetic hope for the restoration and unity of Israel (Ezekiel 37:16-22). The combination of Judah and Ephraim as a single weapon signifies the strength and completeness of God's people when united under His leadership.

I will rouse your sons, O Zion,
Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, represents the spiritual and political center of God's people. The rousing of Zion's sons implies a divine awakening and mobilization for a significant purpose. This can be seen as a call to action, preparing the people for a forthcoming conflict or mission. It echoes themes of revival and empowerment found throughout the prophetic literature (Isaiah 52:1-2).

against the sons of Greece.
The reference to Greece points to the historical context of the Hellenistic period, particularly the conflicts between the Jewish people and the Greek empires, such as the Seleucid Empire. This prophecy anticipates the Maccabean Revolt, where Jewish forces successfully resisted Hellenistic influence and oppression. It highlights the tension between God's people and foreign powers, a recurring theme in biblical history.

I will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
This phrase emphasizes the transformation and empowerment of God's people, likening them to a powerful and effective weapon. The sword symbolizes strength, authority, and the ability to execute judgment. In a broader theological context, it points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over earthly powers, foreshadowing the triumph of Christ, who is often depicted as a warrior king (Revelation 19:11-16).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Judah
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, representing the southern kingdom. In this context, it symbolizes strength and leadership.

2.Ephraim
Another tribe of Israel, often representing the northern kingdom. Here, it signifies unity with Judah.

3.Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem or the people of God. It represents the spiritual center and God's chosen people.

4.Greece
Represents the Gentile nations, specifically the Hellenistic powers that opposed Israel.

5.Mighty Man
Symbolizes strength and divine empowerment, indicating that God will equip His people for victory.

Teaching Points

Divine Empowerment
God equips His people for spiritual battles. Just as He promised to make Judah and Ephraim His instruments, He empowers believers today through the Holy Spirit.

Unity Among Believers
The unification of Judah and Ephraim signifies the importance of unity within the body of Christ. Believers are called to work together for God's purposes.

Spiritual Warfare
The conflict between Zion and Greece symbolizes the ongoing spiritual battle between God's kingdom and worldly powers. Christians are called to stand firm in faith.

God's Sovereignty
This passage highlights God's control over nations and history. Believers can trust in His ultimate plan and purpose.

Hope and Victory
The promise of making His people like a mighty sword assures believers of victory through Christ. This hope should inspire confidence and perseverance.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Zechariah 9:13?

2.How does Zechariah 9:13 illustrate God's power in defending His people?

3.What does "I will bend Judah as My bow" symbolize in this context?

4.How does Zechariah 9:13 connect with God's promises to Israel in Genesis?

5.In what ways can we trust God's protection as seen in Zechariah 9:13?

6.How can believers today apply the message of victory in Zechariah 9:13?

7.What does Zechariah 9:13 mean by "I will rouse your sons, O Zion"?

8.How does Zechariah 9:13 relate to the historical conflict between Greece and Israel?

9.Why does Zechariah 9:13 mention "your sons, O Greece" in a prophetic context?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 9?

11.Zechariah 8:13: How could the house of Judah and Israel become blessings to other nations in light of ongoing regional strife?

12.In Zechariah 9:13, what historical evidence supports the prophesied victory over Greece, and why is its fulfillment unclear?

13.If Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled in Jesus' triumphal entry, why didn't the predicted era of peace (v.10) materialize?

14.Why does 1 Chronicles 9:3 include tribes like Ephraim and Manasseh in Jerusalem, contradicting other passages indicating they didn't return?

What Does Zechariah 9:13 Mean

For I will bend Judah as My bow

The picture is of the LORD Himself stringing a weapon for battle. Judah becomes the bow in His hands.

• This is a promise that God will personally prepare His people for His purposes (Judges 3:10;Psalm 144:1).

• A bent bow is ready to release power, so Judah is presented as a chosen instrument of divine strength (Isaiah 49:2).

• The emphasis is on God’s initiative—“I will bend”—highlighting His sovereign control over history and His covenant people (1 Samuel 17:47).

and fit it with Ephraim

The phrase broadens the picture: Ephraim (representing the northern tribes) becomes the arrow placed on the string.

• God reunites the divided nation (Ezekiel 37:16–22), showing that both southern Judah and northern Israel will serve together.

• Unity brings effectiveness; a bow needs an arrow. In God’s plan, different parts of His people complement one another (1 Corinthians 12:12–18 applied typologically).

• The Lord’s fitting of Ephraim underscores His meticulous preparation of every believer for service (Ephesians 2:10).

I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece

Now the target is revealed—Greece (symbolic of the world’s dominant powers).

• Historically this points ahead to the Maccabean revolt when Jewish forces rose against Hellenistic oppressors (Daniel 8:21–25; 11:32).

• Spiritually it portrays God stirring His people to stand against cultural forces that oppose His ways (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

• “Rouse” assures that the energy comes from the Spirit, not human zeal alone (Haggai 1:14). God awakens courage where fear once ruled (Psalm 18:32–34).

I will make you like the sword of a mighty man

The imagery shifts from bow and arrow to a sword—another weapon, but now placed directly in the warrior’s hand.

• God not only provides the tools; He transforms His people into the tool itself (Jeremiah 51:20).

• A “mighty man” suggests victory is certain because the warrior is valiant and skilled (Psalm 45:3–5).

• For believers today, this anticipates being empowered by Christ, the ultimate Mighty One, to pierce darkness with truth (Ephesians 6:17;Hebrews 4:12).

summary

Zechariah 9:13 paints a four-fold progression: God bends Judah as His bow, places Ephraim as the arrow, stirs Zion’s sons against Greece, and finally makes His people the very sword in a champion’s hand. The passage assures us that the Lord unites, equips, energizes, and transforms His covenant community to confront and overcome worldly opposition. He is both the Divine Warrior and the Master Craftsman, guaranteeing that His mission is accomplished through the people He has perfectly prepared.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - The Lord proceeds to explain the promised blessings in detail. First is signified the victorious resistance of the Maccabees against the Seleucidae - a figure of Messiah's victory over all the enemies of God.When (for)I have bent Judah for me. The verbs are in the prophetical perfect, and may be rendered future By a grand figure God is represented as a warrior armed for battle, who uses his people for the weapons of his warfare. The Hebrews speak of "treading" the bow, where we say "bend," because they used the foot in bending it. In the present case Judah is God's bow.Filled the bow with Ephraim. Ephraim is the arrow (comp.Psalm 127:4, 5). Judah and Ephraim, the united people, are God's instruments, and fight against the world power in his strength.And raised up; better,and I will stir up; Septuagint,ἐξεγερῶ: Vulgate,suscitabo.Greece;Javan. Not a vague term for the tar west, whither some prisoners had been carried, but to be taken strictly as the appellation of Greece. Nothing but inspiration could have enabled Zechariah and Daniel to foresee the rise of the Macedonian dynasty, and the struggle between the Jews and the Syro-Grecian power in Maccabean times, which is here plainly announced. The earlier the date assigned to this part of Zechariah's prophecy, the more incredible is it that any mere human sagacity or prescience should have enabled a man to fore. tell these events, or to see in Greece a power arrayed in conflict with the people of God.And made thee; rather,and I will makethee. God will make his people into a hero's sword to execute vengeance on the enemy.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

I will bend
דָרַ֨כְתִּי(ḏā·raḵ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1869:To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

Judah
יְהוּדָ֗ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

as My bow
קֶ֚שֶׁת(qe·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7198:A bow, for, shooting, the iris

and fit it
מִלֵּ֣אתִי(mil·lê·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4390:To fill, be full of

with Ephraim.
אֶפְרַ֔יִם(’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669:Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

I will rouse
וְעוֹרַרְתִּ֤י(wə·‘ō·w·rar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5782:To rouse oneself, awake

your sons,
בָנַ֙יִךְ֙(ḇā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121:A son

O Zion,
צִיּ֔וֹן(ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726:Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

against
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

the sons
בָּנַ֖יִךְ(bā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121:A son

of Greece.
יָוָ֑ן(yā·wān)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3120:Javan -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land

I will make you
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךְ(wə·śam·tîḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, set

like the sword
כְּחֶ֥רֶב(kə·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

of a mighty man.
גִּבּֽוֹר׃(gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1368:Powerful, warrior, tyrant

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OT Prophets: Zechariah 9:13 For indeed I bend Judah as (Zech. Zec Zc)