New International VersionBut the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
New Living TranslationBut now the Lord will strip away Tyre’s possessions and hurl its fortifications into the sea, and it will be burned to the ground.
English Standard VersionBut behold, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire.
Berean Standard BibleBehold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
King James BibleBehold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
New King James VersionBehold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, And she will be devoured by fire.
New American Standard BibleBehold, the Lord will dispossess her And throw her wealth into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.
NASB 1995Behold, the Lord will dispossess her And cast her wealth into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.
NASB 1977Behold, the Lord will dispossess her And cast her wealth into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.
Legacy Standard BibleBehold, the Lord will dispossess her And strike her wealth down into the sea; And she will be consumed with fire.
Amplified BibleBehold, the Lord will dispossess her And throw her wealth into the sea; And Tyre will be devoured by fire.
Christian Standard BibleListen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire.
Holman Christian Standard BibleListen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire.
American Standard VersionBehold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Contemporary English VersionNow the Lord will punish Tyre with poverty; he will sink its ships and send it up in flames.
English Revised VersionBehold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe Lord will take away its possessions. He will throw its wealth into the sea and burn the city down.
Good News TranslationBut the Lord will take away everything she has. He will throw her wealth into the sea, and the city will be burned to the ground.
International Standard VersionLook! The Lord will evict her, striking at her power in the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
NET BibleNevertheless the Lord will evict her and shove her fortifications into the sea--she will be consumed by fire.
New Heart English BibleLook, the LORD will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.
Webster's Bible TranslationBehold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.
World English BibleBehold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, the Lord dispossesses her, "" And He has struck her force in the sea, "" And she is consumed with fire.
Young's Literal Translation Lo, the Lord doth dispossess her, And He hath smitten in the sea her force, And she with fire is consumed.
Smith's Literal TranslationBehold, Jehovah will dispossess her, and he struck her strength in the sea; and she shall be devoured by fire. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBehold, the Lord will possess her, and he will strike her strength in the sea, and she will be devoured by fire.
New American BibleBut now the Lord will dispossess it, and cast its wealth into the sea, and it will be devoured by fire.
New Revised Standard VersionBut now, the Lord will strip it of its possessions and hurl its wealth into the sea, and it shall be devoured by fire. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore, the LORD will destroy her and cast her wealth into the sea; and she shall be devoured by fire.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedBecause of this, LORD JEHOVAH shall destroy it and he shall cast her wealth into the sea and she shall be consumed in fire OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, the Lord will impoverish her, And He will smite her power into the sea; And she shall be devoured with fire.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd therefore the Lord will take them for a possession, and will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be consumed with fire.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Judgement Against Israel's Enemies… 3Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. 4Behold,the Lordwill impoverish herand casther wealthinto the sea,and shewill be consumedby fire.5Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.…
Cross References Isaiah 23:1-18This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ...
Ezekiel 26:1-21In the eleventh month of the twelfth year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, ‘Aha! The gate to the nations is broken; it has swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will be filled,’ / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. ...
Ezekiel 27:1-36Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Now you, son of man, take up a lament for Tyre. / Tell Tyre, who dwells at the gateway to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, that this is what the Lord GOD says: You have said, O Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ ...
Ezekiel 28:1-19And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! ...
Amos 1:9-10This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.”
Jeremiah 25:22all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;
Jeremiah 47:4For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
Joel 3:4-8Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...
Psalm 83:7of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre.
Isaiah 14:29-31Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.
Matthew 11:21-22“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
Luke 10:13-14Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.
Acts 12:20-23Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food. / On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” ...
Revelation 18:1-24After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. / And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. / All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” ...
Matthew 15:21-28Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. / And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” ...
Treasury of Scripture Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. the Lord. Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Isaiah 23:1-7 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them… he will. Ezekiel 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed,that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terrorto be on all that haunt it! Ezekiel 27:26-36 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas… Ezekiel 28:2,8 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heartis lifted up, and thou hast said, Iam a God, I sitin the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thouart a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: … shall. Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. Amos 1:10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof. Jump to Previous BurnedCastConsumedDestroyDevouredDispossessFireForceHeritageHurlImpoverishOverturningPossessionPossessionsPowerSeaSmiteSmittenStrikeStripWealthJump to Next BurnedCastConsumedDestroyDevouredDispossessFireForceHeritageHurlImpoverishOverturningPossessionPossessionsPowerSeaSmiteSmittenStrikeStripWealthZechariah 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.Behold, the Lord will impoverish herThis phrase indicates divine intervention and judgment. The "her" refers to the city of Tyre, a powerful and wealthy city-state known for its trade and commerce. Historically, Tyre was a significant maritime power, and its wealth was legendary. The use of "Behold" serves as a call to attention, emphasizing the certainty and importance of the prophecy. The impoverishment by the Lord suggests a direct act of God, highlighting His sovereignty over nations and their fortunes. This aligns with the biblical theme that God raises and brings down nations according to His will, as seen in other scriptures like Daniel 2:21. and cast her wealth into the sea
This imagery is particularly poignant given Tyre's identity as a coastal city with a strong maritime economy. The casting of wealth into the sea symbolizes the complete loss and futility of relying on material riches. Historically, Tyre was besieged by various empires, including the Babylonians and later by Alexander the Great, who famously destroyed the city. The phrase may also allude to the literal destruction and plundering of Tyre's wealth during these sieges. The sea, often a symbol of chaos and judgment in biblical literature, underscores the totality of Tyre's downfall. and she will be consumed by fire
Fire is a common biblical symbol of judgment and purification. The prophecy of Tyre being consumed by fire was fulfilled historically when Alexander the Great conquered the city in 332 BC, using the debris of the mainland city to build a causeway to the island fortress, eventually setting it ablaze. This act of destruction serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate authority of God over earthly powers. The imagery of fire also connects to other biblical instances of divine judgment, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25) and the purifying fire mentioned inMalachi 3:2-3. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LordThe sovereign God who executes judgment and fulfills His promises. 2. TyreAn ancient and wealthy city known for its strong defenses and economic power, located in modern-day Lebanon. 3. JudgmentThe divine act of God bringing justice and consequences upon Tyre for its pride and reliance on wealth and fortifications. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations and their destinies. No city or nation, regardless of its wealth or power, can stand against His will. The Futility of Trusting in Wealth and PowerTyre's reliance on its riches and fortifications serves as a warning against placing our trust in material possessions or human strength. The Certainty of Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is certain and just. He will hold accountable those who exalt themselves against Him. Repentance and HumilityThe fall of Tyre calls us to examine our own lives for pride and self-reliance, urging us to repent and humbly submit to God. Hope in God's JusticeWhile judgment is severe, it also assures us that God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness to the world. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Zechariah 9:4?
2.How does Zechariah 9:4 demonstrate God's sovereignty over human pride and power?
3.What lessons can we learn from Tyre's downfall in Zechariah 9:4?
4.How does Zechariah 9:4 connect with Proverbs 16:18 about pride and destruction?
5.In what ways can we guard against pride as warned in Zechariah 9:4?
6.How can Zechariah 9:4 encourage humility in our personal and community life?
7.How does Zechariah 9:4 reflect God's judgment on human pride and material wealth?
8.What historical events align with the prophecy in Zechariah 9:4?
9.How does Zechariah 9:4 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 9?
11.What does the Bible say about Damascus's destruction?
12.How can Zechariah 9:3–4 claim Tyre would be destroyed when archaeological evidence suggests Tyre was never fully deserted?
13.Does the prophecy in Ezekiel 26 conflict with accounts in other books of the Bible that reference Tyre’s continued trading and influence after its supposed destruction?
14.In Hebrews 12:29, how does describing God as a 'consuming fire' fit with modern scientific understanding of fire and energy?What Does Zechariah 9:4 Mean Behold• The opening word signals a divine announcement that demands attention, much likeIsaiah 26:1 orRevelation 21:3. • God Himself is speaking; the certainty of what follows rests on His unchanging character (Numbers 23:19).
the Lord will impoverish her• “Her” points to Tyre, the rich maritime city named in the previous verse (Zechariah 9:3). • Tyre’s proud stockpiles of silver “like dust” and gold “like the dirt of the streets” (v. 3) cannot shield her from the Lord’s hand; compareProverbs 11:4 andJames 5:1-3. •Ezekiel 26:4-5 foretold that Tyre’s walls would be torn down and she would become “a place to spread nets,” showing God’s consistent plan. • God alone decides who rises and who falls (Psalm 75:6-7); earthly wealth offers no refuge when He moves in judgment.
and cast her wealth into the sea• Tyre’s treasures—gained through trade and shipping—will be hurled into the very waters that made the city prosperous, echoingEzekiel 26:12 andRevelation 18:17-19. • Historically, Alexander the Great scraped the mainland ruins of Tyre into the Mediterranean to build a causeway, literally throwing her riches and rubble into the sea—fulfilling the prophecy with striking precision. • The image underscores a larger biblical theme: what is idolized can become the instrument of downfall (Habakkuk 2:6-8).
and she will be consumed by fire• Fire often seals divine judgment (Amos 1:9-10 against Tyre;2 Peter 3:7 for the future). • Tyre’s famed cedar structures and fortifications could not survive the flames kindled by conquering armies; see alsoIsaiah 23:11-12. • The consuming fire reminds believers that God’s holiness burns against pride and exploitation (Hebrews 12:29).
summaryZechariah 9:4 assures that the Lord, not human power, controls the fate of nations. Tyre’s riches, influence, and defenses crumble when God decrees judgment. He strips away wealth, tosses it into the very sea that once enriched the city, and finishes the sentence with consuming fire. The verse calls every generation to trust the Lord rather than material strength, recognizing that He alone grants security and exaltation. Verse 4. - Will cast her out;will take possession of her; i.e. will conquer her by the hands of her enemies, as Joshua 8:7; Joshua 17:12. Septuagint, κληρονομήσει, "will inherit;" Vulgate, possidebit; Ewald and Hitzig render, "will impoverish her." Will smite her power in the sea. "Power" here includes all that made Tyre proud and confident - her riches, her fleets, her trade, her fortifications. God declares that she shall be smitten there as she stood in the midst of the sea, which formed her bulwark, and which should soon dash over her ruins. The LXX. translates, "shall smite into the sea." Zechariah seems here to have a reminiscence of Ezekiel 27:32, "What city is like Tyres, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?" (comp. Ezekiel 26:4). With fire (comp. Amos 1:10). The city was burned by Alexander (see note on ver. 2. The siege is narrated by Arrian, 2:15-24; Quint. Curt., 4:2, etc.; Diod. Sic., 17:46, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Behold,הִנֵּ֤ה(hin·nêh)Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!the Lordאֲדֹנָי֙(’ă·ḏō·nāy)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136:The Lordwill impoverish herיֽוֹרִשֶׁ֔נָּה(yō·w·ri·šen·nāh)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3423:To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruinand castוְהִכָּ֥ה(wə·hik·kāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221:To strikeher powerחֵילָ֑הּ(ḥê·lāh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2428:A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strengthinto the sea,בַיָּ֖ם(ḇay·yām)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinand sheוְהִ֖יא(wə·hî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arewill be consumedתֵּאָכֵֽל׃(tê·’ā·ḵêl)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 398:To eatby fire.בָּאֵ֥שׁ(bā·’êš)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784:A fire
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OT Prophets: Zechariah 9:4 Behold the Lord will dispossess her (Zech. Zec Zc) |
