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Zechariah, 2

1. Then, raising my eyes, I had a vision. It was this: There were four horns.

1. And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!

2. I said to the angel who was talking to me, 'What are these?' He said to me, 'These are the horns which scattered Judah (Israel) and Jerusalem.'

2. Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length."

3. Yahweh then showed me four smiths.

3. And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him,

4. And I said, 'What are these coming to do?' He said to me, '(Those horns scattered Judah so completely that no one dared to raise his head; but) these have come to terrify them, to throw down the horns of the nations who raised their horns over the land of Judah to scatter it.'

4. and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, `Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it.

5. Then, raising my eyes, I had a vision. There was a man with a measuring line in his hand.

5. For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'"

6. I asked him, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'To measure Jerusalem, to calculate her width and length.'

6. Ho! ho! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, says the LORD.

7. And then, while the angel who was talking to me walked away, another angel came out to meet him.

7. Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.

8. He said to him, 'Run, and tell that young man this, "Jerusalem is to remain unwalled, because of the great number of men and cattle inside.

8. For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:

9. For I -- Yahweh declares -- shall be a wall of fire all round her and I shall be the Glory within her." '

9. "Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.

10. Look out! Look out! Flee from the land of the north -- Yahweh declares- for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven -- Yahweh declares.

10. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD.

11. Look out! Make your escape, Zion, now living with the daughter of Babylon!

11. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

12. For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, since the Glory commissioned me, about the nations who plundered you, 'Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye.

12. And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem."

13. Now look, I shall wave my hand over them and they will be plundered by those whom they have enslaved.' Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me!

13. Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

14. Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion, for now I am coming to live among you -Yahweh declares!

14.

15. And on that day many nations will be converted to Yahweh. Yes, they will become his people, and they will live among you. Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you!

15.

16. Yahweh will take possession of Judah, his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his choice.

16.

17. Let all people be silent before Yahweh, now that he is stirring from his holy Dwelling!

17.



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Footnotes:

2:1-5 - Zechariah has a vision of Jerusalem as a city without walls, surrounded by divine fire. The city will be protected by God, who will be in its midst. The image of God as protector of His people is central, revealing His constant presence and divine care for the city of Jerusalem (see also Isaiah 4:5-6 and Revelation 21:2-3).

2:6-13 - God's promise to bring the children of Israel back from the dispersion, inviting them to return to Jerusalem, is an expression of His commitment to His people. God's presence among His people will be the source of blessing and security, and all peoples will be drawn to Him (see also Jeremiah 30:10 and Isaiah 56:7).

Verses related to Zechariah, 2:

Zechariah chapter 2 presents the vision of a glorious future for Jerusalem. What promises does God make to His chosen city? This hopeful text describes the vision of the man with the measuring line, symbolizing the future expansion and prosperity of Jerusalem. The chapter proclaims the protective presence of God and invites the exiles to return. Zechariah 2 addresses themes such as divine dwelling among His people, inclusion of the nations, and security in God. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the central themes of this inspiring chapter.

Revelation 21:15-16: "The angel who spoke to me had a golden rod as a measure to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was quadrangular, of equal length and width. He measured the city with the rod and found that it was two thousand two hundred kilometers long; the width and height were equal to the length." - The measurement of the New Jerusalem in Revelation echoes the vision of the man with the measuring line in Zechariah 2:1-2.

Isaiah 60:3: "The nations will come to his light, and kings to the brightness of his dawn." - This prophecy from Isaiah about the nations coming to Jerusalem aligns with the promise in Zechariah 2:11 of many nations joining the Lord.

Ezekiel 48:35: "The perimeter of the city will be eighteen thousand cubits. And from that day forward the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE." - The description of the city in Ezekiel, with God at its center, reflects the promise in Zechariah 2:5 of God to be a wall of fire around Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 31:38-40: "The days will come, declares the Lord, "when this city will be rebuilt for me, from the tower of Hananeel to the Corner Gate. [...] The city will never be uprooted or destroyed."" - This prophecy of Jeremiah about the rebuilding of Jerusalem complements Zechariah's visions about the restoration of the city.

Psalms 46:5: "God is in her! It will not be shaken! God will help you from the break of dawn." - This psalm expresses the same confidence in the divine protection of Jerusalem that we find in Zechariah 2:5.

FAQ:

What does the vision of the man with the measuring line in Zechariah 2 symbolize?

The vision of the man with the measuring line symbolizes the expansion of Jerusalem and God's promise to protect and dwell in it, free from further affliction. (Zechariah 2:1-5)

What does the promise that Jerusalem will be “the dwelling place of God” mean?

God promises that Jerusalem will be a safe, secure, and blessed place where He will dwell with His people. This symbolizes restoration and a peaceful future. (Zechariah 2:10-13)

How does God comfort Israel in Zechariah 2?

God comforts Israel with the promise of His protection and the restoration of Jerusalem. He has assured them that His presence will be with them and that the nations that oppress them will be judged. (Zechariah 2:6-9)

What does the promise that the nations will gather to the Lord in Zechariah 2 mean?

The promise is that in the future the nations will recognize the God of Israel as the one true God and will unite with Him, seeking His peace. (Zechariah 2:11)

Who are the "daughters of Zion" mentioned in Zechariah 2?

The “daughters of Zion” represent the inhabitants of Jerusalem and, more broadly, the people of Israel. They are called to rejoice in the restoration of Jerusalem. (Zechariah 2:10)


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