Zechariah – Chapter 2

Old Testament • 13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Zechariah 2 opens with the words: "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand." Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and holiness. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

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

2And I said: Whither goest thou? and he said to me: To measure Jerusalem, and to see how great is the breadth thereof, and how great the length thereof.

3And behold the angel that spoke in me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him.

4And he said to him: Run, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem shall be inhabited without walls, by reason of the multitude of men, and of the beasts in the midst thereof.

5And I will be to it, saith the Lord, a wall of fire round about: and I will be in glory in the midst thereof.

6O, O flee ye out of the land of the north, saith the Lord, for I have scattered you into the four winds of heaven, saith the Lord.

7O Sion, flee, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon:

8For thus saith the Lord of hosts: After the glory he hath sent me to the nations that have robbed you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye:

9For behold, I lift up my hand upon them, and they shall be a prey to those that served them: and you shall know that the Lord of hosts sent me.

10Sing praise, and rejoice, O daughter of Sion: for behold I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: saith the Lord.

11And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me to thee.

12And the Lord shall possess Juda his portion in the sanctified land: and he shall yet choose Jerusalem.

13Let all flesh be silent at the presence of the Lord: for he is risen up out of his holy habitation.

Important Verses in Zechariah 2

“And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand.”

Zechariah 2:1

“And I will be to it, saith the Lord, a wall of fire round about: and I will be in glory in the midst thereof.”

Zechariah 2:5

“For thus saith the Lord of hosts: After the glory he hath sent me to the nations that have robbed you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye:”

Zechariah 2:8

“Let all flesh be silent at the presence of the Lord: for he is risen up out of his holy habitation. ”

Zechariah 2:13

Historical Context

Zechariah addresses the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 2 of 14 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand." It concludes: "Let all flesh be silent at the presence of the Lord: for he is risen up out of his holy habitation. " Read against its original backdrop, A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the Temple's rebuilding through eight night visions, then looked far beyond it: a king coming 'humble and riding on a donkey' (9:9), the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of… Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Zechariah around Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah

When It Was Written

Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Zechariah 2 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1965).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Zechariah Chapter 2, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 133).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 2 about?

Zechariah 2 contains 13 verses. It opens with "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand." and closes with "Let all flesh be silent at the presence of the Lord: for he is risen up out of his holy habitation. ". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Related Chapters

Ezra 3Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Maccabees 14Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 31Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Litany of the Saints🙏The Sanctus

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

Bible & Faith

How Catholic Faith Provides Hope in Times of Personal Crisis

8 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

How the Eucharist Nourishes Faith and Sustains Hope

7 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

Importance Hope Faith Mental Health Recovery

7 min readRead article
Explore All Articles