Zechariah – Chapter 8

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Zechariah 8 opens with the words: "And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:" Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: courage in the face of fear and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:

2Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I have been jealous for Sion with a great jealousy, and with a great indignation have I been jealous for her.

3Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, The sanctified mountain.

4Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem: and every man with his staff in his hand through multitude of days.

5And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls, playing in the streets thereof.

6Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If it seem hard in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days: shall it be hard in my eyes, saith the Lord of hosts?

7Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold I will save my people from the land of the east, and from the land of the going down of the sun.

8And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in truth and in justice.

9Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strengthened, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, in the day that the house of the Lord of hosts was founded, that the temple might be built.

10For before those days there was no hire for men, neither was there hire for beasts, neither was there peace to him that came in, nor to him that went out, because of the tribulation: and I let all men go every one against his neighbour.

11But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people according to the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.

12But there shall be the seed of peace: the vine shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew: and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

13And it shall come to pass, that as you were a curse among the Gentiles, O house of Juda, and house of Israel: so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing: fear not, let your hands be strengthened.

14For thus saith the Lord of hosts: As I purposed to afflict you, when your fathers had provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord,

15And I had no mercy: so turning again I have thought in these days to do good to the house of Juda, and Jerusalem: fear not.

16These then are the things, which you shall do: Speak ye truth every one to his neighbour; judge ye truth and judgment of peace in your gates.

17And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his friend: and love not a false oath: for all these are the things that I hate, saith the Lord.

18And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:

19Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

20Thus saith the Lord of hosts, until people come and dwell in many cities,

21And the inhabitants go one to another, saying: Let us go, and entreat the face of the Lord, and let us seek the Lord of hosts: I also will go.

22And many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord.

23Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the skirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Important Verses in Zechariah 8

Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, The sanctified mountain.

Zechariah 8:3

And I had no mercy: so turning again I have thought in these days to do good to the house of Juda, and Jerusalem: fear not.

Zechariah 8:15

Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

Zechariah 8:19

Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the skirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Zechariah 8:23

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 8 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:" It concludes: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and…" In terms of historical background, 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… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: 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 3: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of truth, and the…" The passage repeatedly touches on courage in the face of fear.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of messianic visions and the coming king. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2215).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Behold, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Zechariah 8 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

Reflection for Today

Zechariah Chapter 8, containing 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 791). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands messianic visions and the coming king.

As you continue through Zechariah, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 8 about?

Zechariah 8 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:" and closes with "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of…" 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.

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