Zechariah – Chapter 9

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 9 of Zechariah begins: "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of all the tribes of…" Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of all the tribes of Israel is the Lord's.

2Emath also in the borders thereof, and Tyre, and Sidon: for they have taken to themselves to be exceeding wise.

3And Tyre hath built herself a strong hold, and heaped together silver as earth, and gold as the mire of the streets.

4Behold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.

5Ascalon shall see, and shall fear, and Gaza, and shall be very sorrowful: and Accaron, because her hope is confounded: and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ascalon shall not be inhabited.

6And the divider shall sit in Azotus, and I will destroy the pride of the Philistines.

7And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: and even he shall be left to our God, and he shall be as a governor in Juda, and Accaron as a Jebusite.

8And I will encompass my house with them that serve me in war, going and returning, and the oppressor shall no more pass through them: for now I have seen with my eyes.

9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem: BEHOLD THY KING will come to thee, the just and saviour: he is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

10And I will destroy the chariot out of Ephraim, and the horse out of Jerusalem, and the bow for war shall be broken: and he shall speak peace to the Gentiles, and his power shall be from sea to sea, and from the rivers even to the end of the earth.

11Thou also by the blood of thy testament hast sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit, wherein is no water.

12Return to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, I will render thee double as I declare today.

13Because 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.

14And the Lord God shall be seen over them, and his dart shall go forth as lightning: and the Lord God will sound the trumpet, and go in the whirlwind of the south.

15The Lord of hosts will protect them: and they shall devour, and subdue with the stones of the sling: and drinking they shall be inebriated as it were with wine, and they shall be filled as bowls, and as the horns of the altar.

16And the Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of his people: for holy stones shall be lifted up over his land.

17For what is the good thing of him, and what is his beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing forth virgins?

Important Verses in Zechariah 9

The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of all the tribes of Israel is the Lord's.

Zechariah 9:1

Behold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.

Zechariah 9:4

And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: and even he shall be left to our God, and he shall be as a governor in Juda, and Accaron as a Jebusite.

Zechariah 9:7

And the Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of his people: for holy stones shall be lifted up over his land.

Zechariah 9:16

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 9 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of…" The chapter ends with: "For what is the good thing of him, and what is his beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing forth…" 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… 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

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of messianic visions and the coming king. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of all the tribes of Israel is the Lord's." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 113). Here, Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

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 9 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Zechariah Chapter 9 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that messianic visions and the coming king is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

May your reading of Zechariah Chapter 9 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Behold, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 9 about?

Zechariah 9 contains 17 verses. It opens with "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of…" and closes with "For what is the good thing of him, and what is his beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing forth…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 9?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and of Damascus the rest thereof: for the eye of man, and of all the tribes of Israel is the Lord's." 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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