King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:21 Mean?

Zechariah 1:21 in the King James Version says “Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

Zechariah 1:21 · KJV


Context

19

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

20

And the LORD shewed me four carpenters.

21

Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The angel explains the craftsmen's purpose: 'These are the horns which have scattered Judah... and these are come to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.' The Hebrew 'le-harid' (to terrify) indicates causing trembling/panic—those who scattered God's people will themselves experience terror. 'Cast out/down' (le-yado'ah) means to drive away or throw down these horns (symbols of power). This divine retribution demonstrates the lex talionis principle: those who scattered will be scattered, those who terrorized will be terrorized. Yet God's justice serves redemptive purposes—clearing away obstacles to His people's restoration. This anticipates Revelation's vision of Christ defeating all hostile powers and establishing His kingdom (Revelation 11:15, 19:11-21). God is zealous for His glory and His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historically fulfilled as empires fell in succession: Babylon to Persia, Persia to Greece, Greece to Rome. Each oppressor of God's people eventually faced judgment. For Zechariah's audience in 520 BC, this vision assured them that though currently under Persian dominion (even if benevolent), God would ultimately free them completely. The eschatological horizon points to Messiah's reign when all Gentile powers will submit to Israel's King (Philippians 2:9-11). The New Testament reveals the mystery: Gentiles who believe are grafted into God's covenant people (Romans 11:17-24, Ephesians 2:11-22), while unbelieving Israel faces temporary hardening until 'the fullness of the Gentiles has come in' (Romans 11:25).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God will judge all who oppose His purposes help me endure present injustice patiently?
  2. Do I trust God's timing in bringing down oppressive powers, or do I grow impatient with His patience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
לֵאמֹ֗ר1 of 32

And he spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֛ה2 of 32
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֵ֥לֶּה3 of 32
H428

these or those

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ4 of 32

I What come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לַֽעֲשׂ֑וֹת5 of 32

these to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לֵאמֹ֗ר6 of 32

And he spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֵאמֹ֗ר7 of 32

And he spake

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֣לֶּה8 of 32
H428

these or those

קֶ֛רֶן9 of 32

These are the horns

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

אֲשֶׁר10 of 32
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְזָרוֹתָֽהּ׃11 of 32

to scatter

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

אֶת12 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוּדָ֖ה13 of 32

Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

כְּפִי14 of 32

so that

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

אִישׁ֙15 of 32

no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֹא16 of 32
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים17 of 32

did lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

רֹאשׁ֔וֹ18 of 32

his head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ19 of 32

I What come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵ֙לֶּה֙20 of 32
H428

these or those

לְהַחֲרִ֣יד21 of 32

to fray

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

אֹתָ֔ם22 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְיַדּ֞וֹת23 of 32

them to cast out

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶת24 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קֶ֛רֶן25 of 32

These are the horns

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

הַגּוֹיִ֗ם26 of 32

of the Gentiles

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים27 of 32

did lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

קֶ֛רֶן28 of 32

These are the horns

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

אֶל29 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ30 of 32

over the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָ֖ה31 of 32

Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לְזָרוֹתָֽהּ׃32 of 32

to scatter

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 1:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 1:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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