King James Version

What Does Zechariah 10:11 Mean?

Zechariah 10:11 in the King James Version says “And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river ... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

Zechariah 10:11 · KJV


Context

9

And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

10

I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.

11

And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

12

And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction (וְעָבַר בַּיָּם צָרָה)—new Exodus typology, recalling Israel's Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14). Tsarah (affliction/trouble) acknowledges that return involves hardship, not effortless deliverance. And shall smite the waves in the sea—God strikes the waters as He did at the Red Sea, demonstrating continued sovereign power over chaos/obstacles.

And all the deeps of the river shall dry up (וְהֹבִישׁוּ כָּל־מְצוּלוֹת יְאֹר)—yᵉ'or typically means Nile, connecting to Exodus liberation from Egypt. And the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart—both oppressor nations will lose power. This is political prophecy: empires that enslaved Israel will fall. Historically fulfilled through Persian defeat of both Egypt and Mesopotamian powers; eschatologically points to all anti-God kingdoms falling before Messiah's return.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Persian conquest (539 BC) effectively ended Assyrian (already fallen to Babylon, 612 BC) and Egyptian imperial power, allowing Jewish return. This verse interprets geopolitics theologically: God orchestrates empire-collapse to facilitate His people's restoration. It foreshadows Christ's victory over all spiritual 'principalities and powers' (Colossians 2:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'seas' and 'rivers' (obstacles) stand between your current state and God's promised destination for you?
  2. How does knowing that deliverance may involve 'passing through affliction' prepare you for the journey?
  3. What modern 'Egypts and Assyrias' (oppressive powers) need to fall for God's kingdom purposes to advance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְעָבַ֨ר1 of 16

And he shall pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בַיָּם֙2 of 16

in the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

צָרָ֗ה3 of 16

with affliction

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וְהִכָּ֤ה4 of 16

and shall smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַיָּם֙5 of 16

in the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

גַּלִּ֔ים6 of 16

the waves

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

וְהֹבִ֕ישׁוּ7 of 16

shall dry up

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

כֹּ֖ל8 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְצוּל֣וֹת9 of 16

and all the deeps

H4688

a deep place (of water or mud)

יְאֹ֑ר10 of 16

of the river

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

וְהוּרַד֙11 of 16

shall be brought down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

גְּא֣וֹן12 of 16

and the pride

H1347

the same as h1346

אַשּׁ֔וּר13 of 16

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וְשֵׁ֥בֶט14 of 16

and the sceptre

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

מִצְרַ֖יִם15 of 16

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

יָסֽוּר׃16 of 16

shall depart away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)


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 10:11 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 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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