King James Version

What Does Zechariah 10:6 Mean?

Zechariah 10:6 in the King James Version says “And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Zechariah 10:6 · KJV


Context

4

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

5

And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. the riders: or, they shall make the riders on horses ashamed

6

And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

7

And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

8

I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph (וְגִבַּרְתִּי אֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה וְאֶת־בֵּית יוֹסֵף אוֹשִׁיעַ)—remarkable promise of reunification. Judah (southern kingdom) and Joseph/Ephraim (northern kingdom) split in 922 BC, with northern tribes exiled in 722 BC. God promises to gibar (strengthen, make mighty) and yasha (save, deliver) both houses, restoring covenant unity.

And I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them (וְהוֹשַׁבְתִּים כִּי רִחַמְתִּים)—racham (compassion/mercy) motivates restoration, not Israel's merit. And they shall be as though I had not cast them off—complete forgiveness, as if exile never happened. This is grace: judgment erased, relationship restored. For I am the LORD their God, and will hear them—covenantal formula reaffirms the relationship. Paul sees the church (Jew and Gentile united) as ultimate fulfillment of this two-house reunification (Ephesians 2:11-22).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By Zechariah's time, most northern tribes remained scattered among Assyrian captivity. This prophecy looked forward to eschatological restoration when all Israel would return. Partial fulfillment came as some northern remnants joined Judah's return; ultimate fulfillment awaits Messiah's kingdom (Romans 11:25-27).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God can make us 'as though He had not cast us off' despite past judgment?
  2. How does the reunification of Judah and Ephraim illustrate reconciliation between divided Christian groups?
  3. What role does divine mercy (racham) play in your understanding of your own restoration to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְגִבַּרְתִּ֣י׀1 of 20

And I will strengthen

H1396

to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

אֶת2 of 20
H853

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

בֵּ֤ית3 of 20

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֗ה4 of 20

of Judah

H3063

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

וְאֶת5 of 20
H853

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

בֵּ֤ית6 of 20

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יוֹסֵף֙7 of 20

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אוֹשִׁ֔יעַ8 of 20

and I will save

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

וְהֽוֹשְׁבוֹתִים֙9 of 20
H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

כִּ֣י10 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רִֽחַמְתִּ֔ים11 of 20

them for I have mercy

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

וְהָי֖וּ12 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 20

upon them and they shall be as though

H834

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

לֹֽא14 of 20
H3808

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

זְנַחְתִּ֑ים15 of 20

I had not cast them off

H2186

reject, forsake, fail

כִּ֗י16 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֛י17 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָ֥ה18 of 20

for I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם19 of 20

their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְאֶעֱנֵֽם׃20 of 20

and will hear

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,


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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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