King James Version

What Does Zechariah 12:10 Mean?

Zechariah 12:10 in the King James Version says “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Zechariah 12:10 · KJV


Context

8

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. feeble: or, abject: Heb. fallen

9

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

11

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

12

And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; every: Heb. families, families


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. This is one of the Old Testament's most remarkable Messianic prophecies. "I will pour" (shafakhti) describes abundant outpouring of the Spirit. "Spirit of grace and supplications" (ruach chen ve-tachanun) enables both divine favor and responsive prayer. The shocking phrase "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced" has God Himself pierced—fulfilled in Christ's crucifixion when soldiers pierced His side (John 19:34-37). The mourning is national, profound, comparing to losing an only son or firstborn. Revelation 1:7 applies this to Christ's return when all will see Him whom they pierced.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa 520-518 BC, this prophecy looked forward centuries to Christ. John explicitly quotes verse 10 regarding the crucifixion (John 19:37). The mourning anticipates Israel's eventual recognition of their rejected Messiah—both at the cross (some repented) and eschatologically when national Israel turns to Christ (Romans 11:25-27). The first-person divine voice ("me whom they have pierced") mysteriously identifies Yahweh with the pierced Messiah, anticipating Christ's deity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Yahweh identifying as the pierced one support Christ's deity?
  2. What does the Spirit's outpouring enabling recognition of Christ teach about conversion?
  3. How will this prophecy be ultimately fulfilled when Christ returns?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְשָׁפַכְתִּי֩1 of 25

And I will pour

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

עַל2 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֵּ֨ית3 of 25

upon the house

H1004

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

דָּוִ֜יד4 of 25

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְעַ֣ל׀5 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יוֹשֵׁ֣ב6 of 25

and upon the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם7 of 25

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

ר֤וּחַ8 of 25

the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

חֵן֙9 of 25

of grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

וְתַ֣חֲנוּנִ֔ים10 of 25

and of supplications

H8469

earnest prayer

וְהִבִּ֥יטוּ11 of 25

and they shall look

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

אֵלַ֖י12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֣ת13 of 25
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר14 of 25
H834

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

דָּקָ֑רוּ15 of 25

upon me whom they have pierced

H1856

to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile

כְּמִסְפֵּד֙16 of 25

for him as one mourneth

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

עָלָ֗יו17 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כְּמִסְפֵּד֙18 of 25

for him as one mourneth

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

עַל19 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיָּחִ֔יד20 of 25

for his only

H3173

properly, united, i.e., sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced)

כְּהָמֵ֥ר21 of 25

for him as one that is in bitterness

H4843

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

עָלָ֖יו22 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כְּהָמֵ֥ר23 of 25

for him as one that is in bitterness

H4843

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

עַֽל24 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבְּכֽוֹר׃25 of 25

for his firstborn

H1060

first-born; hence, chief


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 12:10 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 12:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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