King James Version

What Does Zechariah 12:2 Mean?

Zechariah 12:2 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both a...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. trembling: or, slumber, or, poison when: or, and also against Judah shall he be which shall be in siege against Jerusalem”

Zechariah 12:2 · KJV

Context

1

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

2

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. trembling: or, slumber, or, poison when: or, and also against Judah shall he be which shall be in siege against Jerusalem

3

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces , though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

4

In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Read Zechariah 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. God promises to transform Jerusalem from victim to instrument of judgment. The phrase "cup of trembling" (saph ra'al, סַף רַעַל) literally means "cup of reeling" or "bowl of staggering"—nations attacking Jerusalem will drink from this cup and stagger like drunkards. This reverses the prophetic image of Israel drinking God's judgment cup (Isaiah 51:17-22; Jeremiah 25:15-28)—now the attackers drink judgment.

"All the people round about" refers to surrounding hostile nations who besiege Jerusalem. The phrase "when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem" creates interpretive difficulty in Hebrew. Most likely it means the siege affects both rural Judah and urban Jerusalem—the entire covenant community faces attack. Yet God's supernatural defense will cause the attackers themselves to reel and stagger, experiencing confusion, panic, and divine judgment.

This prophecy employs warfare imagery to convey spiritual truth: God protects His people by confounding their enemies. The "cup of trembling" motif appears throughout Scripture as divine judgment (Psalm 75:8; Revelation 14:10, 16:19). What makes this remarkable is that Jerusalem itself becomes the cup—merely attempting to attack God's city causes nations to experience judgment. The prophecy assures that no coalition of hostile powers can successfully destroy what God protects.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical context includes numerous sieges of Jerusalem: Babylonian (586 BC—successful), various Hellenistic conflicts (Maccabean period), Roman sieges (70 AD, 135 AD—both successful). Yet this prophecy envisions a future siege where attackers experience supernatural judgment and Jerusalem is delivered. Partial fulfillment occurred when God defended Jerusalem from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19), but ultimate fulfillment awaits eschatological events. Zechariah's original audience, vulnerable returnees rebuilding Jerusalem's ruins, needed assurance that God would ultimately vindicate and protect His city. The New Testament expands this: the church is spiritual Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2), and God protects her against all satanic and worldly assaults. Jesus promised the gates of hell will not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). While individual believers and local churches suffer, the universal church remains invincible because God defends her. The prophecy's complete fulfillment comes when Christ returns to defend Jerusalem and establish His kingdom (Zechariah 14:3-4; Revelation 19:11-21).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of Jerusalem as a "cup of trembling" reverse expectations and demonstrate God's power to turn weakness into strength?
  2. In what ways has God made His church (spiritual Jerusalem) indestructible despite repeated attacks throughout history?
  3. What comfort does this promise offer when you feel besieged by spiritual enemies or overwhelming circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הִנֵּ֣ה1 of 17
H2009

lo!

אָ֠נֹכִי2 of 17
H595

i

שָׂ֣ם3 of 17

“Behold I will make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת4 of 17
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃5 of 17

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

סַף6 of 17

“a cup”

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

רַ֛עַל7 of 17

“of trembling”

H7478

a reeling (from intoxication)

לְכָל8 of 17
H3605

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

הָעַמִּ֖ים9 of 17

“unto all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

סָבִ֑יב10 of 17

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְגַ֧ם11 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עַל12 of 17
H5921

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

יְהוּדָ֛ה13 of 17

“both against Judah”

H3063

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

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה14 of 17
H1961

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

בַמָּצ֖וֹר15 of 17

“when they shall be in the siege”

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

עַל16 of 17
H5921

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

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃17 of 17

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 12:2 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 12:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 75:8Zechariah 14:14Isaiah 51:22-23Isaiah 51:17Revelation 16:19Revelation 14:10

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Zechariah 12 →

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