King James Version

What Does Zechariah 12:3 Mean?

Zechariah 12:3 in the King James Version says “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 12:3 · 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.

5

And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. The inhabitants: or, There is strength to me and to the inhabitants, etc

Read Zechariah 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The metaphor shifts from "cup of trembling" to "burdensome stone" (eben ma'amasah, אֶבֶן מַעֲמָסָה)—a heavy stone that injures those attempting to lift it. Ancient athletic competitions included lifting heavy stones; attempting to move a stone too heavy resulted in severe injury, hernias, or crushed limbs. The phrase "burden themselves with it" (ha-amelim otah) means those who load it upon themselves to carry or move it.

The devastating consequence: "shall be cut in pieces" (sarot yissaretu, שָׂרוֹט יִשָּׂרֵטוּ)—literally "gashed, they shall be gashed" or "severely lacerated." The Hebrew uses emphatic repetition suggesting terrible wounds. Those who attack Jerusalem won't merely fail—they'll be destroyed in the attempt. This intensifies verse 2's judgment: first staggering (cup of trembling), now laceration (burdensome stone).

The scope expands: "though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." No coalition, however universal, can successfully attack God's chosen city. This echoes Psalm 2:1-4 where nations conspire against the LORD and His Anointed, but God laughs at their futile rebellion. The prophecy assures that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition, regardless of numbers or power. Jerusalem becomes immovable, unmovable—fixed by divine decree, and any attempt to dislodge it results in the attacker's destruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah's prophecy envisions escalating hostility: surrounding peoples (v. 2), then all earth's peoples (v. 3) gather against Jerusalem. This universal coalition hasn't occurred historically—even Rome's siege involved only Roman legions, not global alliance. The prophecy points forward to eschatological events, possibly Armageddon when nations gather against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 16:14-16, 19:19). The church fathers and Reformers saw this fulfilled spiritually: all worldly powers oppose God's kingdom, yet the church prevails because Christ defends her. Historically, various empires attempted to eradicate Christianity—Roman persecution, Islamic conquests, Communist suppression, secular hostility—yet the church not only survives but grows. Those regimes that most violently opposed Christianity (Roman, Soviet, etc.) collapsed or converted, proving the "burdensome stone" principle: attacking God's people destroys the attacker. Ultimately, Christ will return when the world unites against Jerusalem/the church, and He will destroy all hostile powers definitively (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 19:11-21).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the image of Jerusalem as an unmovable, injurious stone teach about attempting to oppose God's purposes?
  2. How has history demonstrated that empires and ideologies attacking the church ultimately destroy themselves?
  3. In what ways does knowing that God's kingdom is indestructible encourage perseverance when facing cultural or personal opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 19
H1961

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

בַיּוֹם2 of 19

“And in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַ֠הוּא3 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אָשִׂ֨ים4 of 19

“will I make”

H7760

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

אֶת5 of 19
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם6 of 19

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶ֤בֶן7 of 19

“stone”

H68

a stone

מַֽעֲמָסָה֙8 of 19

“a burdensome”

H4614

burdensomeness

לְכָל9 of 19
H3605

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

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים10 of 19

“for all people”

H5971

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

כָּל11 of 19
H3605

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

עֹמְסֶ֖יהָ12 of 19

“all that burden”

H6006

to load, i.e., impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction)

יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ13 of 19

“themselves with it shall be cut in pieces”

H8295

to gash

יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ14 of 19

“themselves with it shall be cut in pieces”

H8295

to gash

וְנֶאֶסְפ֣וּ15 of 19

“be gathered together”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

עָלֶ֔יהָ16 of 19
H5921

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

כֹּ֖ל17 of 19
H3605

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

גּוֹיֵ֥י18 of 19

“though all the people”

H1471

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃19 of 19

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 12:3 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 12:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:44Zechariah 14:2-4Daniel 2:34-35Luke 20:18Ezekiel 38:1-23Zechariah 13:1

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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