King James Version

What Does Zechariah 8:15 Mean?

Zechariah 8:15 in the King James Version says “So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.”

Zechariah 8:15 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

13

And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

14

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:

15

So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.

16

These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: execute: Heb. judge truth, and the judgment of peace

17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

Read Zechariah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. This verse completes the parallel begun in verse 14, demonstrating God's symmetrical faithfulness. The opening "So again have I thought" (ken shamti hashavti ba-yamim ha-elleh, כֵּן שַׁמְתִּי הָשַׁבְתִּי בַּיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה) uses the same verb zamam (זָמַם, "purposed") as verse 14, creating deliberate parallelism: as God irrevocably purposed judgment, so He now irrevocably purposes blessing. The doubling shamti hashavti ("I have purposed, I have determined") intensifies the certainty—God's resolve to bless equals His former resolve to judge.

The phrase "to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah" (lehetiv et-Yerushalayim ve-et-beit Yehudah, לְהֵיטִיב אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלִַם וְאֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה) employs yatav (יָטַב, "do good/well"), indicating comprehensive blessing—material prosperity, spiritual renewal, political stability, covenantal favor. God's "good" encompasses everything needed for flourishing. Jerusalem and Judah represent both the physical city/land and the covenant people who inhabit them.

The command "fear ye not" (al-tira'u, אַל־תִּירָאוּ) addresses the remnant's anxiety. Having experienced God's unwavering judgment on the fathers, they might fear His wrath still lingered. God commands them to release fear because His purpose has shifted from judgment to blessing. This isn't because God changed, but because the situation changed—they returned to Him, so He turns blessing toward them (Zechariah 1:3). Fear of judgment should give way to confidence in promised blessing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle came during the critical period of 520 BC when temple rebuilding had resumed after a 16-year hiatus. The small returned community faced enormous obstacles: economic hardship, opposition from Samaritans and surrounding peoples, Persian oversight that could turn hostile, and their own discouragement. The rebuilt temple looked pathetic compared to Solomon's glory (Haggai 2:3), and many wondered if God truly intended to restore them.

Zechariah's message provides divine assurance grounded in God's character. The phrase "in these days" specifies the present moment—God's purpose to bless isn't distant eschatological hope alone but includes present commitment to their current situation. The inclusion of "Jerusalem" (the city) and "house of Judah" (the people) shows God's concern for both place and people, physical and spiritual restoration.

The fulfillment came in stages: the temple's completion (516 BC), Ezra's spiritual reforms (458 BC), Nehemiah's wall rebuilding (445 BC), and ultimately the Messiah's coming from Judah to establish the eternal kingdom. The New Testament reveals that God's "doing good" to Jerusalem and Judah extends to all who are Abraham's spiritual children through faith in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:29). God's unchanging purpose now includes blessing all nations through the Jewish Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the parallel between God's unwavering judgment (v. 14) and unwavering blessing (v. 15) reveal His covenant faithfulness?
  2. What fears tempt you to doubt God's good purposes for you, and how can His unchanging character address those fears?
  3. How should confidence in God's determination to bless His people shape our prayers and expectations?
  4. In what ways does God's 'doing good' to Jerusalem find fulfillment in the church today?
  5. How can we distinguish between presumption on God's blessing and legitimate confidence in His promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כֵּ֣ן1 of 13
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

שַׁ֤בְתִּי2 of 13

“So again”

H7725

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

זָמַ֙מְתִּי֙3 of 13

“have I thought”

H2161

to plan, usually in a bad sense

בַּיָּמִ֣ים4 of 13

“in these days”

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

הָאֵ֔לֶּה5 of 13
H428

these or those

לְהֵיטִ֥יב6 of 13

“to do well”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֶת7 of 13
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם8 of 13

“unto Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְאֶת9 of 13
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית10 of 13

“and to the house”

H1004

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

יְהוּדָ֑ה11 of 13

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אַל12 of 13
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָֽאוּ׃13 of 13

“fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

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 8:15 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 8:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:13Micah 7:18-20Luke 12:32Jeremiah 32:42Jeremiah 29:11-14Micah 4:10-13

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Zechariah 8 →

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