King James Version

What Does Zechariah 8:6 Mean?

Zechariah 8:6 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it als...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. marvellous: or, hard, or, difficult”

Zechariah 8:6 · KJV

Context

4

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. very: Heb. multitude of days

5

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

6

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. marvellous: or, hard, or, difficult

7

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; the west: Heb. the country of the going down of the sun

8

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Read Zechariah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. God anticipates skeptical response to His promises. The word "marvellous" (yippale, יִפָּלֵא) from pala means extraordinary, wonderful, difficult, or seemingly impossible—beyond natural expectation. The "remnant" (she'erit, שְׁאֵרִית) refers to the small community of returned exiles who might find these promises too good to be true given their meager circumstances.

The rhetorical question "should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?" challenges human limitation in understanding divine capability. What seems impossible to limited human perspective poses no difficulty for omnipotent God. The double repetition "saith the LORD of hosts" bookends the verse, emphasizing divine authority—the One who commands heavenly armies can certainly accomplish what He promises, regardless of how impossible it appears to struggling humans.

This divine challenge echoes other Scripture passages confronting unbelief. To Abraham and Sarah, God asked, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14). To Jeremiah, God declared, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27). Jesus told His disciples, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). The pattern is consistent: when God's promises exceed human comprehension, faith must rest on divine character and power, not circumstances or probabilities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The post-exilic remnant faced daunting realities in 520 BC. They were a small community (approximately 50,000 returned from exile) surrounded by hostile neighbors, living in a partially ruined city, under foreign (Persian) rule, with limited resources. The temple they were rebuilding appeared pathetic compared to Solomon's magnificent structure (Haggai 2:3). Economically, they struggled—Haggai described their condition: "Ye have sown much, and bring in little" (Haggai 1:6).

Against this backdrop, God's promises seemed fantastic: elderly people living peacefully, streets full of playing children, comprehensive prosperity, divine presence dwelling among them, and ultimately (verse 23) nations seeking out Jews because of God's evident blessing. How could this tiny, poor, vulnerable community become the object of international admiration? It seemed, literally, "marvellous"—too wonderful to believe.

Yet history vindicated God's word. The temple was completed (516 BC), Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt (Nehemiah, 445 BC), and during the Hasmonean period, Judea experienced renewed independence and prosperity. More significantly, Christ came from this remnant, establishing God's kingdom that now extends globally, with people from every nation seeking the God of Israel through Jesus. What seemed impossible to the remnant proved routine for the Sovereign LORD. The lesson endures: God's promises often exceed our imagination, but His faithfulness never exceeds His capability.

Reflection Questions

  1. What promises of God seem "too marvellous" to believe based on your current circumstances, and how does this verse challenge that unbelief?
  2. How does remembering God's past faithfulness in fulfilling impossible promises strengthen faith for present and future challenges?
  3. In what ways does the title "LORD of hosts" specifically address doubts about God's ability to accomplish His promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כֹּ֤ה1 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙2 of 18

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה3 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאֽוֹת׃4 of 18

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

כִּ֣י5 of 18
H3588

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

יִפָּלֵ֔א6 of 18

“If it be marvellous”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

בְּעֵינַי֙7 of 18

“in mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

שְׁאֵרִית֙8 of 18

“of the remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הָעָ֣ם9 of 18

“of this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֔ה10 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בַּיָּמִ֖ים11 of 18

“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

הָהֵ֑ם12 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

גַּם13 of 18
H1571

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

בְּעֵינַי֙14 of 18

“in mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יִפָּלֵ֔א15 of 18

“If it be marvellous”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

נְאֻ֖ם16 of 18

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֥ה17 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאֽוֹת׃18 of 18

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

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 8:6 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 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:27Luke 18:27Romans 4:20-21Luke 1:37Genesis 18:14Luke 1:20

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