King James Version

What Does Zechariah 9:15 Mean?

Zechariah 9:15 in the King James Version says “The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. with: or, the stones of the sling be: or, fill both the bowls, etc”

Zechariah 9:15 · KJV

Context

13

When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

14

And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

15

The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. with: or, the stones of the sling be: or, fill both the bowls, etc

16

And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

17

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. cheerful: or, grow, or, speak

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD of hosts shall defend them (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת יָגֵן עֲלֵיהֶם)—Yahweh Tzva'ot, 'LORD of armies,' emphasizes God's military might. And they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones—Israel will overcome enemies using seemingly primitive weapons (slings), demonstrating that victory comes from God, not superior armaments (cf. David versus Goliath, 1 Samuel 17).

And they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine—the imagery shifts to celebratory feasting after victory. And they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar (וּמָלְאוּ כַּמִּזְרָק כְּזָוִיּוֹת מִזְבֵּחַ)—comparing warriors to sacrificial vessels full of blood is jarring but deliberate. Just as altar bowls received sacrificial blood in worship, so Israel's victory over God's enemies is itself an act of worship, a holy offering. This anticipates Christ's victory where His blood consecrates the new covenant altar.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Maccabean victories were remarkable precisely because Jewish forces were numerically inferior and poorly equipped compared to Seleucid professional armies. Their success validated this prophecy—God defended them beyond natural explanation. The altar imagery connects military victory to temple restoration (the Maccabees rededicated the temple in 164 BC, commemorated as Hanukkah).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding spiritual warfare as 'worship' change your approach to confronting evil?
  2. What does it mean that God often chooses 'sling stones' (weak instruments) to accomplish His purposes?
  3. In what sense is Christ's sacrifice the ultimate fulfillment of this 'altar blood' imagery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יְהוָ֣ה1 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֮2 of 16

“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

יָגֵ֣ן3 of 16

“shall defend”

H1598

to hedge about, i.e., (generally) protect

עֲלֵיהֶם֒4 of 16
H5921

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

וְאָכְל֗וּ5 of 16

“them and they shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙6 of 16

“and subdue”

H3533

to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate

אַבְנֵי7 of 16

“stones”

H68

a stone

קֶ֔לַע8 of 16

“with sling”

H7050

a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself

וְשָׁת֥וּ9 of 16

“and they shall drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

הָמ֖וּ10 of 16

“and make a noise”

H1993

to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

כְּמוֹ11 of 16
H3644

as, thus, so

יָ֑יִן12 of 16

“as through wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וּמָֽלְאוּ֙13 of 16

“and they shall be filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

כַּמִּזְרָ֔ק14 of 16

“like bowls”

H4219

a bowl (as if for sprinkling)

כְּזָוִיּ֖וֹת15 of 16

“and as the corners”

H2106

an angle (as projecting), i.e., (by implication) a corner-column (or anta)

מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃16 of 16

“of the altar”

H4196

an altar

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 9:15 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 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 12:6Zechariah 10:7Zechariah 12:8Psalms 78:65Zechariah 10:5Exodus 27:2

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