King James Version

What Does Zechariah 9:17 Mean?

Zechariah 9:17 in the King James Version says “For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the mai...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 9:17 · KJV

Context

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

Read Zechariah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! (כִּי מַה־טּוּבוֹ וּמַה־יָפְיוֹ)—dual exclamation emphasizes God's tuv (goodness, moral excellence) and yofi (beauty, aesthetic perfection). Biblical Hebrew rarely uses such extravagant praise, making this verse's double superlative noteworthy. God isn't merely functional (providing salvation); He is supremely desirable in Himself.

Corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids—agricultural abundance symbolizes covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 7:13). Dagan (grain) and tirosh (new wine) represent comprehensive provision. The result is joy: young men and women flourishing under God's blessing. This points forward to messianic banquet imagery (Isaiah 25:6, Matthew 26:29) where material and spiritual blessings merge. True prosperity flows from knowing God's goodness and beauty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Judah struggled economically during initial decades of return. Zechariah promises that faithful temple-rebuilding and covenant-keeping will result in restored agricultural blessing. This counters Haggai's contemporary warnings about failed harvests due to neglecting God's house (Haggai 1:6-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you cultivate wonder at God's goodness and beauty, not just His usefulness?
  2. What is the connection between recognizing God's glory and experiencing joy in His material provision?
  3. How does Jesus as the 'bread of life' and 'true vine' fulfill this prophecy's imagery of grain and wine?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כִּ֥י1 of 10
H3588

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

מַה2 of 10
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

טּוּב֖וֹ3 of 10

“For how great is his goodness”

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

וּמַה4 of 10
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יָפְי֑וֹ5 of 10

“and how great is his beauty”

H3308

beauty

דָּגָן֙6 of 10

“corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

בַּֽחוּרִ֔ים7 of 10

“shall make the young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

וְתִיר֖וֹשׁ8 of 10

“and new wine”

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

יְנוֹבֵ֥ב9 of 10

“cheerful”

H5107

to germinate, i.e., (figuratively) to (causatively, make) flourish; also (of words), to utter

בְּתֻלֽוֹת׃10 of 10

“the maids”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 33:171 John 4:8-11Isaiah 62:8-9Revelation 5:12-14Song of Solomon 7:9Psalms 50:2

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