King James Version

What Does Zechariah 9:4 Mean?

Zechariah 9:4 in the King James Version says “Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.”

Zechariah 9:4 · KJV

Context

2

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.

3

And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.

4

Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.

5

Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

6

And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.

Read Zechariah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire—the emphatic "Behold" (hinneh, הִנֵּה) demands attention to the shocking reversal. "The Lord" (Adonai, אֲדֹנָי) emphasizes divine sovereignty—no human agency accomplishes this, but God Himself acts. The verb "will cast her out" (yorishennah, יוֹרִשֶׁנָּה) means to dispossess or disinherit, suggesting Tyre will be expelled from her territorial possessions and commercial empire.

"And he will smite her power in the sea" (ve-hikkah va-yam cheylah, וְהִכָּה בַיָּם חֵילָהּ) contains brilliant irony. Tyre's cheyl (חַיִל, strength/wealth/power) lay precisely in her maritime position—the sea provided her defense and commercial advantage. God will strike her strength in the very element that made her powerful. The sea that protected becomes the arena of judgment. This recalls Pharaoh's army drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:27-28)—God masters the waters that humans trust for security.

"And she shall be devoured with fire" (ve-hi ba-esh te'akhel, וְהִיא בָאֵשׁ תֵּאָכֵל) predicts total destruction. Fire consumes what remains after military conquest—the final humiliation. Alexander's forces burned the city after the brutal siege, fulfilling this prophecy with precise accuracy. The progression—dispossession, military defeat, and fiery consumption—leaves nothing of Tyre's former glory. God demolishes what humans consider impregnable, teaching that all earthly powers exist at His sufferance and fall at His word.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The specific prediction of Tyre's "power in the sea" being smitten found exact fulfillment when Alexander built his unprecedented causeway in 332 BC. The siege required innovative engineering: constructing a 200-foot-wide mole (earthwork) across half a mile of water, using stone from demolished mainland Tyre. Tyrian ships attacked the construction, but Alexander brought up a fleet to protect his engineers. When the causeway reached the island, siege towers and battering rams breached the walls after seven months.

Alexander's fury at Tyrian resistance led to massacre and enslavement. Fire consumed much of the city. The causeway permanently altered geography—silt buildup eventually made it a permanent land bridge, transforming island Tyre into a peninsula (visible in modern satellite imagery). This fulfilled Ezekiel 26:4's prophecy that Tyre's stones, timber, and dust would be "laid in the midst of the water." Though Tyre was later rebuilt, it never regained its former prominence. Jesus walked through this region (Mark 7:24-31), and Paul visited Christians there (Acts 21:3-6)—the gospel conquered spiritually what Alexander conquered militarily.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's striking Tyre's power "in the sea"—her source of strength—demonstrate His ability to use our very securities against us in judgment?
  2. What does the complete destruction of seemingly invincible Tyre teach about trusting in geographic, military, or economic advantages?
  3. How should the historical precision of this prophecy's fulfillment 200+ years later strengthen our confidence in other prophetic Scripture, including end-times prophecy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
הִנֵּ֤ה1 of 9
H2009

lo!

אֲדֹנָי֙2 of 9

“Behold the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יֽוֹרִשֶׁ֔נָּה3 of 9

“will cast her out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

וְהִכָּ֥ה4 of 9

“and he will smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַיָּ֖ם5 of 9

“in the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

חֵילָ֑הּ6 of 9

“her power”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

וְהִ֖יא7 of 9
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

בָּאֵ֥שׁ8 of 9

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

תֵּאָכֵֽל׃9 of 9

“and she shall be devoured”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

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 9:4 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 9:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 28:18Ezekiel 26:17Amos 1:10Proverbs 10:2Joel 3:8Proverbs 11:4

Places in This Verse

TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Zechariah 9 →

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