Bible Strands
Zechariah 12:3
On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD declares to Judah and Jerusalem what will occur on a future day when every nation gathers against the city. The speaker positions Himself as the active agent who will alter the outcome of that siege.
The words — The Hebrew term מַֽעֲמָסָה (ma.'a.ma.Sah) literally means "burden" or "heavy weight," directly modifying אֶ֤בֶן ('E.ven), "stone." The text states that Jerusalem will function as an immovable, crushing load for any people attempting to move it.
The thread — The imagery of a divinely placed stone causing injury or destruction appears in Daniel 2:34 and Matthew 21:44. The specific scenario of all nations gathering against Jerusalem is reiterated in Zechariah 14:2.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge that collective human opposition against God’s city results in self-inflicted ruin rather than conquest. It demands acceptance of divine sovereignty over geopolitical conflict without offering any strategic advantage to the aggressors.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Cross-references
- Matthew 21:44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
- Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city.
- Daniel 2:34 As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them.
- Luke 20:18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
- Isaiah 66:14 When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies.
- Ezekiel 38:1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
- Zechariah 13:1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
- Zechariah 14:6 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost.
- Zechariah 12:11 On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
- Isaiah 60:12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.