Bible Strands
Zechariah 2:12
And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Zechariah delivers this declaration on behalf of Yahweh to the returned exiles in Judah, immediately following the promise that many nations will join the LORD and He will dwell among them. The message occurs at a moment of divine reclamation and national restoration.
The words — The Hebrew verb נָחַל (naChal) literally means "to inherit" or "take possession," paired with חֶלְקוֹ (chelKo) for "his portion." These terms describe Yahweh claiming Judah as His exclusive inheritance upon the land.
The thread — This language echoes Deuteronomy 32:9, where Yahweh’s portion is His people, and Jeremiah 10:16, which identifies Israel as the tribe of His inheritance. The motif continues in Zechariah 1:17, which promises that the LORD’s cities will again overflow with prosperity.
Why it lands — The text asserts that divine ownership precedes human restoration, requiring a posture of submission before the LORD who has roused Himself from His holy dwelling. It demands acknowledgment of Yahweh’s sovereign choice of Judah and Jerusalem without human merit.
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 the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 1:17 Proclaim further that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘My cities will again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”
- Deuteronomy 32:9 But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.
- Jeremiah 10:16 The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name.
- Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Psalms 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.
- Psalms 135:4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.
- Isaiah 41:9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.
- Jeremiah 51:19 The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name.