Bible Strands
Zechariah 8:2
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts addresses the post-exilic community through the prophet, speaking immediately after a divine message and before a promise of His return to Jerusalem.
The words — The Hebrew קִנֵּאתִי (ki.Ne.ti) means "I am jealous," coupled with קִנְאָה (kin.'Ah) for "jealousy" and גְדוֹלָה (ge.do.Lah) for "great." These terms frame God's commitment as an active, intense passion rather than a static attribute.
The thread — This declaration aligns with Zechariah 1:14 and Joel 2:18, where God's zeal for Zion and His land is explicitly stated. It stands in contrast to Psalms 78:58, which records how idolatry provokes the same divine jealousy.
Why it lands — The text establishes that God's concern for Zion is vigorous and protective, not indifferent. It requires the reader to acknowledge a covenant God whose fervor actively safeguards His purposes and people.
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
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Cross-references
- Joel 2:18 Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people.
- Psalms 78:58 They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.
- Zechariah 1:14 Then the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion,
- Isaiah 42:13 The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:
- Nahum 1:2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
- Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
- Isaiah 63:4 For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come.
- Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.
- Ezekiel 36:5 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder.
- Nahum 1:6 Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.