Bible Strands
Zechariah 8:22
And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts addresses the restored community in Jerusalem, framing a prophetic declaration about future geopolitical shifts. The oracle follows a promise of internal unity among Israel's cities and immediately precedes a vision of foreign individuals grasping a Jew's garment.
The words — The Hebrew verb בָּאוּ (ba'u) translates literally as "they will come," paired with עֲצוּמִים ('atzumim), meaning "mighty" or "strong." These terms anchor the prediction that powerful foreign groups will actively approach Jerusalem.
The thread — This movement of foreign nations seeking Yahweh in Jerusalem recurs in Isaiah 60:3, where kings come to the nation's dawn, and Isaiah 25:7, which describes the removal of a covering for all peoples. It extends the immediate context of Zechariah 8:21, where city residents cross-pollinate their religious seeking.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine presence in Jerusalem will draw geopolitical power to worship rather than subjugation. It requires the reader to anticipate a future where foreign nations actively seek and plead before Israel's God.
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
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 8:21 and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’
- Isaiah 25:7 On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
- Isaiah 60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
- Revelation 15:4 Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Revelation 21:24 By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.
- Isaiah 55:5 Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.”
- Galatians 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
- Isaiah 66:23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
- Jeremiah 4:2 and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”
- Micah 4:3 Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war.