Zechariah 8:9

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD of Hosts addresses the people who heard the prophets when the temple foundations were laid. He speaks to them during the active rebuilding phase in Jerusalem.

The words — The imperative תֶּחֱזַקְנָה (te.che.Zak.nah) literally means "let them be strong." It is directed at the יְדֵי (ye.dei) or "hands" of the listeners, emphasizing sustained physical and spiritual effort.

The thread — This command parallels the assurance in Isaiah 35:4 to strengthen anxious hearts. The prophetic encouragement aligns with the temple restoration narrative recorded in Ezra 5:1.

Why it lands — The text demands immediate, persistent labor from those currently rebuilding the temple. It requires readers to continue their work despite the insecurity and conflict described in Zechariah 8:10.

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; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Cross-references

Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”
1 Chronicles 22:13 Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Ezra 5:1 Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.
Haggai 2:21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth:
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
Haggai 1:1 In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating