What does Zechariah 10:12 mean?
"And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD." - Zechariah 10:12

"Zechariah 10:12 (KJV) - And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD."
The book of Zechariah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, and it addresses the prophecy and promises of the coming kingdom of God. In this verse, the prophet Zechariah is speaking on behalf of the Lord, reassuring the people of Israel of the strength and guidance they will receive from the Lord.
The verse begins with the promise of strength from the Lord. This strength is not merely physical, but also spiritual and emotional. It signifies the Lord's ability to sustain and uphold his people in times of difficulty and trials. This promise of strength would have been particularly comforting to the Israelites, who had experienced many hardships and struggles throughout their history.
The phrase "they shall walk up and down in his name" is a symbolic representation of the Israelites' renewed relationship with the Lord. To walk in someone's name means to act on their behalf and in alignment with their will. This signifies that the Israelites will be guided by the Lord in all their actions, and they will be empowered to live in a way that reflects the character and desires of God.
The verse ends with the declaration "saith the LORD," emphasizing that these promises are not just the words of the prophet Zechariah, but are the very words of God Himself. This serves to highlight the authority and certainty of these promises, assuring the Israelites of their trustworthiness.
The broader context of this verse is important to consider in order to fully understand its significance. The book of Zechariah was written during a time of great struggle for the Israelites, following their return from exile in Babylon. The people were working to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and faced many challenges and opposition. In this context, the promises of strength and guidance from the Lord would have been incredibly meaningful and reassuring to the Israelites.
Furthermore, the verse can also be understood in the broader context of the entire Bible. The theme of God's strength and guidance for His people can be seen throughout the Old and New Testaments. For example, in Isaiah 40:29, it says, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." This reinforces the idea that God is the source of strength for His people, and that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The symbolism found in this verse is rich and meaningful. The idea of walking in the name of the Lord represents a deep and intimate relationship with God, where His presence and guidance are ever-present. It also communicates the idea of purposeful and deliberate living, where one's actions are aligned with the will and character of God. This speaks to the broader theme of obedience and faithfulness to God, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.
In conclusion, Zechariah 10:12 (KJV) offers a powerful message of hope and assurance to the people of Israel, as well as to all believers. It emphasizes the strength and guidance provided by the Lord, and the intimate relationship that His people can have with Him. The verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire to strengthen and empower His people to walk in alignment with His will. It is a timeless message that continues to resonate with believers today, offering comfort and reassurance in times of struggle and uncertainty.
Have questions about Zechariah 10:12?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Zechariah 10:12 Artwork
Zechariah 10:12 - "And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD."
"And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD." - Zechariah 10:12
Nehemiah 12:16 - "Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;"
Zechariah 12:10 - "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
Ezra 10:26 - "And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah."
Zechariah 12:14 - "All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart."
Zechariah 12:11 - "In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
"Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;" - Nehemiah 12:16
Nehemiah 12:41 - "And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;"
Zechariah 5:10 - "Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?"
Zechariah 12:12 - "And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;"
Zechariah 12:13 - "The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
Zechariah 2:12 - "And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again."
Zechariah 12:9 - "¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."
Zechariah 12:5 - "And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God."
Luke 1:11-12
Zechariah 10:8 - "I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased."
Zechariah 10:10 - "I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them."
Zechariah 2:10 - "¶ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD."
Zechariah 10:9 - "And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again."
Zechariah 1:10 - "And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth."
Zechariah 3:10 - "In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree."
Zechariah 6:10 - "Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;"
Zechariah 9:12 - "¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;"
Nehemiah 12:35 - "And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:"
Zechariah 10:4 - "Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together."
Zechariah 7:10 - "And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
"And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah." - Ezra 10:26
Zechariah 12:7 - "The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah."