What does Zechariah 12:4 mean?
"In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness." - Zechariah 12:4
The verse Zechariah 12:4 from the King James Version of the Bible states: "In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness."
This verse is from the Book of Zechariah, a prophetic book in the Old Testament. It is a part of a collection of prophecies that were spoken to the Israelites during the period of their return from the Babylonian exile. The book is named after the prophet Zechariah and is also known for its visions and prophecies about the restoration of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah.
In this specific verse, Zechariah is speaking about a future "day" when the Lord will intervene in the affairs of the world. The language used here is metaphorical and apocalyptic, typical of prophetic texts. The image of the Lord smiting every horse with astonishment and blindness symbolizes a great and decisive judgment that will fall upon the nations.
The striking of the horses with astonishment and the riders with madness signifies a divine intervention that will cause confusion and chaos among the enemies of God's people. In ancient times, horses were a symbol of power and strength in warfare. By smiting the horses, God is showing His authority over the military might of the nations. The blindness that is inflicted upon the horses further emphasizes the helplessness and vulnerability of the enemies.
The opening of the Lord's eyes upon the house of Judah signifies His vigilant and protective gaze upon His chosen people. This image of God "opening His eyes" is a reference to His watchful care and providence over the nation of Judah. It is a promise of divine guidance and protection in the face of adversity and opposition.
Symbolically, the verse also conveys the idea of spiritual blindness and madness. The blindness inflicted upon the horses can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual blindness that affects the nations and their leaders. The madness that befalls the riders speaks to the irrationality and folly of those who oppose the Lord. In this interpretation, the verse serves as a warning to those who are hostile to God's will, reminding them of the futility of their actions in the face of divine judgment.
The broader context of this verse is the prophetic vision of a future day of reckoning and restoration for the people of Judah. Throughout the book of Zechariah, there are recurring themes of divine judgment, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The imagery of the Lord smiting the horses and opening His eyes upon Judah is a part of this larger message of hope and deliverance for the people of Israel.
In conclusion, Zechariah 12:4 is a verse that conveys a powerful message of divine intervention and protection for God's chosen people. It depicts a future day when the Lord will bring judgment upon the nations and watch over His people with vigilant care. The imagery used in this verse carries both literal and symbolic meanings, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God over the nations and the assurance of His providential care for His people. As with many prophetic texts, this verse serves as a reminder of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the hope of redemption for those who put their trust in Him.
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Zechariah 12:4 - "In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness."
"In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness." - Zechariah 12:4
Zechariah 4:12 - "And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?"
Zechariah 4:3
Nehemiah 12:16 - "Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;"
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
Zechariah 4:4 - "So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?"
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 4:8 - "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
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 11:4 - "Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
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 4:14 - "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Zechariah 10:12 - "And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD."
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 6:4 - "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?"
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."
Zechariah 4:13 - "And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
Luke 1:11-12
Zechariah 4:1 - "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,"
Zechariah 4:3 - "And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof."
"And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?" - Zechariah 4:12
Zechariah 4:5 - "Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
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:"