God’s Word Translation
Zechariah 1:15
15and I’m very angry with the nations who think they are at ease. I was only a little angry, but they made things worse.
Zechariah 1:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
- New International Version (NIV)and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment.’
- English Standard Version (ESV)And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, And they helped—but with evil intent.”
Context of Zechariah 1:15
13The Lord responded to the angel who was speaking with me, using kind and comforting words. 14The angel who was speaking with me said, “Announce: This is what the Lord of Armies says: I’m very jealous about Jerusalem and Zion, and I’m very angry with the nations who think they are at ease. I was only a little angry, but they made things worse. 16This is what the Lord of Armies says: I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion. My house will be rebuilt in it, declares the Lord of Armies. A measuring line will be used to rebuild Jerusalem. 17“Announce again: This is what the Lord of Armies says: My cities will overflow with prosperity once more. The Lord will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem.”
Read all of Zechariah 1Zechariah 1:15 word by word
וְקֶ֤צֶף גָּדוֹל֙ אֲנִ֣י קֹצֵ֔ף עַל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם הַשַּֽׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ קָצַ֣פְתִּי מְּעָ֔ט וְהֵ֖מָּה עָזְר֥וּ לְרָעָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And I am veryגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- soreקֶ֫צֶףqetseph · wrathH7110
- displeasedקָצַףqâtsaph · be angryH7107
- with the heathenגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
- at easeשַׁאֲנָןsha'ănân · secureH7600
- for I was but a littleמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
- and they helpedעָזַר‛âzar · to helpH5826
- forward the afflictionרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: harmH7451
Cross-references for Zechariah 1:15
- Zechariah 1:2“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors.
- Isaiah 47:7You said, “I will always be a queen.” You didn’t carefully consider these things or keep in mind how they would end.
- Jeremiah 48:11“Moab has lived securely ever since it was young. Its people are like wine left to settle in a jar. They aren’t poured from one jar to another. They haven’t gone into captivity. That is why its flavor has remained the same, and its aroma hasn’t changed.
- Amos 6:1How horrible it will be for those who are at ease in Zion, for those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, and for the heads of the leading nations, to whom the nation of Israel comes.
- Revelation 18:7She gave herself glory and luxury. Now give her just as much torture and misery. She says to herself, ‘I’m a queen on a throne, not a widow. I’ll never be miserable.’
- Isaiah 54:8I hid my face from you for a moment in a burst of anger, but I will have compassion on you with everlasting kindness,” says the Lord your defender.
- Hebrews 12:6The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.”
- Psalms 69:26They persecute the one you have struck, and they talk about the pain of those you have wounded.
- Psalms 83:2Look, your enemies are in an uproar. Those who hate you hold their heads high.
- Psalms 137:7O Lord, remember the people of Edom. Remember what they did the day Jerusalem ⌞was captured⌟. They said, “Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation.”
- Isaiah 10:5“How horrible it will be for Assyria! It is the rod of my anger. My fury is the staff in the Assyrians’ hands.
- Isaiah 47:6I was angry with my people. I dishonored those who belong to me. I put them under your control. You showed them no mercy. You placed a heavy burden on old people.
- Jeremiah 51:24“In your presence I will pay back Babylon and all the people who live in Babylon for all the evil things that they did in Zion,” declares the Lord.
- Ezekiel 25:3Tell the Ammonites, ‘Listen to the Almighty Lord’s word. This is what the Almighty Lord says: You were glad when my holy place was dishonored, when the land of Israel was ruined, and when the nation of Judah went into exile.
- Ezekiel 26:2“Son of man, Tyre said this about Jerusalem: ‘The city that was the gateway for the nations is destroyed, and its doors are swung open to me. I’ll get rich now that it’s ruined.’
- Ezekiel 29:6Then all those living in Egypt will know that I am the Lord. Egypt, you have become like a ⌞broken⌟ walking stick to the nation of Israel.
Commentaries on Zechariah 1:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15I was but a little displeased - I was justly displeased with my people, and I gave their enemies a commission against them; but they carried this far beyond my design by oppression and cruelty; and now they shall suffer in their turn.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15I am sore displeased - literally “with great anger am I angered against the nations which are at ease.” The form of the words shows that the greatness of the displeasure of God against those who oppress His people, is proportionate to the great and tender love toward themselves. God had been angered indeed with His people; with their enemies He was “angered with a great anger;” and that the more, because they were at ease, in unfeeling self-enjoyment amid…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-17Verses 7-17 The prophet saw a dark, shady grove, hidden by hills. This represented the low, melancholy condition of the Jewish church. A man like a warrior sat on a red horse, in the midst of this shady myrtle-grove. Though the church was in a low condition, Christ was present in the midst, ready to appear for the relief of his people. Behind him were angels ready to be employed by him, some in acts of judgment, others of mercy, others in mixed events…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-17Zechariah's first vision shows God's concern for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:7–15). This is followed by a response (Zechariah 1:16–17) that confirms God's plans to rebuild the temple and restore the city's prosperity.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. very sore displeased with the heathen--in contrast with "I was but a little displeased" with My people. God's displeasure with His people is temporary and for their chastening; with the heathen oppressors, it is final and fatal (Jr 30:11). God's instruments for chastising His people, when He has done with them, He casts into the fire. are at ease--carnally secure. A stronger phrase than "is at rest" (Zec 1:11). They are "at ease," but as I am "sore…Read the comment
Topics related to Zechariah 1:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Zechariah 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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