God’s Word Translation
Zechariah 8:23
23This is what the Lord of Armies says: In those days ten people from every language found among the nations will take hold of the clothes of a Jew. They will say, “Let us go with you because we have heard that God is with you.”
Zechariah 8:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’ ”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ”
Context of Zechariah 8:23
21The citizens of one city will come to another city, saying, “Let’s make a habit of going to ask the Lord for a blessing and to seek the Lord of Armies. I’m also going.” 22Many people and powerful nations will come to seek the Lord of Armies in Jerusalem and to ask the Lord for a blessing. This is what the Lord of Armies says: In those days ten people from every language found among the nations will take hold of the clothes of a Jew. They will say, “Let us go with you because we have heard that God is with you.”
Read all of Zechariah 8Zechariah 8:23 word by word
כֹּ֥ה אָמַר֮ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָאוֹת֒ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔מָּה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל לְשֹׁנ֣וֹת הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וְֽהֶחֱזִ֡יקוּ בִּכְנַף֩ אִ֨ישׁ יְהוּדִ֜י לֵאמֹ֗ר נֵֽלְכָה֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ אֱלֹהִ֥ים עִמָּכֶֽם׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- of hostsצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · HostsH6635
- In those daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- that tenעֶשֶׂר‛eώer ‛ăώârâh · tenH6235
- menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- shall take holdחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
- out of all languagesלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongue: languageH3956
- of the nationsגּוֹיgôy gôy · nationH1471
- of the skirtכָּנָףkânâph · wingH3671
- of him that is a Jewיְהוּדִיyehûdîy · JewH3064
- of him that is a Jewאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- We will goיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
- with you: for we have heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
Cross-references for Zechariah 8:23
- Genesis 31:7Your father has cheated me. He has changed my wages 10 times. But God hasn’t let him harm me.
- Numbers 14:22none of the people who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I did in Egypt and in the desert will see the land which I promised their ancestors. They have tested me now ten times and refused to obey me.
- Job 19:3You have insulted me ten times now. You’re not even ashamed of mistreating me.
- Ecclesiastes 11:2Divide what you have into seven parts, or even into eight, because you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth.
- Micah 5:5This man will be their peace. When the Assyrians invade our land and trample our palaces, we will attack them with seven shepherds and eight leaders.
- Matthew 18:21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked him, “Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?”
- Isaiah 66:18Because of their actions and their thoughts, I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They will come and see my glory.
- Revelation 7:9After these things I saw a large crowd from every nation, tribe, people, and language. No one was able to count how many people there were. They were standing in front of the throne and the lamb. They were wearing white robes, holding palm branches in their hands,
- Revelation 14:6I saw another angel flying overhead with the everlasting Good News to spread to those who live on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
- 1 Samuel 15:27When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
- Isaiah 3:6A person will grab one of his relatives from his father’s family and say, “You have a coat. You’ll be our leader. This pile of ruins will be under your control.”
- Isaiah 4:1When that day comes, seven women will grab one man and say, “We’ll eat our own food and provide our own clothes. Just let us marry you for your name. Take away our disgrace.”
- Luke 8:44She came up behind Jesus, touched the edge of his clothes, and her bleeding stopped at once.
- Acts 19:12People would take handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul’s skin to those who were sick. Their sicknesses would be cured, and evil spirits would leave them.
- Numbers 10:29Moses said to his brother-in-law Hobab, son of Reuel the Midianite, “We are going to the place the Lord promised to give us. Come with us. We will be good to you, because the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
- Ruth 1:16But Ruth answered, “Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Commentaries on Zechariah 8:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Ten men - shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew - The converts from among the Gentiles shall be to the Jews as ten to one. But ten may here signify a great number, without comparison. And from this scripture it appears as if the Jews, converted to God, should be the instruments of converting many Gentiles. See on Isaiah 3:6; (note). Catching hold of the skirt is a gesture naturally used to entreat assistance and protection. This and the three…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Ten men of all languages of the nations - Ten is the symbol of a whole, all the numbers before it meeting in it and starting again from it. The day of Pentecost was to be the reversal of the confusion of Babel; all were to have one voice, as God had said, “It (the time) shall come to gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see My glory” Isaiah 66:18. They shall lay hold of the skirt of one man who is a Jew - Jerome: “That is, of the Lord…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-23Verses 18-23 When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23God is with you: God’s presence brings back the ideal relationship between God and people (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 24:9–11; 25:8; Isaiah 7:14; 57:15; Ezekiel 43:7; John 1:14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. ten--a definite number for an indefinite. So in Le 22:26; Nu 14:22. of all languages of the nations--that is, of nations of all languages (compare Is 66:18; Re 7:9). take hold of the skirt--a gesture of suppliant entreaty as to a superior. Compare Is 3:6; 4:1, on a different occasion. The Gentiles shall eagerly seek to share the religious privileges of the Jew. The skirt with a fringe and blue ribbon upon it (Nu 15:38; De 22:12) was a distinguishing…Read the comment
Topics related to Zechariah 8:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Zechariah 8
- 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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