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.

ZECHARIAH 1:15KJV
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Zechariah 1:15 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 1:15 mean?

Zechariah 1:15 says that God is very angry with the nations who are living comfortably, because when God was only a little displeased with His people, these nations made things even worse for them. The verse shows that God noticed how others took advantage of Israel’s troubles and increased their suffering.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Zechariah to the returned exiles of Judah. The situation is that God had allowed some hardship for His people as discipline, but the surrounding nations went too far and added to their misery. This verse highlights God’s concern for justice and His awareness of how others treat His people.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 1:15

  • "very" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) and "sore" (קֶצֶף, qetsef): Together, these words emphasize the intensity of God’s anger. The Hebrew here piles up strong terms to show just how upset God is, not just mildly but deeply.
  • "heathen" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word means “nations” or “peoples,” referring to the non-Israelite nations around Judah. It is not just a religious term but points to all foreign peoples who mistreated Israel.
  • "ease" (שָׁלֵו, shalev): This word means being at rest or living securely. The nations are pictured as unconcerned and comfortable while Israel suffers.
  • "helped" (עָזַר, azar) and "affliction" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): The word for “helped” here means to assist or further something, and “affliction” means evil or trouble. The nations did not just passively watch but actively made Israel’s hardship worse.

Why Zechariah 1:15 matters

  • This verse corrects the idea that God ignores injustice done to His people, showing instead that He holds other nations accountable for going beyond His intended discipline.
  • Zechariah 1:15 sets up the message of comfort and restoration for Israel that follows in the book, making clear that God’s anger is now directed at those who harmed them.
  • The verse explains why God’s judgment would later fall on the nations, connecting Israel’s suffering to a bigger picture of God’s justice and care.

Where else these words appear

“ease” Hebrew H7600 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
  • Isaiah 32:9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
  • Isaiah 33:20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

“sore” Hebrew H7110 · used in 29 verses

  • Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
  • 2 Chronicles 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
  • Isaiah 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

“displeased” Hebrew H7107 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 40:2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • Isaiah 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

“helped” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
  • Psalms 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.