And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

ZECHARIAH 10:11KJV
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Zechariah 10:11 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 10:11 mean?

Zechariah 10:11 describes God’s power to overcome great obstacles for His people, using the image of passing through a troubled sea, striking its waves, drying up deep rivers, and humbling powerful nations like Assyria and Egypt. The verse promises that God will remove the pride and authority of Israel’s enemies, making a way for His people’s deliverance.

In the book of Zechariah, God is speaking through the prophet to encourage the people of Israel, who were returning from exile and facing opposition. The verse uses dramatic language from Israel’s past—like the crossing of the Red Sea and the defeat of Egypt—to show that God will once again act powerfully on their behalf, even against strong empires.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 10:11

  • The word for "sea" (יָם, yam) often refers to a large body of water, but here it symbolizes overwhelming trouble or chaos, echoing the Exodus story.
  • "Affliction" (צָרָה, tsarah) means distress or trouble, highlighting that the passage through the sea is not easy, but God leads through hardship.
  • "Pride" (גָּאוֹן, ga'on) of Assyria points to arrogance or self-exaltation, showing that God will humble even the most powerful and proud nations.
  • "Sceptre" (שֵׁבֶט, shevet) of Egypt refers to ruling authority, so its departure means the end of Egypt’s power over Israel.

Why Zechariah 10:11 matters

  • Zechariah 10:11 clears up the idea that God’s help is only gentle or easy; it shows that God can work through turmoil and even use hardship to bring deliverance.
  • The verse connects Israel’s present struggles to their past deliverance from Egypt, reminding readers that God’s saving power is not limited to one moment in history.
  • By naming Assyria and Egypt, Zechariah 10:11 emphasizes that no worldly power is too great for God to overcome, offering hope to people facing overwhelming opposition.

Where else these words appear

“deeps” Hebrew H4688 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
  • Psalms 68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
  • Psalms 88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

“waves” Hebrew H1530 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
  • Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

“pride” Hebrew H1347 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
  • Ezekiel 16:56 For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,

“river” Hebrew H2975 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
  • Exodus 7:24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
  • Isaiah 33:21 But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.