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 12:4KJV
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Zechariah 12:4 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 12:4 mean?

Zechariah 12:4 describes a day when the LORD will confuse and strike the enemies of Judah, causing their horses to panic and their riders to lose their senses, while God watches over and protects the people of Judah. The verse paints a picture of God actively defending Judah by bringing chaos to those who come against them.

In this verse, the prophet Zechariah is speaking God’s words to the people of Judah during a time when they faced threats from surrounding nations. The language uses imagery of war—horses and riders—to show how God will disrupt the plans of Judah’s enemies. The LORD’s promise to “open mine eyes upon the house of Judah” means He will be especially attentive and caring toward His people in the midst of danger.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 12:4

  • "Astonishment" (תִּמָּהוֹן, timmahon): This word means a kind of overwhelming confusion or panic. It highlights that the horses, which were key to ancient warfare, will be rendered useless by God’s intervention.
  • "Madness" (שִׁגָּעוֹן, shiggā‘ôn): This word means a kind of irrational frenzy or insanity. The riders, who should be in control, will instead lose their ability to act wisely, making the enemy forces ineffective.
  • "Open" (פָּקַח, pāqach) and "eyes" (עַיִן, ‘ayin): Together, these words mean that God is watching closely and actively caring for Judah, not just passively observing.
  • "Blindness" (עִוָּרוֹן, ‘ivvaron): This word means a literal or figurative inability to see. God will cause the enemy’s horses to be unable to function, further protecting Judah.

Why Zechariah 12:4 matters

  • Zechariah 12:4 shows that God’s protection is not just spiritual but also practical, affecting the very means by which Judah’s enemies would attack.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s personal attention to Judah (“open mine eyes”), which reassures the people that they are not forgotten in times of trouble.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme in Zechariah 12 of God defending Jerusalem and Judah against overwhelming odds, highlighting His power to overturn human strength.

Where else these words appear

“astonishment” Hebrew H8541 · used in 2 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

“madness” Hebrew H7697 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
  • 2 Kings 9:20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.

“blindness” Hebrew H5788 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 22:22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 28:28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

“open” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 6:20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
  • Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.