Zechariah 6:9 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 6:9 mean?

Zechariah 6:9 describes how the prophet Zechariah receives a direct message from God, introduced by the familiar phrase, “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying.” This signals that what follows is not Zechariah’s own thought, but a divine instruction or revelation.

In the context of the book, God is speaking to Zechariah during a time when the Jewish people are rebuilding after exile. The verse marks the beginning of a new message, setting up the instructions that will follow in the next verses. The phrase emphasizes that Zechariah’s authority comes from God’s communication, not personal opinion or tradition.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 6:9

• דָּבָר (davar, H1697) — This word is translated as “word” and often means a message, matter, or command. Here, it highlights that what Zechariah is about to say has weight and authority as a direct communication from God.
• יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068) — This is the personal name for God, often rendered as “the LORD” in English Bibles. Its use here underlines that the message comes from Israel’s covenant God, not a generic deity.
• אָמַר (amar, H559) — Translated as “saying,” this word introduces the specific content of God’s message. It signals a transition from the announcement of a message to the actual words God wants delivered.

Why Zechariah 6:9 matters

• Zechariah 6:9 makes it clear that the instructions and visions that follow are not Zechariah’s own ideas, but come directly from God, giving them special authority.
• The verse connects the prophecy to the larger context of God’s ongoing communication with His people during a crucial rebuilding period after exile.
• By using the phrase “the word of the LORD,” the verse ties Zechariah’s message to the tradition of earlier prophets, showing continuity in how God speaks to His people.