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.

ZECHARIAH 8:23KJV
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Zechariah 8:23 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 8:23 mean?

Zechariah 8:23 describes a future time when people from many nations and languages will seek out the Jewish people, wanting to join them because they recognize that God is with them. The verse uses the image of ten men grabbing the skirt of a Jew, asking to go with him because they have heard of God’s presence among the Jewish people.

In this verse, the prophet Zechariah is relaying a message from the LORD of hosts (God) to the people of Israel after their return from exile. The setting is one of hope and restoration, where God promises that Jerusalem and its people will become a spiritual center that draws others from all over the world. The image of grabbing the skirt shows eagerness and respect, highlighting the desire of other nations to be connected to God through His people.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 8:23

  • "hosts" (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This word means "armies" or "heavenly forces" and emphasizes God’s power and authority as the one speaking.
  • "skirt" (כָּנָף, kanaph): This refers to the edge or corner of a garment, often symbolizing identity or status. Grabbing the skirt shows humility and a wish to be associated with the blessings of the Jewish people.
  • "Jew" (אִישׁ יְהוּדִי, ish Yehudi): The phrase means "a man who is a Jew," highlighting the specific identity of the person being sought out.
  • "languages" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon) and "nations" (גּוֹי, goy): These words stress the diversity of people coming from all over the world, not just one group or country.

Why Zechariah 8:23 matters

  • Zechariah 8:23 clears up the idea that God’s relationship with Israel was only for them; it shows that God’s presence among His people is meant to draw others from every nation.
  • The verse emphasizes the future hope that Jerusalem and its people will become a spiritual beacon, attracting people who want to know God.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Zechariah 8, which is about restoration, peace, and God’s faithfulness to His promises, showing that these blessings are meant to overflow to the whole world.

Where else these words appear

“Jew” Hebrew H3064 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
  • Esther 6:10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

“skirt” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
  • Ezekiel 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

“languages” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
  • Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.