As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

ZECHARIAH 9:11KJV
Know the Bible

Zechariah 9:11 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 9:11 mean?

Zechariah 9:11 says that because of the blood of a covenant, God promises to free prisoners from a waterless pit. This verse uses the image of rescue to show God’s faithfulness to His promises and His power to deliver people from hopeless situations.

In this part of the book, Zechariah is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel after their return from exile. The verse refers to a covenant—an agreement God made with His people—and the “blood” points to the seriousness and binding nature of that promise. The “prisoners” are likely the Israelites who felt trapped or abandoned, and the “pit without water” is a picture of deep trouble or despair, since ancient pits were sometimes used as prisons.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 9:11

  • דָּם (dam; "blood") — This word means blood, often used in the context of sacrifices or covenants in the Hebrew Bible. Mentioning blood here highlights the seriousness and binding nature of God’s agreement with His people.
  • בְּרִית (berit; "covenant") — This word means a formal agreement or treaty. In this verse, it refers to the special relationship and promises God made to Israel.
  • שָׁלַח (shalach; "forth") — This verb means to send out or release. It emphasizes God’s action in freeing those who are trapped.
  • אֲסִיר (asir; "prisoners") — This word means prisoners or captives. It points to people who are stuck or held against their will, likely representing the Israelites in exile or distress.
  • בּוֹר (bor; "pit") — This word means a pit or cistern, often a deep hole in the ground. Pits were sometimes used as prisons, and a pit “without water” suggests a place of extreme danger or hopelessness.
  • מַיִם (mayim; "water") — This word means water, and its absence in the pit stresses the lifeless, desperate situation from which God rescues.

Why Zechariah 9:11 matters

  • Zechariah 9:11 clarifies that God’s promise to rescue is rooted in a binding covenant, not just a passing feeling or temporary plan.
  • The verse uses strong images—blood, covenant, prisoners, and a waterless pit—to show both the seriousness of the people’s trouble and the depth of God’s commitment to save.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s restoration of His people after exile is not random, but based on His faithful promises.

Where else these words appear

“prisoners” Hebrew H615 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
  • Psalms 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“pit” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 6:7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.