Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

ZECHARIAH 9:5KJV
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Zechariah 9:5 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 9:5 mean?

Zechariah 9:5 describes how the cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron will react with fear, sorrow, and disappointment because of coming judgment; Gaza’s king will be lost, and Ashkelon will become deserted. The verse shows the downfall of these Philistine cities as part of God’s message of change and upheaval.

Zechariah, speaking God’s words to the people of Israel after their return from exile, names these well-known Philistine cities to show that even powerful neighbors will not escape God’s plans. The verse uses vivid language to highlight the shock and grief that will come when their hopes are crushed and their leaders are removed.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 9:5

  • "Fear" (יָרֵא, yareʾ): This word means to be afraid or deeply unsettled. Here, it shows that Ashkelon’s reaction is not just concern but a profound terror at what is coming.
  • "Very sorrowful" (מְאֹד חִיל, meʾod chil): The word for "sorrowful" (חִיל, chil) often means to writhe in pain or anguish, suggesting Gaza’s distress is intense and overwhelming.
  • "Expectation" (מִבְטָה, mivta): This word refers to hope or something looked forward to. The verse says Ekron’s expectation will be "ashamed" (בּוֹשׁ, bosh), meaning their hopes will be disappointed or proven false.
  • "Inhabited" (יָשַׁב, yashav): The phrase "shall not be inhabited" means Ashkelon will be left empty, emphasizing the completeness of the judgment.

Why Zechariah 9:5 matters

  • Zechariah 9:5 clarifies that God’s message of change is not just for Israel but also affects the surrounding nations, showing the broad reach of God’s actions.
  • The verse highlights the vulnerability of even the strongest cities and leaders, reminding readers that security based on power or expectation can quickly vanish.
  • By naming specific cities and describing their downfall, Zechariah 9:5 connects to the wider passage’s theme of God reshaping the region’s future, preparing the way for hope and restoration for Israel.

Where else these words appear

“expectation” Hebrew H4007 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 20:5 And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
  • Isaiah 20:6 And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

“Ashkelon” Hebrew H831 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 1:18 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
  • 2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
  • Jeremiah 47:7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.

“Gaza” Hebrew H5804 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:28 And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:

“Ekron” Hebrew H6138 · used in 20 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 1 Samuel 5:10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
  • 2 Kings 1:3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?