And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.

ZECHARIAH 9:7KJV
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Zechariah 9:7 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 9:7 mean?

Zechariah 9:7 describes how God will remove the violent and idolatrous practices from a foreign nation, but promises that those who survive will belong to God and be accepted among His people, even given a respected place in Judah. The verse uses the example of Ekron, saying its people will be like the Jebusites—former outsiders who became part of Israel.

The prophet Zechariah is speaking God’s words to the people of Israel, describing what will happen to their enemies, especially the Philistine cities. The verse pictures God purifying these nations by taking away their “blood” and “abominations”—references to pagan rituals and forbidden foods. Instead of total destruction, some people will remain and be welcomed into God’s community, just as the Jebusites, once enemies, became part of Jerusalem’s population.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 9:7

  • “blood” (דָּם, dam, H1818): This word often refers to blood used in pagan sacrifices or forbidden foods. Here, it points to God removing violent or idolatrous customs from the people.
  • “abominations” (שִׁקּוּצִים, shiqqutsim, H8251): This word means detestable things, usually connected to idol worship or unclean practices. Its use highlights that God is cleansing the people from practices He finds offensive.
  • “remaineth” (שָׁאַר, sha’ar, H7604): This word means to be left or to survive. It emphasizes that not everyone will be destroyed; some will be spared and given a new identity among God’s people.
  • “governor” (אַלּוּף, alluph, H441): This word can mean a leader or chief. The verse says that those who remain will have a respected status, not just be tolerated.

Why Zechariah 9:7 matters

  • Zechariah 9:7 shows that God’s judgment on the nations is not only about punishment but also about redemption and inclusion for those who turn away from old ways.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s plan for Israel’s neighbors includes hope and transformation, not just destruction.
  • By mentioning the Jebusites, Zechariah 9:7 reminds readers that outsiders can become part of God’s people, which would have been a surprising and hopeful message for Israel.

Where else these words appear

“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?

“abominations” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
  • Ezekiel 20:7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

“governor” Hebrew H441 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 36:15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
  • Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
  • Psalms 144:14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

“Jebusite” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.