Zechariah 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God promises renewed prosperity for His cities and that He will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.
What Does Zechariah 1:17 Mean?
The prophet is told to cry out again, and the word 'yet' rings through the promise like a refrain of hope. The cities will overflow with prosperity, Zion will be comforted, and the LORD will once more choose Jerusalem. After all that has been lost, God speaks of a future fuller than the past.
That God will 'yet choose' Jerusalem answers the deepest fear of the exiles, that their rejection was final. It was not. His election of His people stands, and His comfort is on its way. The fourfold 'yet' insists that the last chapter has not been written, that there is more grace ahead than behind. For any heart tempted to think God is finished with it, this verse is a door thrown open to hope.
Zechariah 1:17 in the Original Language
bachar (בָּחַר), 'choose' -- to select and embrace, here God's renewed setting of His love upon Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 1:17
What does Zechariah 1:17 mean?
God promises renewed prosperity for His cities and that He will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.