Zechariah 12:1 Meaning and Explanation
“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A weighty message from the LORD opens, grounded in His authority as the One who made the heavens, the earth, and the human spirit.
What Does Zechariah 12:1 Mean?
These words begin the final great oracle of Zechariah, a 'burden' concerning Israel. Before a single promise is spoken, the prophet names the Speaker: the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the earth's foundation, and forms the spirit within each person. The God who will act in the coming verses is the same God who made all things.
Every promise that follows rests on this foundation. The One who fashioned the stars and shaped the human spirit is not distant from the troubles of His people. Because He made you, He knows you; because He upholds the heavens, He can be trusted to keep His word. The weight of the message is matched by the weight of the One who speaks it.
Zechariah 12:1 in the Original Language
massa (מַשָּׂא), 'burden' -- a weighty prophetic oracle, a message laid upon the prophet to deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 12:1
What does Zechariah 12:1 mean?
A weighty message from the LORD opens, grounded in His authority as the One who made the heavens, the earth, and the human spirit.