Zechariah 12:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On that day Jerusalem will be like an immovable stone; all who try to lift it against God's purpose will only injure themselves.
What Does Zechariah 12:3 Mean?
The image shifts from a cup to a stone -- a 'burdensome stone' too heavy to move. Though all the peoples of the earth gather against the city, those who try to heave it away will be 'cut in pieces.' The repeated phrase 'in that day' marks a coming time when God acts decisively for His people.
To set oneself against what God has chosen to defend is to be wounded by the very effort. The city stands not because of its walls but because of the LORD who guards it. There is comfort here for all who feel surrounded: God's purposes cannot be lifted out of place by any number of hands raised against them.
Zechariah 12:3 in the Original Language
'eben ma'amasah (אֶבֶן מַעֲמָסָה), 'burdensome stone' -- a heavy lifting-stone; whoever strains to raise it is torn in the attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 12:3
What does Zechariah 12:3 mean?
On that day Jerusalem will be like an immovable stone; all who try to lift it against God's purpose will only injure themselves.