Zechariah 8:2

Zechariah 8:2 Meaning and Explanation

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

King James Version (KJV)

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The LORD declares His passionate, protective devotion to Zion, a jealousy so intense it burns like fury.

What Does Zechariah 8:2 Mean?

Speaking of Zion, the holy city, God describes His own heart toward her. The doubled phrasing, jealous with great jealousy, intensifies the claim. This is not petty envy but the fierce loyalty of one who will not share His beloved with rivals or let her be harmed.

Such jealousy is the flip side of covenant love. Because God is wholly committed to His people, He cannot be indifferent to what threatens them. The same intensity that once burned against their sin now burns on their behalf, against all that would destroy them. To be loved with this kind of fervor is to be safe, for God guards what He treasures with the whole strength of His being.

Zechariah 8:2 in the Original Language

qana (קָנָא), 'jealous' -- a zealous, possessive ardor that refuses to share what it loves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 8:2

What does Zechariah 8:2 mean?

The LORD declares His passionate, protective devotion to Zion, a jealousy so intense it burns like fury.

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