Zechariah 9:7 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD will purge the Philistines of their detestable practices, and a remnant will be brought in to belong to God like a clan within Judah.
What Does Zechariah 9:7 Mean?
The imagery is startling: the LORD will take the blood out of the Philistine's mouth and the abominations from between his teeth, an end to the pagan sacrifices and forbidden foods that marked their worship. Yet judgment gives way to inclusion. The one who remains will be for our God, absorbed into the covenant people like a governing clan in Judah, and Ekron will become like a Jebusite, the old Canaanites who were folded into Jerusalem under David.
Here the oracle turns surprising and bright. Even an ancient enemy can be cleansed and brought near, made to belong to God. This is the wideness of divine mercy reaching beyond Israel's borders, a foretaste of the gospel that gathers former outsiders into one people. No heritage of hostility is too far gone for God to redeem and claim as His own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 9:7
What does Zechariah 9:7 mean?
The LORD will purge the Philistines of their detestable practices, and a remnant will be brought in to belong to God like a clan within Judah.