Old Testament

Zechariah 9:1

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

The burden of the word of the LORD is upon the land of Hadrach, and Damascus will be its resting place, when the eyes of man, as well as all the tribes of Israel, are turned toward the LORD.

Compare translations

KJVKing James Version

The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.

What Zechariah 9:1 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In Zechariah 9:1, the prophet conveys a message from God regarding the land of Hadrach and the city of Damascus. The term 'burden' indicates a heavy message or prophecy that God is delivering. Hadrach is a region that symbolizes a broader area of concern, while Damascus is highlighted as a significant place of rest or focus. The verse emphasizes that the attention of people, including all the tribes of Israel, will be directed towards the Lord. This suggests a time of divine intervention or revelation, where God's presence and guidance will be recognized. The mention of the eyes of man turning towards the Lord indicates a call for awareness and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and power. This passage sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plans for His people and the nations, emphasizing the importance of looking to Him for direction and hope.

How to apply Zechariah 9:1 to your life

This verse encourages us to turn our attention to God in our lives. Just as the tribes of Israel were called to focus on the Lord, we too should seek His guidance and presence in our daily decisions. Recognizing God's sovereignty can bring peace and direction.

Curated for this public verse page. Zechariah Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Rachel smiling as she holds her newborn son Joseph inside a lamp-lit tent

Illustrated scene from Joseph, Jacob's son's story: Joseph Is Born (Genesis 30:22–24)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Joseph, Jacob's son

Wide frontal view of the Great Ziggurat of Ur, with a central brick stair rising between broad buttressed mud-brick walls in a hazy desert setting.

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Zechariah 9:1

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Zechariah 9:1

Key themes

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Zechariah 9:1 mean?

Zechariah 9:1 conveys a prophetic message from God about the land of Hadrach and Damascus, emphasizing that the attention of people, including the tribes of Israel, will be directed towards the Lord.

What is the significance of Hadrach in Zechariah 9:1?

Hadrach represents a broader area of concern in the prophecy, indicating that God's message extends beyond a single location and encompasses the nations.

What does the term 'burden' mean in Zechariah 9:1?

In this context, 'burden' refers to a heavy message or prophecy that God is delivering, highlighting the seriousness and importance of the message being conveyed.

How can we apply Zechariah 9:1 in our lives today?

We can apply this verse by focusing our attention on God in our daily lives, seeking His guidance and recognizing His sovereignty to find peace and direction.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Verse 2 →