Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” New Living Translation “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem! English Standard Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Berean Standard Bible This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.” King James Bible Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. New King James Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; With great fervor I am zealous for her.’ New American Standard Bible “The LORD of armies says this: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ NASB 1995 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ NASB 1977 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ Legacy Standard Bible “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘I am jealous with great jealousy for Zion, and with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ Amplified Bible “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], and I am jealous for her with great wrath [against her enemies].’ Christian Standard Bible The LORD of Armies says this: “I am extremely jealous for Zion; I am jealous for her with great wrath.” Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD of Hosts says this: I am extremely jealous for Zion; I am jealous for her with great wrath.” American Standard Version Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Contemporary English Version I love Zion so much that her enemies make me angry. English Revised Version Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great fury. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what the LORD of Armies says: I am very jealous about Zion. I am fiercely possessive of it. Good News Translation "I have longed to help Jerusalem because of my deep love for her people, a love which has made me angry with her enemies. International Standard Version "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'I'm greatly jealous about Zion, and that makes me furious about her.' NET Bible "The LORD who rules over all says, 'I am very much concerned for Zion; indeed, I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her.' New Heart English Bible Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath." Webster's Bible Translation Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThis is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.” World English Bible Yahweh of Armies says: “I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Thus said YHWH of Hosts: I have been zealous for Zion with great zeal, "" With great heat I have been zealous for her. Young's Literal Translation 'Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: I have been zealous for Zion with great zeal, With great heat I have been zealous for her. Smith's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah of armies: I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy and with great wrath was I jealous for her. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThus saith the Lord of hosts: I have been jealous for Sion with a great jealousy, and with a great indignation have I been jealous for her. Catholic Public Domain Version Thus says the Lord of hosts: I have been zealous for Zion with a great zeal, and with a great indignation have I been zealous for her. New American Bible Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred to jealous wrath for her. New Revised Standard Version Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus says the LORD of hosts: I am moved for Zion with great zeal. I am moved for her with great indignation. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated ”Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: ‘I have been zealous for Zion with a great zeal and in great rage I have been zealous for it’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great fury. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thus saith the Lord Almighty; I have been jealous for Jerusalem and for Sion with great jealousy, and I have been jealous for her with great fury. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Restoration of Jerusalem1Again the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying: 2This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.” 3This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”… Cross References Isaiah 42:13 The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion. Jeremiah 32:41 Yes, I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul. Hosea 11:8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! Joel 2:18 Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people. Malachi 1:11 For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. Malachi 3:17 “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Psalm 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. Psalm 132:13-14 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: / “This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home. Ezekiel 36:5-6 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder. / Therefore, prophesy concerning the land of Israel and tell the mountains and hills, the ravines and valleys, that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I have spoken in My burning zeal because you have endured the reproach of the nations. Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore Jacob from captivity and will have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name. 1 Kings 8:29 May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. 2 Chronicles 7:16 For I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and My heart will be there for all time. Romans 11:28-29 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. / For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Treasury of Scripture Thus said the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. I was jealous. Zechariah 1:14-16 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy… Psalm 78:58,59 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images… Isaiah 42:13,14 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies… Jump to Previous Almighty Angry Armies Burning Exceedingly Fury Great Heat Hosts Jealous Jealousy Words Wrath Zeal Zealous ZionJump to Next Almighty Angry Armies Burning Exceedingly Fury Great Heat Hosts Jealous Jealousy Words Wrath Zeal Zealous ZionZechariah 8 1. The restoration of Jerusalem.9. They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them. 16. Good works are required of them. 18. Joy and blessing are promised. This is what the LORD of Hosts says: This phrase introduces a divine declaration, emphasizing the authority and power of God as the "LORD of Hosts," a title that underscores His command over the heavenly armies. This title is used frequently in the prophetic books to remind the audience of God's sovereignty and might. It sets the stage for the message that follows, indicating that it is not merely a human opinion but a divine pronouncement. I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to fulfill His promises and protect His people. 2. Zion Often used to refer to Jerusalem, Zion represents the spiritual and physical center of God's covenant people, Israel. It is a symbol of God's dwelling place and His relationship with His people. 3. Zechariah A prophet who ministered to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. His messages were meant to encourage the rebuilding of the temple and the spiritual renewal of the people. 4. Jealousy In this context, God's jealousy is a passionate commitment to His people and His covenant. It is not envy but a protective zeal for His relationship with Israel. 5. Great Wrath This indicates God's intense response to anything that threatens His covenant relationship with His people, including idolatry and injustice. Teaching Points God's Jealous LoveGod's jealousy is rooted in His love and commitment to His people. It is a reminder of His desire for an exclusive relationship with us, free from idolatry and sin. Divine Protection The LORD of Hosts assures us of His protection. Just as He was zealous for Zion, He is zealous for His church today, safeguarding us from spiritual harm. Call to Faithfulness Understanding God's jealousy should inspire us to remain faithful and devoted to Him, avoiding anything that might compromise our relationship with Him. God's Righteous Anger God's wrath is not arbitrary but is directed against sin and injustice. It serves as a warning to align our lives with His righteousness. Hope for Restoration Zechariah's message is one of hope, promising restoration and renewal for those who return to God with sincere hearts. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Zechariah 8:2?2. How does God's "zeal for Zion" in Zechariah 8:2 inspire your faith today? 3. What does God's "intense love" in Zechariah 8:2 reveal about His character? 4. How can we reflect God's "great wrath" against sin in our lives? 5. How does Zechariah 8:2 connect with God's promises in other Scriptures? 6. In what ways can you demonstrate zeal for God's purposes in your community? 7. What does Zechariah 8:2 reveal about God's nature and His relationship with Jerusalem? 8. How does Zechariah 8:2 reflect God's jealousy and passion for His people? 9. In what ways does Zechariah 8:2 challenge our understanding of divine love and justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 8? 11. Who was King Zechariah in the Bible? 12. What visions and messages did Zechariah receive from God? 13. Zechariah 8:13: How could the house of Judah and Israel become blessings to other nations in light of ongoing regional strife? 14. What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah? What Does Zechariah 8:2 Mean This is what the LORD of Hosts says• “LORD of Hosts”—the title underscores God’s absolute command over every power, earthly and heavenly. Psalm 46:7 calls Him “the LORD of Hosts…our fortress,” reminding exiles that the One speaking is both sovereign and near. • By prefacing the promise with this title, God roots the coming words in His unassailable authority (Isaiah 6:3). What follows is not wishful thinking but a decree from the Commander of all armies, guaranteeing that every pledge will be fulfilled (Jeremiah 32:17). I am jealous for Zion • “Zion” points to Jerusalem, the city of God’s presence and, by extension, the covenant people themselves (Psalm 132:13). • Divine jealousy is not petty envy; it is a covenant passion to protect what belongs to Him (Exodus 34:14). Just as a faithful husband guards his marriage, God pledges to defend and restore His people (Hosea 2:19–20). • Earlier, Zechariah 1:14 echoed this same jealousy, demonstrating a consistent theme: God’s unwavering commitment to bring His people back from judgment into blessing. with great zeal • “Great zeal” amplifies the intensity of God’s jealousy. His love is not casual; it is energetic and unstoppable (Isaiah 9:7). • When the Lord acts “in zeal,” history changes—think of the deliverance of Jerusalem from Assyria (2 Kings 19:31). The phrase assures the remnant that their restoration will be propelled by God’s own fervent energy, not by human effort. I am jealous for her • The repetition reinforces certainty. In Hebrew poetry, repetition is emphasis; here God doubles down on His protective love. • This mirrors Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” underscoring that punishment was never abandonment. The exile disciplined but did not dissolve the covenant (Lamentations 3:31–33). • It also personalizes Zion—“for her.” God’s love is directed, specific, and relational, not an abstract principle (Psalm 87:2). with great fervor • “Great fervor” parallels “great zeal,” stressing not only intensity but warmth. God’s commitment blazes like a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). • Such fervor means action: chapter 8 proceeds to list concrete blessings—peace, prosperity, and presence (Zechariah 8:3–8). As surely as He once disciplined, He will now rebuild (Isaiah 42:13). • Revelation 3:19 shows the same principle: “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline.” Fervor in judgment turns into fervor in restoration when repentance comes. summary Zechariah 8:2 declares that the all-powerful LORD passionately loves and defends His covenant people. His jealousy is pure devotion, His zeal unstoppable energy, and His fervor blazing warmth. After discipline, He now moves to restore Jerusalem, guaranteeing that every promise of blessing in the chapter will come to pass because the Commander of all hosts is personally, intensely committed to Zion’s good. Verse 2. - Thus saith the Lord of hosts. This formula occurs ten times in this chapter, thus enforcing the truth that all the promises made to Zion come from the Lord himself, and are therefore sure to be fulfilled. I was jealous; - I am jealous, as Zechariah 1:14 (where see note). With great fury. Against her enemies (Zechariah 1:15). "Zelus" is defined by Albertus Magnus: "amor boni cum indignatione contrarii." One side of God's love for Zion is shown in the punishment of her enemies. Knabenbauer likens this zeal or jealousy of God to the pillar of fire at the Exodus - light and protection to the Israelites, darkness and destruction to the Egyptians (Exodus 14:20).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew This is whatכֹּ֤ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign says: אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I am jealous קִנֵּ֥אתִי (qin·nê·ṯî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious for Zion לְצִיּ֖וֹן (lə·ṣî·yō·wn) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem with great גְדוֹלָ֑ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent zeal; קִנְאָ֣ה (qin·’āh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7068: Ardor, zeal, jealousy I am jealous קִנֵּ֥אתִי (qin·nê·ṯî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious for her לָֽהּ׃ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew with great גְדוֹלָ֖ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent fervor.” וְחֵמָ֥ה (wə·ḥê·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison Links Zechariah 8:2 NIVZechariah 8:2 NLT Zechariah 8:2 ESV Zechariah 8:2 NASB Zechariah 8:2 KJV Zechariah 8:2 BibleApps.com Zechariah 8:2 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 8:2 Chinese Bible Zechariah 8:2 French Bible Zechariah 8:2 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zechariah 8:2 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: (Zech. 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