Zechariah 8:22
New International Version
And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.”

New Living Translation
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing.

English Standard Version
Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.”

King James Bible
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

New King James Version
Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.’

New American Standard Bible
So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of armies in Jerusalem, and to plead for the favor of the LORD.’

NASB 1995
‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’

NASB 1977
‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’

Legacy Standard Bible
So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Yahweh.’

Amplified Bible
So many peoples and powerful nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to ask the LORD for His favor.’

Christian Standard Bible
Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Armies in Jerusalem and to plead for the LORD’s favor.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead for the LORD’s favor.”

American Standard Version
Yea, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Many people from strong nations will come to Jerusalem to worship me and to ask me to treat them with kindness.

English Revised Version
Yea, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Many people and powerful nations will come to seek the LORD of Armies in Jerusalem and to ask the LORD for a blessing.

Good News Translation
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the LORD Almighty and to pray for his blessing.

International Standard Version
Many people and powerful nations will come to inquire of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies in Jerusalem, and to pray in the presence of the LORD."'"

Majority Standard Bible
And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.?

NET Bible
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD who rules over all and to ask his favor.

New Heart English Bible
Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
And many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

World English Bible
Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Yahweh of Armies in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Yahweh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Indeed, many peoples have come in, and mighty nations, "" To seek YHWH of Hosts in Jerusalem, "" And to appease the face of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Yea, come in have many peoples, and mighty nations, To seek Jehovah of Hosts in Jerusalem, And to appease the face of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And many peoples and strong nations came to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem, and to beseech the face of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And many peoples and strong nations will approach, seeking the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord.

New American Bible
Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the many nations shall come and the strong nations to seek LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yea, many peoples and mighty nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And many peoples and many nations shall come to seek earnestly the face of the Lord Almighty in Jerusalem, and to obtain favour of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Jerusalem
21and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’ 22And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.” 23This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”…

Cross References
Isaiah 2:2-3
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1-2
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. / And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 60:3
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Jeremiah 3:17
At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.

Isaiah 56:6-7
And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Psalm 86:9
All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Isaiah 66:18-20
“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. / I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations. / And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”

Zephaniah 3:9-10
For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. / From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, My scattered people, will bring Me an offering.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 11:10
On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.

Revelation 21:24-26
By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory. / Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there. / And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations.

Matthew 8:11
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

John 12:20-21
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. / They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

Acts 15:17
so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things


Treasury of Scripture

Yes, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

Isaiah 25:7
And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

Isaiah 55:5
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 60:3-22
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising…

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Almighty Appease Armies Entreat Face Favor Favour Great Hosts Jerusalem Mighty Nations Peoples Powerful Seek Strong Worship
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Almighty Appease Armies Entreat Face Favor Favour Great Hosts Jerusalem Mighty Nations Peoples Powerful Seek Strong Worship
Zechariah 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.














So many peoples
The phrase "so many peoples" indicates a multitude of nations and ethnic groups. In the Hebrew text, the word for "peoples" is "עַמִּים" (amim), which often refers to various groups or nations. This suggests a vision of inclusivity and universality, where God's plan extends beyond Israel to encompass all humanity. Historically, this reflects the post-exilic period when the Jewish community was re-establishing itself and there was a growing awareness of God's sovereignty over all nations. This phrase underscores the prophetic vision of a time when diverse groups will recognize the God of Israel.

and strong nations
The term "strong nations" emphasizes the power and influence of these groups. The Hebrew word "גּוֹיִם" (goyim) is often used for nations, and "strong" (עֲצוּמִים, atzumim) implies might and significance. This highlights the prophetic hope that even the most powerful and influential nations will seek the God of Israel. It reflects a reversal of the typical power dynamics, where instead of Israel being subjugated, the nations will come to acknowledge and worship Israel's God.

will come
The verb "will come" (יָבֹאוּ, yavo'u) is in the imperfect tense, indicating an action that is anticipated or expected in the future. This conveys a sense of hope and certainty in the prophetic vision. The movement towards Jerusalem is not just physical but spiritual, symbolizing a turning towards God. This aligns with the eschatological hope found throughout the prophetic literature, where the nations are drawn to the light of God's presence.

to seek the LORD of Hosts
"To seek" (לְבַקֵּשׁ, levakesh) implies a deliberate and earnest pursuit. The "LORD of Hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Tseva'ot) is a title that emphasizes God's supreme command over the heavenly armies and His sovereignty over all creation. This phrase indicates a recognition of God's ultimate authority and a desire to align with His will. It reflects the fulfillment of the prophetic vision where the nations acknowledge the God of Israel as the one true God.

in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is not just a geographical location but a spiritual center, representing God's dwelling place and the heart of His covenant with Israel. In the post-exilic context, Jerusalem was being rebuilt, and this vision underscores its future glory and centrality in God's redemptive plan. Theologically, Jerusalem symbolizes the place where God meets humanity, and the gathering of nations there signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants.

and to pray before the LORD
The act of praying "before the LORD" (לְהִתְפַּלֵּל אֶת־יְהוָה, lehitpalel et-Yahweh) signifies a relationship of reverence and submission. Prayer is a means of communication with God, reflecting a heart that seeks His guidance and favor. This phrase indicates a transformation among the nations, where they not only acknowledge God's sovereignty but also actively engage in worship and supplication. It points to a future where the barriers between God and humanity are removed, and all people have access to His presence.

Verse 22. - Many people (peoples) and strong nations. This explains ver. 20 more fully. The Jews were not actuated by the missionary spirit, yet even before Christ's advent their religion had spread into all parts of the world, as we see from the catalogue of proselytes in Acts 2:9-11. Intimations of the same fact are given in Ezra 6:21; Esther 8:17. To seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem; i.e. to keep the solemn festivals observed there (comp. Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 66:20-23 Micah 4:1, and note there). The literal fulfilment of this prophecy is not to be looked for. It declares the future conversion of the Gentiles, and their being made one with Israel in the Church of Christ, "one fold under one Shepherd" (John 10:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And many
רַבִּים֙ (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

peoples
עַמִּ֤ים (‘am·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and strong
עֲצוּמִ֔ים (‘ă·ṣū·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6099: Powerful, numerous

nations
וְגוֹיִ֣ם (wə·ḡō·w·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

will come
וּבָ֨אוּ (ū·ḇā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to seek
לְבַקֵּ֛שׁ (lə·ḇaq·qêš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֖וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

and to plead
וּלְחַלּ֖וֹת (ū·lə·ḥal·lō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

before
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 8:22 Yes many peoples and strong nations will (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 8:21
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