And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The deepest joy in this promise isn't just a large population, but the peace that allows children to play freely. It paints a picture of a city so secure, so full of health and hope, that parents don't need to keep their kids indoors for fear, nor do they need them working to survive. This is the ultimate sign of God's blessing: unhindered, simple delight.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Zechariah's prophecy shifts to describe a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing the peace and security that will flood its streets. This image of children playing freely contrasts sharply with the fear and desolation that had plagued the city, signifying a future marked by immense joy, abundant life, and a profound sense of safety. The prophet foresees a time when parents won't need to keep their children indoors out of danger, allowing for vibrant, unhindered life to flourish.
Imagine a city silenced by fear, where the laughter of children is a distant memory. Zechariah paints a picture of its opposite – a place vibrant with life. What does this promise really signify?
Zechariah's prophecy in chapter 8 looks beyond the immediate post-exilic period to a time of profound restoration and peace. The vision of streets filled with playing children isn't just about a larger population; it's a powerful symbol of:
The return from exile was a miracle, but Jerusalem was still a fragile shadow of its former glory. Zechariah's promise echoes a deeper longing for true restoration. What made this scene so revolutionary?
For the people returning from Babylonian exile, this vision of children playing in the streets was revolutionary. They had known:
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Zechariah 8:5 paints a picture that stands in stark contrast to their recent past. It’s not just about peace, but about a thriving, abundant life returning to the heart of the nation. It’s the sound of healing and hope replacing the silence of despair.
This promise of children playing freely in the streets stands in stark contrast to the generations of fear and desolation that followed Jerusalem's destruction, highlighting a radical return to peace and prosperity.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, its walls broken down, and many inhabitants were exiled, leading to a desolate and fearful city.
538 BC
Cyrus's Edict and Return from Exile
After the Babylonian exile, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking a period of rebuilding and restoration.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The rebuilding of the Temple was completed, a significant milestone for the returned exiles, symbolizing a renewed hope and commitment to God.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah led further waves of returnees, re-establishing Jerusalem's community, rebuilding its walls, and reinforcing religious and social order.
c. 519 BC— this verse
Zechariah's Prophecies
Zechariah delivers a series of visions and messages encouraging the rebuilding of the Temple and promising future restoration and glory for Jerusalem.
This passage echoes the joy and security of Zechariah's prophecy, describing a future time when 'the young women will rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together, for I will turn their mourning into joy.'
Matthew 11:16-17Jesus directly alludes to this imagery when describing the children playing in the marketplace, using it to contrast different responses to his ministry, highlighting the 'play' of children as a familiar symbol of life and joy.
Isaiah 60:15-16This prophecy paints a similar picture of restoration and abundance, speaking of a time when nations will serve Zion and its streets will be filled with a vibrant, thriving population.
Psalm 128:1-6This Psalm celebrates the blessings of a godly household, including numerous children who are a source of joy and future hope, a sentiment directly reflected in the peaceful play of children in Zechariah's vision.
jfbZechariah 8:5: "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."
- boys and girls playing—implying security and a numerous progeny, accounted a leading blessing among the Jews. Contrast Jer 6:11; 9:21.
pulpitZechariah 8:5: "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."
Verse 5. - Full of boys and girls. Jerusalem and the other cities had long been strangers to any such happy sight. Large increase of population is a blessing often promised in the latter days (Hosea 1:10; Micah 2:12). Perowne remarks that our Lord alludes to the games of children the marketplaces as a familiar incident his days (Matthew 11:16, 17; comp. Jeremiah 11).
The deepest joy in this promise isn't just a large population, but the peace that allows children to play freely. It paints a picture of a city so secure, so full of health and hope, that parents don't need to keep their kids indoors for fear, nor do they need them working to survive. This is the ultimate sign of God's blessing: unhindered, simple delight.
Zechariah's prophecy shifts to describe a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing the peace and security that will flood its streets. This image of children playing freely contrasts sharply with the fear and desolation that had plagued the city, signifying a future marked by immense joy, abundant life, and a profound sense of safety. The prophet foresees a time when parents won't need to keep their children indoors out of danger, allowing for vibrant, unhindered life to flourish.
Zechariah's prophecy shifts to describe a restored Jerusalem, emphasizing the peace and security that will flood its streets. This image of children playing freely contrasts sharply with the fear and desolation that had plagued the city, signifying a future marked by immense joy, abundant life, and a profound sense of safety. The prophet foresees a time when parents won't need to keep their children indoors out of danger, allowing for vibrant, unhindered life to flourish.
"And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets." — The deepest joy in this promise isn't just a large population, but the peace that allows children to play freely. It paints a picture of a city so secure, so full of health and hope, that parents d…
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Last reviewed October 2026