Zechariah 9:17
For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Zechariah's prophecy bursts into joyful exclamations about God's goodness and beauty, following his pronouncements of deliverance and restoration. This verse serves as a vibrant summary, envisioning a future of abundant prosperity where the land's produce, like grain and new wine, fuels the vitality and cheer of its young people. It paints a picture of God's favor manifesting in material blessings, foreshadowing deeper spiritual richness to come.
The prophet Zechariah exclaims about 'his goodness' and 'his beauty.' Who is this 'his' referring to?
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This verse opens with a powerful exclamation that pivots on the possessive pronoun 'his.' While the immediate context is the prosperity of Israel – the land yielding abundant grain and wine – the commentators highlight a deeper truth.
Divine Attributes
A Response to God's Action
The exclamation arises from observing God's magnificent actions, whether it's the deliverance and flourishing of His people or the ultimate salvation brought through Christ. It's a reaction to His character and His deeds.
The verse promises that 'grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.' What's so special about these simple provisions?
Zechariah uses common, life-sustaining elements – grain and wine – to paint a picture of flourishing life under God's blessing.
More Than Just Food
Spiritual Parallel
Commentators frequently draw a parallel between this physical abundance and the spiritual nourishment provided by the Gospel. The "bread of life" (Jesus) and the "new wine" (the joy and gifts of the Holy Spirit) offer far greater sustenance and revitalization than earthly provisions ever could.
Understand the original words
tub · Hebrew Noun
A quality of God representing His moral excellence, kindness, benevolence, and generous provision toward His creation. It signifies both God's nature and the tangible blessings He bestows.
yopi · Hebrew Noun
The aesthetic, moral, and glorious splendor that characterizes God's presence and works. It inspires awe and adoration in the believer as they behold the perfection of His character.
dagan · Hebrew Noun
A primary agricultural product in the ancient Near East, symbolizing the physical sustenance, blessing, and fruitful provision of God in the land.
tirosh · Hebrew Noun
The fermented juice of the grape, which in Scripture represents the joy, celebration, and abundance of God's kingdom and His favor upon a restored people.
Zechariah's prophecy comes during a period of post-exilic rebuilding and hope. The imagery of abundant grain and wine speaks to a divinely-blessed prosperity, a stark contrast to the hardship of exile and a foretaste of the ultimate spiritual abundance promised through the Messiah.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
The Persian King Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the end of the Babylonian Exile.
516 BC
Completion of Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed by the returning exiles, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. This event signifies a renewed hope and a physical center for Jewish worship.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Reforms
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads a group of Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem. He institutes religious reforms to re-establish the Law of Moses and strengthen the spiritual life of the community.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, is appointed governor of Judah and leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This effort faces significant opposition but ultimately succeeds, securing the city.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Zechariah's Ministry
Zechariah, a prophet, delivers messages of hope and restoration to the post-exilic Jewish community in Jerusalem. His prophecies often look forward to the coming Messiah and a future era of peace and prosperity.
c. 332 BC
Conquest by Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire, bringing the land of Judea under Hellenistic influence. This introduces a new cultural and political dynamic to the region.
This Psalm praises the Messiah's beauty and splendor, directly linking to Zechariah's exclamation about God's great beauty.
Isaiah 33:17This passage speaks of seeing God as King in His beauty, echoing the prophetic awe and focus on divine beauty found in Zechariah.
Joel 2:18-19Similar to Zechariah, Joel describes a future of abundance with grain and new wine, symbolizing God's blessing and restoration of His people.
1 John 2:14This New Testament verse speaks of 'fathers' and 'young men' in a spiritual context, resonating with Zechariah's division of young men and women flourishing, hinting at spiritual maturity and vitality.
Matthew 9:17Jesus uses the imagery of new wine and wineskins to speak about the transformative nature of His new covenant, connecting the 'new wine' of Zechariah to spiritual refreshment and new life.
cambridgeZechariah 9:17: "For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
17 . his goodness … his beauty ] i.e. either Israel’s ( their prosperity , R. V. margin), as thus delivered and honoured by God (comp. Hosea 14:6 ), or God’s, the exclamation being drawn from the prophet by the consideration of the great things he had been commissioned to make known. “The goodness and the beauty are the goodness and beauty of God, whose g…
barnesZechariah 9:17: "For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
For how great is His goodness - For it is unutterable! As the Psalmist said, "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1 , and Jacob, "How awful is this place!" Genesis 28:17 , and the Psalmist, "How awful are Thy doings!" The goodness and the beauty are the goodness and beauty of God, whose great doings had been his theme th…
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Zechariah's prophecy bursts into joyful exclamations about God's goodness and beauty, following his pronouncements of deliverance and restoration. This verse serves as a vibrant summary, envisioning a future of abundant prosperity where the land's produce, like grain and new wine, fuels the vitality and cheer of its young people. It paints a picture of God's favor manifesting in material blessings, foreshadowing deeper spiritual richness to come.
Zechariah's prophecy bursts into joyful exclamations about God's goodness and beauty, following his pronouncements of deliverance and restoration. This verse serves as a vibrant summary, envisioning a future of abundant prosperity where the land's produce, like grain and new wine, fuels the vitality and cheer of its young people. It paints a picture of God's favor manifesting in material blessings, foreshadowing deeper spiritual richness to come.
"For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women." — { "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. 520 BC", "title": "Temple Reconstruction Begins", "description": "Following their return from Babylonian exile,…
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