Zecheriah: Coming Events and Astronomical Signs

Zechariah 9:5a
Zechariah 9, Page 6

Re-evaluation Translation
9:5  Ashkelon will see it [Tyre’s fall], and be terrified; Gaza will also see it, and be very grieved, and Ekron; for her anticipated gain will be shattered; and the high ruler will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.

Bible, KJV Translation
9:5  Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

Yehuveh’s Prophecies Against Neighboring Nations: Commentary on Zechariah 9:1-10 (10 February 2009):

Significant Words and Comments:
Significant Words: 9:5 (10 February 2009): 
       
Ashkelon, from 'Ashqelown [H0831], meaning “weighing-place, that is, a market place or mart; familiar in the ancient poetry line: ‘the fire of infamy: I shall be weighed.’” Ashkelon was one of the five city-states of the Philistines (along with Gath, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod; Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17). Ashkelon was inhabited as early as the third millennium B.C. and was a seat of worship for the goddess Astarte. This historic coastal city-state was traditionally the key to the conquest of southwestern Palestine. It was conquered by several ancient empires, including the Philistines, the Israelites, the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Muslims, and the Crusaders. Modern Ashqelon, originally an Arab town, was resettled by Israelis after 1949 and is now a resort and industrial centre. It is mentioned in Scriptures as having been captured by the people of Judah, Judges 1:18; visited by Samson, who slew thirty men from there, Judges 14:19; having helped return Israel’s golden ark, along with golden tumors as an appeasement offering, 1 Samuel 6:17. In prophecies Ashkelon is mentioned in Jeremiah 25:20; 47:5, 5; Amos 1:8; Zephaniah 2:4, 7; and here in Zechariah 9:5. Shallot and the scallion derives from Ashkelon. 'Ashqelown is used only twice in Zechariah 9:5.
       
Shall see [H7200] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:8.
       
Fear [H3372] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 8:13.
       
Gaza, also called Azzah, is from `Azzah [H5804], meaning “strong,” is probably the oldest of the five ancient Philistine city-states (Joshua 13:3; Jeremiah 25:20). Earlier Gaza was a border city of the Canaanites (Genesis 10:19), descended from the Avim and Anakim, (Deuteronomy 2:23; Joshua 11:22). Gaza was allotted to Judah, (Joshua 15:47; Judges 1:18), briefly became a city of Ephraim (Judges 6:4; 1 Chronicles 7:28), but ultimately remained in the possession of the Philistines. A temple of Dagon was situated at Gaza (Judges 16:23) and at the end of his short career, Samson died there (Judges 16:21-31). At the time of Solomon, Gaza was on the western boundary of the kingdom of Israel, but still not their (1 Kings 4:24). Several prophecies relate to Gaza (Jeremiah 47:1; Amos 1:6, 7; Zephaniah 2:4; and Zechariah 9:5). Gaza is only two and a half miles from the Mediterranean Sea, located on a hill 200 feet above the surrounding plain. `Azzah is used only twice in Zechariah 9:5.


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:                 10 February 2009
Latest Update:                       10 February 2009


Return to Zadok Home Page             Continue . . .             Return One Page            Go to Zechariah Intro