What does Zechariah 2:2 mean?
"Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof." - Zechariah 2:2
Zechariah 2:2 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof."
This verse is part of the Book of Zechariah, which is one of the 12 Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Zechariah was a prophet during the period of Israel's exile in Babylon, and his prophecies were directed to the people of Judah who had returned to Jerusalem after the exile. The book contains messages of encouragement, warnings, and apocalyptic visions.
In this particular verse, the prophet Zechariah is having a vision in which he sees a man with a measuring line in his hand. The man tells Zechariah that he is going to measure Jerusalem to determine its dimensions. This vision and the subsequent measurements symbolize God's plan to rebuild and restore Jerusalem. It also serves as a reassurance to the returning exiles that God is interested in the details of their lives and the restoration of their city.
One of the central themes of this verse is restoration. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, the promise of its rebuilding and restoration would have been a source of hope and encouragement for the returning exiles. The act of measuring the city implies a meticulous and deliberate plan for its reconstruction, emphasizing God's care and attention to detail in the restoration process.
The measuring of Jerusalem also has symbolic significance. In the Bible, measurement is often associated with judgment and assessment. In this context, the measuring of Jerusalem represents God's evaluation of the city and its inhabitants. It serves as a reminder that God is intimately involved in the affairs of His people and that He holds them accountable for their actions. It also symbolizes the establishment of boundaries and protection for the city, as the dimensions of a city were seen as a measure of its strength and security.
Furthermore, this verse can be interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual growth and transformation. The act of measuring can be seen as a process of self-examination and introspection, as individuals are called to assess their lives and align themselves with God's will. The measurement of Jerusalem can be seen as a symbol of God's desire to establish His presence and authority in the lives of His people, setting boundaries and standards for their spiritual well-being.
In a broader sense, this verse can also be applied to the church as the "new Jerusalem" in the New Testament. Just as God had a plan to restore the physical city of Jerusalem, He also has a plan to rebuild and renew His church, establishing His kingdom on earth. The measuring of Jerusalem can be seen as a symbol of God's ongoing work in the world, shaping and molding His people to fulfill His purposes.
In conclusion, Zechariah 2:2 is a verse that speaks to the themes of restoration, judgment, spiritual growth, and the establishment of God's kingdom. It serves as a reminder of God's care for His people, His involvement in their lives, and His desire to bring about transformation and renewal. It is a powerful and evocative image that captures the essence of God's redemptive plan for His people.
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Zechariah 2:2 - "Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof."
"Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof." - Zechariah 2:2
Zechariah 1:2 - "The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers."
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
2 Chronicles 21:2 - "And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel."
Zechariah 6:2 - "In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;"
Zechariah 9:2 - "And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise."
Zechariah 2:5 - "For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
1 Chronicles 26:2 - "And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,"
Zechariah 2:12 - "And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again."
Isaiah 8:2 - "And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."
Zechariah 2:3 - "And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,"
Zechariah 2:13 - "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
Zechariah 2:1 - "I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand."
Zechariah 7:2 - "When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,"
Zechariah 2:10 - "¶ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD."
Zechariah 8:2 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury."
The Word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. (Lk 3:2)
"The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers." - Zechariah 1:2
"Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon." - Zechariah 2:7
Zechariah 11:2 - "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down."
Zechariah 2:4 - "And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:"
Zechariah 2:9 - "For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me."
2 Chronicles 26:5 - "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper."
2 Chronicles 17:7 - "¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
2 Chronicles 20:14 - "¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;"
Zechariah 12:2 - "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem."
Zechariah 2:6 - "¶ Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD."
"For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." - Zechariah 2:5