Zechariah 9:3
Zechariah 9:3 in Multiple Translations
Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
And Tyre did build herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
And Tyre made for herself a strong place, and got together silver like dust and the best gold like the earth of the streets.
The people of Tyre built a fortress, and piled up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the street.
For Tyrus did build her selfe a strong holde, and heaped vp siluer as the dust, and golde as the myre of the streetes.
And Tyre doth build a bulwark to herself, And doth heap silver as dust, And gold as mire of out-places.
Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
And Tyre built herself a strong hold, and amassed silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
And Tyre hath built herself a strong hold, and heaped together silver as earth, and gold as the mire of the streets.
The people in Tyre built a high wall around their city. They piled up huge amounts of silver and gold as though they were piles of dirt in the streets.
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 9:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 9:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּ֥בֶן
צֹ֛ר
מָצ֖וֹר
לָ֑/הּ
וַ/תִּצְבָּר
כֶּ֨סֶף֙
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
וְ/חָר֖וּץ
כְּ/טִ֥יט
חוּצֽוֹת
וַ/תִּ֥בֶן
bânâh
H1129
to build
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
צֹ֛ר
Tsôr
H6865
Tyre
N-proper
מָצ֖וֹר
mâtsôwr
H4692
siege
N-ms
לָ֑/הּ
Prep | Suff
וַ/תִּצְבָּר
tsâbar
H6651
to heap
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
כֶּ֨סֶף֙
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Prep | N-ms
וְ/חָר֖וּץ
chărûwts
H2742
sharp
Conj | N-ms
כְּ/טִ֥יט
ṭîyṭ
H2916
mud
Prep | N-ms
חוּצֽוֹת
chûwts
H2351
outside
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 9:3
וַ/תִּ֥בֶן
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
צֹ֛ר
Tsôr
H6865
"Tyre"
N-proper
Tyre refers to a city on the Mediterranean coast, mentioned in the Bible as a major Phoenician city, translated as Tyre or Tyrus, meaning a rock. It appears in books like Matthew and Acts. The city was an important trade center.
Definition: § Tyre or Tyrus = "a rock" the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Tyre, Tyrus. See also: Joshua 19:29; Jeremiah 27:3; Psalms 45:13.
מָצ֖וֹר
mâtsôwr
H4692
"siege"
N-ms
This word refers to a siege or a place of entrenchment, like a fortress or stronghold. It's used in the Bible to describe a city under attack, such as in 2 Kings 17:5. It can also mean a defense or bulwark.
Definition: 1) siege-enclosure, siege, entrenchment, siege works 1a) siege 1b) enclosure, siege-works, rampart
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: besieged, bulwark, defence, fenced, fortress, siege, strong (hold), tower. See also: Deuteronomy 20:19; Jeremiah 19:9; Psalms 31:22.
לָ֑/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וַ/תִּצְבָּר
tsâbar
H6651
"to heap"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This verb means to gather or pile something up, like grain or silver, often used to describe accumulating wealth or resources. It appears in various contexts, including storing food or treasure.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to heap up, pile up 1a) of grain, dust, silver
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), heap (up), lay up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Job 27:16; Psalms 39:7.
כֶּ֨סֶף֙
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
וְ/חָר֖וּץ
chărûwts
H2742
"sharp"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word for gold also means something sharp or dug, like a trench. It appears in poetic passages, describing valuable or precious things. In some cases, it refers to determination or eagerness.
Definition: adj sharp-pointed, sharp, diligent
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall. See also: Job 41:22; Proverbs 13:4; Psalms 68:14.
כְּ/טִ֥יט
ṭîyṭ
H2916
"mud"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to mud or clay, and is also used figuratively to describe a difficult or calamitous situation. It appears in the Bible as a symbol of chaos or mess.
Definition: 1) mud, clay, mire, damp dirt 1a) mud, mire 1b) clay (poetical) Aramaic equivalent: tin (טִין "common" H2917)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: clay, dirt, mire. See also: 2 Samuel 22:43; Isaiah 57:20; Psalms 18:43.
חוּצֽוֹת
chûwts
H2351
"outside"
N-mp
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Definition: outside, outward, street, the outside
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. See also: Genesis 6:14; 2 Chronicles 24:8; Psalms 18:43.
Study Notes — Zechariah 9:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 9:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 9:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 9:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
- Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 9:3
- Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 9:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
- Sermons on Zechariah 9:3
Context — The Burden against Israel’s Enemies
1This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place— for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD —
2and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
3Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire. 5Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 27:33 | When your wares went out to sea, you satisfied many nations. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and merchandise. |
| 2 | Job 27:16 | Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, |
| 3 | Ezekiel 28:4–5 | By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it. |
| 4 | Joshua 19:29 | The border then turned back toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah, and came out at the Sea in the region of Achzib, |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 24:7 | They went toward the fortress of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went on to the Negev of Judah, to Beersheba. |
| 6 | Job 22:24 | and consign your gold to the dust and the gold of Ophir to the stones of the ravines, |
| 7 | Isaiah 23:8 | Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose traders are princes, whose merchants are renowned on the earth? |
| 8 | 1 Kings 10:27 | The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. |
Zechariah 9:3 Summary
Zechariah 9:3 talks about a city named Tyre that thought it was safe because it had a strong fortress and a lot of money. But God sees through this kind of thinking, as we're reminded in Jeremiah 17:5, where it's written that cursed is the man who trusts in mankind. The verse is saying that even though Tyre seems powerful and rich, its wealth is like dust and dirt - it's not lasting. This teaches us that true safety and security come from trusting in God, not in our money or the things we build (Psalm 37:3-4). We should focus on building our relationship with Him rather than just accumulating wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Tyre building a fortress in Zechariah 9:3?
Tyre's fortress represents its attempt to secure itself through wealth and power, but as seen in Zechariah 9:4, God will ultimately bring it down, demonstrating that true security comes from Him, as stated in Psalm 20:7.
Why is Tyre's wealth compared to dust and dirt in Zechariah 9:3?
The comparison of Tyre's wealth to dust and dirt emphasizes the fleeting nature of earthly riches, as also noted in Matthew 6:19-20, where Jesus teaches about the impermanence of treasure on earth.
What can we learn from Tyre's actions in Zechariah 9:3 about trusting in wealth?
Tyre's actions serve as a warning against trusting in wealth and material possessions for security, as 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us not to put our hope in uncertain riches but in the living God.
How does Zechariah 9:3 relate to the broader theme of God's judgment?
Zechariah 9:3 sets the stage for God's judgment on Tyre and other nations, as seen in Zechariah 9:4-5, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations and His ultimate judgment on those who oppose Him, as prophesied in Isaiah 13:6-16.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I am using as a 'fortress' to feel secure, and how can I shift my trust to God?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson from Tyre's wealth to my own handling of material possessions?
- How does the image of wealth being like dust and dirt impact my perspective on earthly treasures?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of true security and where it can be found?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 9:3
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold,.... Tyre was built upon a rock, and was a strong fortress itself, from whence it had its name; and, besides its natural defence, it had a wall one hundred
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 9:3
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
Tyrus; which was naturally a strong hold, situate on a great rock in the sea. Did build herself a strong hold; fortified herself mightily, and then thought herself impregnable. Heaped up silver; gathered treasure, and laid it up, so that there was no end of it. As the dust: it is a proverbial speech, and speaks the very rich stores of their gold and silver, by which they might buy their peace, or maintain their war. So that here is wisdom, strength, and treasure, the master sinews of war, yet all these cannot profit them in the day of their calamities approaching.
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
Zechariah 9:3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.Ver. 3. And Tyrus did build herself a stronghold] Thor did build herself Matsor; an elegance not to be translated (such as are many in the Old Testament, but especially in Isaiah). It is as if it should be said, A stronghold (such as Tyre, which was naturally fortified) did build itself a stronghold, sc. by the industry and diligence of men; so that she might seem impregnable; yet all should not do. Alexander, after seven months’ siege, took it, and destroyed it. And heaped up silver as dust] Pulverizavit argentum quasi pulverem. She had money enough (by means of her long and great trade with all the world, Ezekiel 27:1-36), and so might hire what soldiers she pleased for her defence. The sinews of war were not wanting to her. She heaped up her hoards as it were to heaven; her magazines were full fraught. The word here rendered heaped up signifieth to comport and gather in money, as men do grain into barns and granaries, Exodus 8:10 Psalms 39:7. But riches avail not in the day of wrath.
And Tyre converted, leaves laying up and treasuring, and falls to feeding and clothing God’ s saints, Isaiah 23:18.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
Verse 3. And Tyrus did build herself] The rock on which Tyre was built was strongly fortified; and that she had abundance of riches has been already seen, Ezekiel 28:1, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 9:3
3. a strong hold] There is a paronomasia, or play on the words ‘Tyre’ and ‘stronghold,’ in the Hebrew. The reference is to the strongly fortified position of Tyre, which when Alexander attacked it “was situated on an island, nearly half a mile from the mainland. It was completely surrounded by prodigious walls, the loftiest portion of which on the side fronting the mainland reached a height not less than 150 feet; and notwithstanding his persevering efforts he could not have succeeded in his attempt, if the harbour of Tyre to the north had not been blockaded by the Cyprians, and that to the south by the Phœnicians, thus affording an opportunity to Alexander for uniting the island to the mainland by an enormous artificial mole.” Dict. of Bible, Art. Tyre. “Plurimum fiduciæ Tyro munitionibus insulæ et præparatis rerum copiis.” Diod. Sic. xvii. 40. as the dust] Comp. Job 27:16; 2 Chronicles 9:27.
Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 9:3
And Tyre did build herself a stronghold - She built it for herself, not for God, and trusted to it, not to God, and so its strength brought her the greater fall. The words in Hebrew express yet more.
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 9:3
THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Zechariah 9:1 to Zechariah 14:21.
Sermons on Zechariah 9:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Distance of Difference by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significant spiritual journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea, illustrating how the eleven-day journey turned into forty years due to the 'distance of d |
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From the Wilderness to the Land by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the journey from the wilderness to the promised land, illustrating the spiritual distance between Christians and Christ. He explains that the forty year |