Zechariah 12:3

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

And on that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who try to lift it will be severely injured, and all the nations of the earth will gather against her.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְהָיָ֣ה בַיּוֹם־הַ֠הוּא אָשִׂ֨ים אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם אֶ֤בֶן מַֽעֲמָסָה֙ לְכָל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים כָּל־עֹמְסֶ֖יהָ שָׂר֣וֹט יִשָּׂרֵ֑טוּ וְנֶאֶסְפ֣וּ עָלֶ֔יהָ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃

Transliteration

Wə-hāyāh in-hayyôm-that ʾāśîm ʾet-Yərûšālaim ʾeḇen maʿămāsāh to-all-hāʿammîm all-ʿōməsêhā śārôṭ yiśśārēṭû wə-neʾespû against-her all gôyê hāʾāreṣ

Grammar Details

• *Wə*: conjunction - and
• *hāyāh*: perfect, 3rd person masculine singular, Qal - it will be/come to pass
• *hayyôm*: definite article + masculine singular - the day
• *ʾāśîm*: imperfect, 1st person singular, Qal - I will make/set/place
• *ʾet*: direct object marker
• *Yərûšālaim*: proper noun, feminine singular - Jerusalem
• *ʾeḇen*: feminine singular - stone
• *maʿămāsāh*: feminine singular - burden/heavy weight
• *hāʿammîm*: definite article + masculine plural - the peoples/nations
• *ʿōməsêhā*: masculine plural construct + 3rd person feminine singular suffix - those lifting her/her lifters
• *śārôṭ*: infinitive absolute, Qal - severely/surely lacerate
• *yiśśārēṭû*: imperfect, 3rd person masculine plural, Niphal - they will be lacerated/cut/wounded
• *neʾespû*: perfect with waw consecutive, 3rd person plural, Niphal - they will be gathered
• *gôyê*: masculine plural construct - nations of
• *hāʾāreṣ*: definite article + feminine singular - the earth/land

Word Meanings

• *hāyāh*: it will be/come to pass/happen
• *ʾeḇen* *maʿămāsāh*: burdensome stone/heavy stone/weight-bearing stone
• *ʿōməsêhā*: those who lift her/burden themselves with her
• *śārôṭ* *yiśśārēṭû*: surely be cut/definitely be wounded/certainly be lacerated
• *neʾespû*: will be gathered/assembled/collected together

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all who burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And it shall come to pass in that day,{H3117} that I will make{H7760} Jerusalem{H3389} a burdensome{H4614} stone{H68} for all the peoples;{H5971} all that burden{H6006} themselves with it shall be sore wounded;{H8295} and all the nations{H1471} of the earth{H776} shall be gathered together{H622} against it.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And in that day{H3117} will I make{H7760}{(H8799)} Jerusalem{H3389} a burdensome{H4614} stone{H68} for all people{H5971}: all that burden{H6006}{(H8802)} themselves with it shall be cut in pieces{H8295}{(H8800)}{H8295}{(H8735)}, though all the people{H1471} of the earth{H776} be gathered together{H622}{(H8738)} against it.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  At the same tyme will I make Ierusalem an heuy stone for all people, so that all soch as lift it vp, shalbe toarne and rete, and all the people of the earth shalbe gathered together agaynst it.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And in that day will I make Ierusalem an heauie stone for all people: all that lift it vp, shall be torne, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  At the same time wyll I make Hierusalem an heauy stone for all people, so that al such as lyft it vp shalbe torne and rent, and all the people of the earth shal be gathered together against it.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And it hath come to pass, in that day, I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone to all the peoples, All loading it are completely pressed down, And gathered against it have been all nations of the earth.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a stone of great weight for all the peoples; all those who take it up will be badly wounded; and all the nations of the earth will come together against it.

• World English Bible (2000)

  It will happen in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples. All who burden themselves with it will be severely wounded, and all the nations of the earth will be gathered together against it.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Moreover, on that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy burden for all the nations, and all who try to carry it will be seriously injured; yet all the peoples of the earth will be assembled against it.

Referenced Verses

• Matt 21:44 : 44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will crush him to powder.
• Zech 14:2-4 : 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle, and the city will be captured, the houses will be plundered, and the women violated. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in a day of battle. 4 On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which lies before Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a very great valley, so that half of the mountain will move northward and the other half southward.
• Dan 2:34-35 : 34 While you were watching, a stone was cut out, not by human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet and broke them into pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were all crushed together and became like chaff from a summer threshing floor. The wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
• Dan 2:44-45 : 44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will stand forever. 45 This is because you saw a stone cut out from a mountain without human hands, and it crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God has made known to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is trustworthy.
• Zech 14:6 : 6 On that day, there will be no light; the precious lights will diminish and freeze.
• Luke 20:18 : 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will crush them.'
• Zech 13:1 : 1 On that day, a fountain will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
• Isa 60:12 : 12 For any nation or kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations will be utterly ruined.
• Isa 66:14-16 : 14 You will see, and your heart will rejoice; your bodies will flourish like grass. The hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants, but His indignation will be known to His enemies. 15 For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and His chariots will be like a whirlwind, to bring down His wrath in fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For the Lord will execute judgment by fire and by His sword on all mankind, and many will be those slain by the Lord.
• Ezek 38:1-9 : 1 The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 2 Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 Say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them wielding swords. 5 Persia, Cush, and Put will be with them, all of them with shields and helmets. 6 Gomer and all its troops, the house of Togarmah from the far north with all its troops, and many nations with you. 7 Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your company gathered around you, and you will be their commander. 8 After many days, you will be called to attention. In the latter years, you will go against a land that has been brought back from the sword and gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. Its people were brought out from the nations, and now they dwell securely, all of them. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land—you and all your troops and the many peoples with you. 10 This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your heart, and you will devise an evil plan. 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will attack peaceful people who live securely—all of them living without walls, without gates and bars.’ 12 You will come to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against resettled ruins and against a people gathered from the nations, people acquiring livestock and goods, who live at the center of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish with all their young lions will say to you: ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you gathered your hordes to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and possessions, to make off with great plunder?’ 14 Therefore, prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day when my people Israel are living securely, will you not be aware of it? 15 You will come from your place out of the far north—you and many peoples with you, all riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army. 16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land so that the nations may know me, as I show myself holy through you before their eyes, O Gog. 17 This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you the one I spoke of in former days through my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time, they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. 18 On that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, my fury will rise up in my face. 19 In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare: On that day, there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble, and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 I will call for a sword against him on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. The sword of every man will be against his brother. 22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour down torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone on him and on his troops and on the many peoples with him. 23 Thus I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
• Rev 16:14 : 14 They are demonic spirits performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world to gather them for battle on the great day of God Almighty.
• Rev 17:12-14 : 12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings for one hour along with the beast. 13 These kings have one purpose, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.
• Rev 19:19-21 : 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and His army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf. By these signs he had deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. 21 The rest were killed by the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
• Rev 20:8-9 : 8 He will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.
• Zech 14:8-9 : 8 On that day, living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea. It will continue in both summer and winter. 9 The Lord will be King over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one, and His name one.
• Zech 14:13 : 13 On that day, a great panic from the Lord will come upon them. Each will seize the hand of his neighbor, and they will attack one another.
• Joel 3:8-9 : 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a distant nation. The LORD has spoken. 9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Arouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and advance. 10 Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’ 11 Hasten and come, all you nations from every side, and gather yourselves there. Bring down, LORD, your mighty ones. 12 Let the nations be aroused; let them advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. 13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow—because their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will withdraw their brightness. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and shout from Jerusalem; the heavens and the earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people and a stronghold for the children of Israel.
• Obad 1:18 : 18 The house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; the house of Esau will be stubble. They will set it on fire and consume it. There will be no survivors from the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.
• Mic 4:11-13 : 11 But now many nations are gathered against you, saying, 'Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gloat over Zion.' 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand His plan, that He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 13 Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will make your horn like iron and your hooves like bronze, and you will crush many nations. You will dedicate their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
• Mic 5:8 : 8 Your hand will be lifted up in victory over your adversaries, and all your enemies will be cut off.
• Mic 7:15-17 : 15 As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them miraculous wonders. 16 The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf. 17 They will lick the dust like snakes, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds; they will dread the LORD our God and stand in awe of You.
• Hab 2:17 : 17 The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of beasts will terrify you, because of human bloodshed and violence against the land, the city, and all who live in it.
• Zeph 3:19 : 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. I will save the lame and gather the scattered. I will make them a praise and a name in every land where they have suffered shame.
• Hag 2:22 : 22 I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
• Zech 2:8-9 : 8 He said to him, 'Run and tell that young man: Jerusalem will be inhabited as a city without walls because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.' 9 'And I will be a wall of fire around her,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be the glory within her.'
• Zech 10:3-5 : 3 My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts cares for His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like a splendid warhorse. 4 From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the battle bow, and every ruler together. 5 They will be like mighty warriors, trampling through the mire of the streets in battle. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses will be put to shame.
• Zech 12:4 : 4 On that day,” declares the Lord, “I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the nations with blindness.
• Zech 12:6 : 6 On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a fire pot in a woodpile and like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples on the right and on the left, while Jerusalem will remain secure in her place.
• Zech 12:8-9 : 8 On that day, the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. 9 On that day, I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
• Zech 12:11 : 11 On that day, the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.