Zechariah 2:4
New International Version
and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it.

New Living Translation
The other angel said, “Hurry, and say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem will someday be so full of people and livestock that there won’t be room enough for everyone! Many will live outside the city walls.

English Standard Version
and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.

Berean Standard Bible
and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

New American Standard Bible
And he said to him, “Run, speak to that young man there, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as open country because of the multitude of people and cattle within it.

NASB 1995
and said to him, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.

NASB 1977
and said to him, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.

Legacy Standard Bible
and said to him, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.

Amplified Bible
and he said to the second angel, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited [like villages] without walls [spreading out into the open country] because of the great number of people and livestock in it.

Christian Standard Bible
He said to him, “Run and tell this young man: Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the number of people and animals in it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said to him, “Run and tell this young man: Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the number of people and livestock in it.”

American Standard Version
and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "Hurry! Tell that man with the measuring line that Jerusalem won't have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals even to have a wall.

English Revised Version
and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and said to him, "Run, and say to that young man, 'Jerusalem will be inhabited like an unwalled village because it will have so many people and animals in it.

Good News Translation
The first one said to the other, "Run and tell that young man with the measuring line that there are going to be so many people and so much livestock in Jerusalem that it will be too big to have walls.

International Standard Version
That other angel told him, "Run and tell that young man: 'Jerusalem will be an inhabited city without walls due to the number of people and livestock within it.

Majority Standard Bible
and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.

NET Bible
and said to him, "Hurry, speak to this young man as follows: 'Jerusalem will no longer be enclosed by walls because of the multitude of people and animals there.

New Heart English Bible
and said to him, "Run, speak to this young man, saying, 'Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle in it.

World English Bible
and said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, "" Jerusalem is inhabited [as] open places, "" From the abundance of man and beast in her midst.

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith unto him, 'Run, speak unto this young man, saying: Unwalled villages inhabit doth Jerusalem, From the abundance of man and beast in her midst.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to him, Run, speak to this youth, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited an open country from the multitude of men and cattle in the midst of her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to him: Run, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem shall be inhabited without walls, by reason of the multitude of men, and of the beasts in the midst thereof.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to him: Hurry, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls, because of the multitude of men and beasts of burden in its midst.

New American Bible
and he said to the latter, “Run, speak to that official: Jerusalem will be unwalled, because of the abundance of people and beasts in its midst.

New Revised Standard Version
and said to him, “Run, say to that young man: Jerusalem shall be inhabited like villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and animals in it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to him, Run, speak to that young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle in it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to him: ”Run and say to that youth: Jerusalem shall inhabit fields from the abundance of the children of men and of domestic animals within her
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and said unto him: 'Run, speak to this young man, saying: 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and spoke to him, saying, Run and speak to that young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be fully inhabited by reason of the abundance of men and cattle in the midst of her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Measuring Line
3Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel came out to meet him 4and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it. 5For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’ ”…

Cross References
Isaiah 49:19-20
For your ruined and desolate places and your ravaged land will now indeed be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away. / Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’

Jeremiah 31:27-28
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and of beast. / Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 36:10-11
I will multiply the people upon you—the house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. / I will fill you with people and animals, and they will multiply and be fruitful. I will make you as inhabited as you once were, and I will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Isaiah 54:2-3
“Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep. / For you will spread out to the right and left; your descendants will dispossess the nations and inhabit the desolate cities.

Jeremiah 30:18-19
This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings. And the city will be rebuilt on her own ruins, and the palace will stand in its rightful place. / Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled.

Ezekiel 36:37-38
This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock. / Like the numerous flocks for sacrifices at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so the ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Isaiah 60:4-5
Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm. / Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.

Jeremiah 33:22
As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted and as the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so too will I multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister before Me.”

Isaiah 26:15
You have enlarged the nation, O LORD; You have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for Yourself; You have extended all the borders of the land.

Ezekiel 37:26-27
And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. / My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Revelation 21:2-3
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:10-11
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, / shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:23-24
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. / By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

And said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:

young.

Jeremiah 1:6
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Daniel 1:17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:17
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 8:4,5
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age…

Zechariah 12:6
In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

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Abundance Beast Cattle City Great Inhabit Inhabited Jerusalem Livestock Midst Multitude Quickly Reason Run Speak Therein Towns Unwalled Villages Walls Within Young
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Abundance Beast Cattle City Great Inhabit Inhabited Jerusalem Livestock Midst Multitude Quickly Reason Run Speak Therein Towns Unwalled Villages Walls Within Young
Zechariah 2
1. God, in the care of Jerusalem, sends to measure it.
6. The redemption of Zion.
10. The promise of God's presence.














and said to him
This phrase indicates a divine message being delivered, emphasizing the role of angels as messengers of God. In the Hebrew context, the word for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often conveys not just speaking but a declaration of divine will. This highlights the authority and importance of the message being delivered.

Run
The urgency in the command to "run" underscores the importance and immediacy of the message. In the ancient Near Eastern context, running was often associated with delivering news of great significance, akin to a royal decree. This urgency reflects the divine priority placed on the restoration and future glory of Jerusalem.

tell that young man
The "young man" refers to Zechariah himself, symbolizing youth and the potential for growth and renewal. In Hebrew, the term for "young man" (נַעַר, na'ar) can also imply a servant or someone in training, suggesting that Zechariah is being prepared for a significant role in God's plan.

Jerusalem will be a city without walls
This phrase is prophetic, envisioning a future where Jerusalem's security and prosperity are not dependent on physical barriers. Historically, city walls were crucial for protection, but this prophecy indicates divine protection and blessing. The absence of walls symbolizes openness, growth, and the breaking of limitations, reflecting God's abundant provision and care.

because of the multitude of men and livestock within it
The "multitude of men and livestock" signifies prosperity and divine blessing. In ancient times, a large population and abundant livestock were signs of wealth and God's favor. This imagery conveys a future where Jerusalem thrives under God's provision, overflowing with life and abundance, fulfilling the promises of restoration and blessing found throughout the prophetic literature.

Verse 4. - And said unto him; i.e. the second angel said to the interpreter. Run. He was to hasten and deliver the message, because it was a joyful one and calculated to allay the prophet's solicitude. This young man. The Prophet Zechariah. The term applied to him is thought to show that he was still young when the vision appeared; but the word is used also for minister, or servant, or disciple, without necessarily defining the age. Others, not so suitably, consider that the measuring angel is meant, who is thus stopped in his intention of measuring Jerusalem, as being ignorant of God's counsels. Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls. Jerusalem shall be as open villages in a plain country. The word perazoth is used in Ezekiel 38:11, meaning "unwalled villages" where men dwelt "without walls, having neither bars nor gates." So Esther 9:19, where it means, "country towns," in contrast to the metropolis, which was walled and fortified. The idea in the text is that Jerusalem in the future shall be so extended that walls shall no longer contain its inhabitants, but they shall spread themselves in the open country on every side. It is certain that the city did greatly increase in after time, if we may believe Aristeas's account in his famous letter to his brother Philocrates; and the annunciation of this prosperity would be a comfort to the prophet (comp. Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 5:04, 2). But no material increase of this nature satisfies the prophecy, which can only have its fulfilment in the spiritual Jerusalem, whose Builder is Christ, in whose light the nations of them that are saved shall walk (Revelation 21:24; see Isaiah 49:18, etc.; Isaiah 54:2, 3). This open condition implies not only extent, but peace and safety also. The reason of this quiet security is given in the next verse. Septuagint, Κατακάρπως κατοικηθήσεται Ἰερουσαλὴμ, "Jerusalem shall be abundantly inhabited."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to him,
אֵלָ֔ו‪‬‪‬ (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Run
רֻ֗ץ (ruṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7323: To run

and tell
דַּבֵּ֛ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

that
הַלָּ֖ז (hal·lāz)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1975: This, that

young man:
הַנַּ֥עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

‘Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

will be a city
תֵּשֵׁ֣ב (tê·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

without walls
פְּרָזוֹת֙ (pə·rā·zō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6519: An open region, hamlet

because of the multitude
מֵרֹ֥ב (mê·rōḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

of men
אָדָ֛ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and livestock
וּבְהֵמָ֖ה (ū·ḇə·hê·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

within it.
בְּתוֹכָֽהּ׃ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 2:4 And said to him Run speak (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 2:3
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