Zechariah 8:23
New International Version
This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

New Living Translation
“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ”

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
The LORD of armies says this: ‘In those days ten people from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

NASB 1995
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."’”

NASB 1977
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from every tongue of the nations will take hold of the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men [as representatives] from all the nations will grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD of Armies says this: “In those days, ten men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD of Hosts says this: “In those days, 10 men from nations of every language will grab the robe of a Jewish man tightly, urging: Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

Contemporary English Version
When this happens, ten people from nations with different languages will grab a Jew by his clothes and say, "Let us go with you. We've heard that God is on your side." I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken!

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD of Armies says: In those days ten people from every language found among the nations will take hold of the clothes of a Jew. They will say, "Let us go with you because we have heard that God is with you."

Good News Translation
In those days ten foreigners will come to one Jew and say, 'We want to share in your destiny, because we have heard that God is with you.'"

International Standard Version
"This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'In the future, ten men speaking all the languages of the nations will grab hold of one Jewish person by the hem of his garment and say, "Let us go up to Jerusalem with you, because we heard that God is with you."'"

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

NET Bible
The LORD who rules over all says, 'In those days ten people from all languages and nations will grasp hold of--indeed, grab--the robe of one Jew and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'"

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: "In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

World English Bible
Yahweh of Armies says: “In those days, ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH of Hosts: In those days ten men of all languages of the nations take hold, "" Indeed, they have taken hold on the skirt of a man, a Jew, saying, "" We go with you, for we heard God [is] with you!”

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: In those days take hold do ten men of all languages of the nations, Yea, they have taken hold on the skirt of a man, a Jew, saying: We go with you, for we heard God is with you!

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of armies: In those days, that ten men shall take hold from all tongues of the nations, and they took hold of the wing of a man a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we heard God is with you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts : In those days, wherein ten men of all languages of the Gentiles shall take hold, and shall hold fast the shirt of one that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days, then, ten men from every language of the Gentiles will grasp and cling to the hem of one man of Judea, saying: “We will go with you. For we have heard that God is with you.”

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten people from nations of every language will take hold, yes, will take hold of the cloak of every Judahite and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from nations of every language shall take hold of a Jew, grasping his garment and saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every language shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: in those days ten men of all languages of the nations shall hold on the skirt of a Jewish man and they will say to him: ’let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord Almighty; In those days my word shall be fulfilled if ten men of all the languages of the nations should take hold - even take hold of the hem of a Jew, saying, We will go with thee; for we have heard that God is with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Jerusalem
22And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.” 23This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Cross References
Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:2
And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Isaiah 60:3
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:5
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.

Isaiah 60:10-12
Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy. / Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led in procession. / For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.

Isaiah 61:6
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.

Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all.

Jeremiah 33:9
So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it.

Zephaniah 3:9-10
For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. / From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, My scattered people, will bring Me an offering.

Acts 2:5-11
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. / And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. / Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ...

Acts 15:17
so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things

Romans 11:25-26
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. / And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

Romans 15:9-12
so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” / Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” / And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” ...

1 Corinthians 14:25
and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

ten men.

Genesis 31:7,41
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me…

Numbers 14:22
Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Job 19:3
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.

out.

Isaiah 66:18
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Revelation 7:9,10
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; …

Revelation 14:6,7
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, …

take.

1 Samuel 15:27,28
And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent…

Isaiah 3:6
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:

Isaiah 4:1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

We will.

Numbers 10:29-32
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel…

Ruth 1:16,17
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: …

2 Samuel 15:19-22
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile…

we have.

Numbers 14:14-16
And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night…

Deuteronomy 4:6,7
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people…

Joshua 2:9-13
And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you…

Jump to Previous
Armies Heard Hold Hosts Jew Languages Nations Skirt Ten
Jump to Next
Armies Heard Hold Hosts Jew Languages Nations Skirt Ten
Zechariah 8
1. The restoration of Jerusalem.
9. They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them.
16. Good works are required of them.
18. Joy and blessing are promised.














This is what the LORD of Hosts says
This phrase emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God, often used by prophets to assert that the message is directly from God. The title "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) signifies God's supreme command over the heavenly armies, underscoring His power and ability to fulfill His promises. Historically, this title reassured Israel of God's protection and might, especially during times of turmoil.

In those days
This phrase points to a future time, often associated with messianic expectations or eschatological events. It suggests a period of divine intervention and fulfillment of God's promises. In the context of Zechariah, it refers to a time of restoration and blessing for Israel, aligning with prophetic visions of a renewed Jerusalem.

ten men from all nations and languages
The number "ten" symbolizes completeness or a significant portion, indicating a large and diverse group. "All nations and languages" highlights the universal scope of God's plan, transcending ethnic and linguistic barriers. This reflects the Abrahamic promise that through Israel, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3), and foreshadows the New Testament vision of the gospel reaching all peoples.

will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew
The act of "tightly grasping" signifies earnestness and desperation, a strong desire to connect with the blessings associated with the Jewish people. The "robe" symbolizes identity and authority, suggesting respect and recognition of the Jew's unique relationship with God. Historically, this reflects the acknowledgment of Israel's role as a light to the nations, as seen in Isaiah 49:6.

saying, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you
This statement reveals a recognition of God's presence and favor with the Jewish people. The desire to "go with you" indicates a willingness to join and learn from them, acknowledging the spiritual truth and blessings they possess. This echoes the prophetic vision of nations streaming to Jerusalem to learn God's ways (Isaiah 2:2-3), and anticipates the New Testament fulfillment where Gentiles are grafted into the spiritual blessings of Israel (Romans 11:17-24).

Verse 23. - Ten men. The number ten is used for a large indefinite number (comp. Genesis 31:7; Leviticus 26:26; 1 Samuel 1:8). Out of all languages (the languages) of the nations. The diversity of languages shall not hinder the unity in the faith (comp. Isaiah 66:18; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 7:9). Shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew. Taking hold of the skirt implies a desire to share the privileges, and to be united in fellowship with (comp. Isaiah 4:1; Haggai 2:12). St. Cyril considers the idea to be that the heathen shall cling to the Jews like children holding their fathers' dress for support and guidance. In "the man that is a Jew" St. Jerome discerns the Messiah. We will go with you. The picture presented to the mind by this verse is of a Jew journeying to Jerusalem from some distant country to keep a solemn festival, and a number of Gentiles clinging round him, asking permission to accompany him on his journey, because they have learned how good the Lord has been to his countrymen. But the ideal intended is much more than this. Salvation, indeed, is of the Jews; it began to be announced at Jerusalem; it was preached by the Jewish apostles; its founder was of the seed of David. But the true Israelites are not merely those who are of the natural posterity of Abraham, but all true Christians united under Christ, the Head. To their number all who would be saved must be joined (comp. Romans 4:11; Galatians 3:7, 29; Galatians 4:26, etc.).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֥ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָאוֹת֒ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֮ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“In those
הָהֵ֔מָּה (hā·hêm·māh)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

days
בַּיָּמִ֣ים (bay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

ten
עֲשָׂרָ֣ה (‘ă·śā·rāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

men
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from all nations
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

[and]
מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

languages
לְשֹׁנ֣וֹת (lə·šō·nō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

will tightly
יַחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙ (ya·ḥă·zî·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

grasp
וְֽהֶחֱזִ֡יקוּ (wə·he·ḥĕ·zî·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the robe
בִּכְנַף֩ (biḵ·nap̄)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

of a Jewish
יְהוּדִ֜י (yə·hū·ḏî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish

man,
אִ֨ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

saying,
לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Let us go
נֵֽלְכָה֙ (nê·lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with you,
עִמָּכֶ֔ם (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we have heard
שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ (šā·ma‘·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that God
אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is with you.’”
עִמָּכֶֽם׃ (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


Links
Zechariah 8:23 NIV
Zechariah 8:23 NLT
Zechariah 8:23 ESV
Zechariah 8:23 NASB
Zechariah 8:23 KJV

Zechariah 8:23 BibleApps.com
Zechariah 8:23 Biblia Paralela
Zechariah 8:23 Chinese Bible
Zechariah 8:23 French Bible
Zechariah 8:23 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Zechariah 8:23 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: In those (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 8:22
Top of Page
Top of Page