Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. New Living Translation The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar. English Standard Version The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. Berean Standard Bible The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. Berean Literal Bible YHWH of Hosts will give cover over them, and they will devour, and they will conquer with stones of a sling; and they will drink and roar as if with wine, and they will be full like a bowl, like the corners of the altar! King James Bible The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. New King James Version The LORD of hosts will defend them; They shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; They shall be filled with blood like basins, Like the corners of the altar. New American Standard Bible The LORD of armies will protect them. And they will devour and trample on the slingstones; And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine; And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin, Drenched like the corners of the altar. NASB 1995 The LORD of hosts will defend them. And they will devour and trample on the sling stones; And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine; And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin, Drenched like the corners of the altar. NASB 1977 The LORD of hosts will defend them. And they will devour, and trample on the sling stones; And they will drink, and be boisterous as with wine; And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin, Drenched like the corners of the altar. Legacy Standard Bible Yahweh of hosts will defend them. And they will consume and trample on the stones of a sling; And they will drink and roar as with wine; And they will be filled like a sacrificial bowl, Drenched like the corners of the altar. Amplified Bible The LORD of hosts shall defend and protect them; And they will devour [the enemy] and trample down the slingstones [that have missed their mark], And they will drink [of victory] and be boisterous as with wine; And they shall be filled like sacrificial bowls [used to catch the blood], Drenched like the corners of the [sacrificial] altar. Berean Annotated Bible The LORD {YHWH} of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. Christian Standard Bible The LORD of Armies will defend them. They will consume and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and be rowdy as if with wine. They will be as full as the sprinkling basin, like those at the corners of the altar. Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD of Hosts will defend them. They will consume and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and be rowdy as if with wine. They will be as full as the sprinkling basin, like those at the corners of the altar. American Standard Version Jehovah of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. Contemporary English Version The LORD All-Powerful will protect his people, and they will trample down the sharpshooters and their slingshots. They will drink and get rowdy; they will be as full as a bowl at the time of sacrifice. English Revised Version The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine: and they shall be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD of Armies will defend them. They will destroy and trample the stones used in slings. They will drink and shout as if they were drunk. They will be filled like a sacrificial bowl [used for sprinkling] the corners of the altar. Good News Translation The LORD Almighty will protect his people, and they will destroy their enemies. They will shout in battle like drunk men and will shed the blood of their enemies; it will flow like the blood of a sacrifice poured on the altar from a bowl. International Standard Version The LORD of the Heavenly Armies will defend them; they will devour and conquer those who sling stones. They will drink and be boisterous like those who are drunk. They will be filled to the brim with blood, like the corners of the altar. NET Bible The LORD who rules over all will guard them, and they will prevail and overcome with sling stones. Then they will drink, and will become noisy like drunkards, full like the sacrificial basin or like the corners of the altar. New Heart English Bible The LORD of hosts will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. Webster's Bible Translation The LORD of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. World English Bible Yahweh of Armies will defend them. They will destroy and overcome with sling stones. They will drink, and roar as through wine. They will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYHWH of Hosts covers them over, "" And they consumed, and subdued sling-stones, "" Indeed, they have drunk, "" They have made a noise as wine, "" And they have been full as a bowl, "" As corners of an altar. Berean Literal Bible YHWH of Hosts will give cover over them, and they will devour, and they will conquer with stones of a sling; and they will drink and roar as if with wine, and they will be full like a bowl, like the corners of the altar! Young's Literal Translation Jehovah of Hosts doth cover them over, And they consumed, and subdued sling-stones, Yea, they have drunk, They have made a noise as wine, And they have been full as a bowl, As corners of an altar. Smith's Literal Translation Jehovah of armies shall protect over them; and they devoured and subdued with the stones of the sling; and they drank, they made a noise as from wine; and they filled as the vase, as the corners of the altar. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe Lord of hosts will protect them: and they shall devour, and subdue with the stones of the sling: and drinking they shall be inebriated as it were with wine, and they shall be filled as bowls, and as the horns of the altar. Catholic Public Domain Version The Lord of hosts will protect them. And they will devour and subdue with the stones of the sling. And, when drinking, they will become inebriated, as if with wine, and they will be filled like bowls and like the horns of the altar. New American Bible The LORD of hosts will protect them; they will devour and conquer with sling stones, they will drink and become heated as with wine; they will be full like bowls—like the corners of the altar. New Revised Standard Version The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour and tread down the slingers; they shall drink their blood like wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink trouble like wine; and they shall be filled like a bowl, and as the corners of the altar. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts shall descend upon them and they shall eat, and stones in a sling shall conquer, and they shall drink trouble like wine and they shall be filled like a mixed drink and like the corners of the altar OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The LORD of hosts will defend them; And they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; And they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; And they shall be filled like the basins, like the corners of the altar. Brenton Septuagint Translation The Lord Almighty shall protect them, and they shall destroy them, and overwhelm them with sling-stones; and they shall swallow them down as wine, and fill the bowls as the altar. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The LORD will Save His People14Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. 16On that day the LORD their God will save them as the flock of His people; for like jewels in a crown they will sparkle over His land.… Cross References The LORD of Hosts will shield them. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. Psalm 115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield. Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; 1 Samuel 17:49-50 Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 1 Samuel 25:29 And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. 2 Chronicles 26:14 Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones. they will drink and roar as with wine. Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine. Psalm 104:15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, Exodus 24:6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar. 1 Kings 7:50 the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple. 2 Chronicles 4:8 Additionally, he made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. He also made a hundred gold bowls. drenched like the corners of the altar. Exodus 29:12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Leviticus 4:7 The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Leviticus 4:18 He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Isaiah 31:4-5 For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights. / Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.” Isaiah 63:1-6 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. … Treasury of Scripture The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. they shall devour. Zechariah 10:5 And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. 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. Micah 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. subdue. 1 Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. with sling stones. Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. Zechariah 10:7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD. Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. filled like bowls. Zechariah 14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. the corners. Exodus 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass. Leviticus 4:7,18,25 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation… Jump to Previous Almighty Altar Armed Armies Basin Basins Blood Boisterous Bowl Bowls Corners Cover Crushing Defend Destroy Devour Drenched Drink Filled Foot Full Hosts Noise Overcome Protect Roar Sacrificial Shield Sling Slingers Slingstones Sling-Stones Stones Subdue Trample Tread Used WineJump to Next Almighty Altar Armed Armies Basin Basins Blood Boisterous Bowl Bowls Corners Cover Crushing Defend Destroy Devour Drenched Drink Filled Foot Full Hosts Noise Overcome Protect Roar Sacrificial Shield Sling Slingers Slingstones Sling-Stones Stones Subdue Trample Tread Used WineZechariah 9 1. God defends his church.9. Zion is exhorted to rejoice for the coming of Christ, and his peaceable kingdom. 12. God's promises of victory and defense. The LORD of Hosts will shield them. This phrase emphasizes God's role as a divine protector and warrior. The title "LORD of Hosts" refers to God's command over the heavenly armies, indicating His supreme power and authority. This imagery is consistent with other Old Testament passages where God is depicted as a shield for His people (e.g., Psalm 18:2, Psalm 28:7). The context of Zechariah 9 is a prophecy of deliverance and victory for Israel, suggesting that God Himself will ensure their safety against their enemies. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme command over the heavenly armies, highlighting His power and authority to protect and deliver His people. 2. The People of Israel The recipients of God's protection and empowerment, symbolizing the faithful who trust in God's deliverance. 3. Slingstones A metaphor for the tools or means by which God’s people will achieve victory, reminiscent of David's victory over Goliath. 4. The Altar Represents the place of sacrifice and worship, indicating that the victory and subsequent joy are acts of divine service and dedication. 5. The Event of Deliverance This passage anticipates a future time of divine intervention where God will protect and empower His people against their enemies. Teaching Points God's ProtectionTrust in the LORD of Hosts as our shield and defender. He is capable of protecting us from any adversary, no matter how formidable they appear. Divine Empowerment God equips His people with the necessary tools to overcome challenges. Like the slingstones, our resources may seem insignificant, but with God's power, they become mighty. Joy in Victory The imagery of drinking and roaring as with wine signifies the joy and celebration that follows divine deliverance. Our victories in Christ should lead to worship and gratitude. Sacrificial Living Being filled like the bowls of the altar suggests a life dedicated to God. Our victories should lead us to deeper commitment and service to Him. Anticipation of Deliverance This passage encourages believers to look forward to God's ultimate deliverance, both in personal struggles and in the final victory over evil. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Zechariah 9:15?2. How does Zechariah 9:15 illustrate God's protection over His people? 3. What does "The LORD of Hosts will shield them" reveal about God's nature? 4. How can believers today apply the victory described in Zechariah 9:15? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Zechariah 9:15 and Ephesians 6:10-18? 6. How does Zechariah 9:15 encourage trust in God's deliverance during trials? 7. How does Zechariah 9:15 reflect God's protection over His people in battle? 8. What historical events might Zechariah 9:15 be referencing? 9. How does Zechariah 9:15 fit into the overall message of the book of Zechariah? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 9? 11. Who were the believers in the Old Testament? 12. Who was King Zechariah in the Bible? 13. Who was Joshua the High Priest in biblical history? 14. How does the promised divine judgment in Zechariah 1:14-15 align with or contradict other biblical accounts of God's dealings with foreign nations? What Does Zechariah 9:15 Mean The LORD of Hosts will shield themGod Himself stands as the defense of His people. He is not a distant observer but an active protector, surrounding them the way Psalm 3:3 describes: “You, O LORD, are a shield about me.” Picture a fortified wall that no enemy can penetrate—Psalm 18:2 calls Him “my fortress,” while Zechariah 2:5 promises “a wall of fire around” Jerusalem. The assurance is unqualified; if “God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Believers today rest in the same safeguarding power, “kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:5). They will destroy and conquer with slingstones The phrase evokes the unlikely weapon that brought down Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45–50). Slingstones suggest ordinary tools placed in consecrated hands, showing victory depends on the Lord, not on human strength. Judges 20:16 proves slingers could be remarkably accurate; here, that accuracy underscores decisive triumph. Zechariah had just pictured Judah as God’s “bow” against Greece (9:13); now he adds the sling, highlighting variety in God-ordained means. For the church, the principle endures: “The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:4). They will drink and roar as with wine After victory comes exuberant celebration. Isaiah 49:26 foretells enemies feeding “on their own flesh” and becoming “intoxicated with their own blood,” an image of total rout. Psalm 78:65 likens God’s awakening to “a warrior overcome by wine,” roaring into battle. The roaring here is joyful, not reckless—like a triumphant shout echoing through campfires. The battle is won; the people are jubilant. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls Sprinkling bowls in the temple caught sacrificial blood for atonement (Exodus 24:6; Leviticus 4:5–7). To be “filled” like these vessels means the nation will be saturated with the benefits of God’s victory—cleansing, consecration, and fellowship. It is as though every worshipper now overflows with the proof that sin has been dealt with and communion restored. Peter echoes the imagery when he speaks of believers chosen “for sprinkling with His blood” (1 Peter 1:2). Drenched like the corners of the altar Blood was smeared on the altar’s horns, symbolizing complete atonement (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 8:15). Zechariah says the people themselves will be as thoroughly covered—evidence of both sacrifice accepted and covenant renewed. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,” and here we see forgiveness lavishly applied, the very corners dripping. summary Zechariah 9:15 paints a vivid, literal tableau of God’s intervening power: He shields His people, equips them with surprising instruments for decisive victory, fills them with exuberant joy, and saturates them in covenant-cleansing grace. The passage moves from protection to triumph to celebration to consecration, assuring every believer that the God who fought for Judah still defends, empowers, and sanctifies all who trust in Him. Verse 15. - Shall defend them; ὑπερασπιεῖ αὐτούς, "shall put his shield over them" (Septuagint). There are numerous examples, in the Books of Maccabees, of God's special interposition in his people's favour, and thus far and in part fulfilling this prophecy (see 1 Macc. 3:16-24 1 Macc. 4:6-16 1 Macc. 7:40-50; 2 Macc. 2:21, 22 2Macc. 3:24, etc.; 5:2-4; 11:8; 12:11,15, 22, 28, 37; 15:7, etc.). They shall devour. The prophet seems to have had in view Numbers 23:24, where Israel is compared to a lion, eating of the prey and drinking the blood of the slain. So here he says they shall "devour," i.e. the flesh of their enemies (comp. Micah 5:8). Subdue with sling stones. So the Vulgate, and virtually the Septuagint, taking the case of the noun as instrumental; but it is best to take it as accusative of the object, as in the margin of the Authorized Version, "They shall tread down the stones of the sling." The "slingstones" are the enemies, as in the next verse "the stones of a crown" are the Jews; and the sentence means that the Jews shall tread their enemies underfoot like spent slingstones, which are of no account. Or it may signify simply and without metaphor that they shall despise the enemies' missiles, which shall fall harmless among them (Job 41:28, 29). They shall drink the blood of the slain, like lions. Make a noise. As men exhilarated with wine. Vulgate, Bibentes inebriabuntur quasi a vino (Isaiah 49:26; Ezekiel 39:17-19). Shall be filled like bowls. They shall be filled with blood like the sacrificial vessels in which the blood of victims was received (Zechariah 14:20). The corners of the altar. The blood was also sprinkled on the corners or sides of the altar (Leviticus 1:5, 11; Leviticus 3:2). There may be included the notion that the war against God's enemies was a sacred war, and accepted by him as a sacrifice. In the Maccabean struggle the bloodshed was often very considerable (see 1 Macc. 7:32, 46 1 Macc. 11:47; 2 Macc. 8:30 2Macc. 10:17, 23, 31, etc.).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The LORDיְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָאוֹת֮ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign will shield יָגֵ֣ן (yā·ḡên) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1598: To cover, surround, defend them. עֲלֵיהֶם֒ (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against They will consume וְאָכְל֗וּ (wə·’ā·ḵə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 398: To eat and conquer וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙ (wə·ḵā·ḇə·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3533: To subdue, bring into bondage with slingstones; אַבְנֵי־ (’aḇ·nê-) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 68: A stone they will drink וְשָׁת֥וּ (wə·šā·ṯū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8354: To imbibe [and] roar הָמ֖וּ (hā·mū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor as with כְּמוֹ־ (kə·mōw-) Preposition Strong's 3644: Like, as, when wine. יָ֑יִן (yā·yin) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication And they will be filled וּמָֽלְאוּ֙ (ū·mā·lə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of like [sacrificial] basins, כַּמִּזְרָ֔ק (kam·miz·rāq) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4219: Bowl, basin [drenched] like the corners כְּזָוִיּ֖וֹת (kə·zā·wî·yō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 2106: An angle, a corner-column of the altar. מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (miz·bê·aḥ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4196: An altar Links Zechariah 9:15 NIVZechariah 9:15 NLT Zechariah 9:15 ESV Zechariah 9:15 NASB Zechariah 9:15 KJV Zechariah 9:15 BibleApps.com Zechariah 9:15 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 9:15 Chinese Bible Zechariah 9:15 French Bible Zechariah 9:15 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zechariah 9:15 Yahweh of Armies will defend them (Zech. 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