Zechariah 12:8

Protection and safety Strength and help in weakness

⁶ On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among the sheaves; they will consume all the peoples around them on the right and on the left, while the people of Jerusalem remain secure there.

⁷ The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah.

On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that 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 So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

¹⁰ Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that 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.
KJV: In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
WEB: In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like the LORD’s angel before them.
ASV: In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.
DARBY: In that day will Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that stumbleth among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David as God, as the Angel of Jehovah before them.
BLB: On that day YHWH will cover over those dwelling in Jerusalem, and the one stumbling among them will be on that day like David, and the house of David like God, like the angel of YHWH, before their faces!

ÅB: På den dag skal Herren verne Jerusalems innbyggere, og den iblant dem som snubler, skal på den dag være som David, og Davids hus skal være som Gud, som Herrens engel foran dem[^2].
OTB: På den dagen vil Herren beskytte innbyggerne i Jerusalem, så den svakeste blant dem vil være som David, og Davids hus vil være som Gud, som Herrens engel foran dem.
B1930: På den dag skal Herren verne Jerusalems innbyggere, og den iblandt dem som snubler, skal på den dag være som David, og Davids hus skal være som Gud, som Herrens engel foran dem. / < 2MO 14, 19.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Micah 5:2–4
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Read in context
Zechariah 9:8
But I will camp around My house because of an army, because of those who march to and fro, and never again will an oppressor overrun My people, for now I keep watch with My own eyes.
Read in context
Joel 3:16–17
The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Read in context
Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Read in context
Micah 7:16
Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf.
Read in context
Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’
Read in context
Zechariah 2:5
For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”
Read in context
Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Read in context