Zechariah 9:9
New International Version
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

New Living Translation
Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

English Standard Version
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Berean Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

King James Bible
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

New King James Version
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.

New American Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

NASB 1995
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

NASB 1977
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Legacy Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a loud shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Lowly and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.

Amplified Bible
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King (Messianic King) is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble and unassuming [in submission to the will of the Father] and riding on a donkey, Upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Christian Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

American Standard Version
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone in Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! Your king has won a victory, and he is coming to you. He is humble and rides on a donkey; he comes on the colt of a donkey.

English Revised Version
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal.

Good News Translation
Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

International Standard Version
"Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; cry out, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, and he is able to save. He is humble, and is riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Majority Standard Bible
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

NET Bible
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey--on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.

New Heart English Bible
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion. Shout, daughter of Jerusalem. Look, your king comes to you. He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Webster's Bible Translation
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh to thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

World English Bible
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Rejoice exceedingly, O daughter of Zion, "" Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, "" Behold, your King comes to you, "" Righteous and having salvation, "" Afflicted—and riding on a donkey, "" And on a colt—a son of female donkeys.

Young's Literal Translation
Rejoice exceedingly, O daughter of Zion, Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, Lo, thy King doth come to thee, Righteous -- and saved is He, Afflicted -- and riding on an ass, And on a colt -- a son of she-asses.

Smith's Literal Translation
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; make a loud noise, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king shall come to thee: just, and saving; he is humble and riding upon an ass, and upon an ass's colt the son of asses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem: BEHOLD THY KING will come to thee, the just and saviour: he is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Rejoice well, daughter of Zion, shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King will come to you: the Just One, the Savior. He is poor and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt, the son of a donkey.

New American Bible
Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

New Revised Standard Version
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; he is righteous and a Saviour, lowly and riding upon an ass, upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Celebrate greatly, daughter of Zion, and shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you, righteous and The Savior, and he is meek and rides on a donkey, and upon a colt, son of a donkey!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, He is triumphant, and victorious, Lowly, and riding upon an ass, Even upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; proclaim it aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King is coming to thee, just, and a Saviour; he is meek and riding on an ass, and a young foal.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Zion's Coming King
9Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:4-5
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: / “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

John 12:14-15
Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”

Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”

Psalm 118:25-26
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper! / Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Genesis 49:10-11
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. / He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

Luke 19:35-38
Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it. / As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. / And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: ...

Matthew 21:9
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

John 12:13
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Mark 11:7-10
Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it. / Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. / The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” ...

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Micah 5:2
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.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Psalm 72:8-11
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. / May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. / May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. ...

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Daniel 9:25
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.


Treasury of Scripture

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on an ass, and on a colt the foal of an ass.

Rejoice.

Zechariah 2:10
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

Psalm 97:6-8
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory…

Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

behold.

Psalm 2:6
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 45:1
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 110:1-4
A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool…

he is.

Psalm 45:6,7
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre…

Psalm 85:9-12
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land…

Isaiah 45:21
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

having salvation.

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 21:5-7
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass…

Mark 11:7
And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

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Zechariah 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.














Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
The phrase "Rejoice greatly" is a call to exuberant joy and celebration. The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is "giyl," which implies a spinning around with intense emotion. This is not a mere suggestion but a command to express profound joy. "Daughter of Zion" is a poetic term for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, representing the people of God. Zion, a hill in Jerusalem, symbolizes the spiritual center of God's kingdom. Historically, this call to rejoice is set against the backdrop of Israel's anticipation of deliverance and restoration, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature.

Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
"Shout in triumph" translates the Hebrew "hari'u," which means to raise a shout or give a blast, often used in the context of victory or celebration. The "Daughter of Jerusalem" parallels "Daughter of Zion," emphasizing the intimate relationship between God and His people. This phrase underscores the prophetic vision of a future where God's promises are fulfilled, and His people experience ultimate victory. The historical context here is significant, as Jerusalem had faced numerous sieges and destructions, yet the promise of triumph remains.

See, your King comes to you
The word "See" is an invitation to behold or pay attention, indicating the importance of the event. "Your King" refers to the anticipated Messiah, a central figure in Jewish expectation. The Hebrew word for "king" is "melek," denoting one who reigns with authority and power. The phrase "comes to you" suggests a personal and direct approach, highlighting the intimate relationship between the King and His people. This is a prophetic vision of the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills this messianic expectation.

righteous and victorious
"Righteous" is translated from the Hebrew "tsaddiq," meaning just or morally right. This characteristic of the King emphasizes His divine nature and perfect justice. "Victorious" comes from the Hebrew "noshah," which can also mean saved or delivered. This duality points to the King as both the deliverer and the one who embodies salvation. In the context of Jesus, this speaks to His sinless life and His victory over sin and death through His resurrection.

humble and riding on a donkey
The word "humble" is from the Hebrew "ani," which can mean poor, afflicted, or meek. This humility is not weakness but a deliberate choice of lowliness, contrasting with the typical royal procession. "Riding on a donkey" is significant; in ancient Near Eastern culture, kings rode horses during wartime but donkeys during times of peace. This imagery points to the peaceful nature of the Messiah's reign. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, as recorded in the Gospels, directly fulfills this prophecy, symbolizing His peaceful mission.

on a colt, the foal of a donkey
The "colt" and "foal of a donkey" emphasize the youth and purity of the animal, underscoring the humility and peace associated with the King's arrival. This detail highlights the fulfillment of prophecy with precision, as Jesus instructed His disciples to find a colt for His entry into Jerusalem. The use of a young donkey, never ridden before, signifies a new beginning and the inauguration of a new covenant. This imagery is rich with symbolism, pointing to the gentle and humble nature of Christ's kingdom, contrasting with earthly kingdoms built on power and conquest.

Verses 9, 10. - § 2. Then shall the righteous King come to Zion in lowly fashion, and inaugurate a kingdom of peace. Verse 9. - The prophet invites Jerusalem to rejoice at the coming of the promised salvation in the Person of her King; no mighty earthly potentate and conqueror, like Alexander the Great, but one of different fashion (comp. Zephaniah 3:14). Thy King cometh unto thee. St. Matthew (Matthew 21:5) and St. John (John 12:15) see a fulfilment of this prophecy in Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the first day of the week in which he was crucified. All attempts to disprove the Messianic import of this passage have been unavailing. Even critics who refer this part of Zechariah (ch. 9-11.) to an unknown author writing in the time of Hezekiah, allow that it is replete with Messianic ideas, and can be applied to no hero of Jewish story or event of Jewish history. There is no other "King" of Israel to whom it can refer. Our blessed Lord himself, by his abnormal actions on Palm Sunday, plainly assumed the part of the predicted King, and meant the people to recognize in him the promised Messiah (see the full discussion of the subject in Dr. Pusey's notes, pp. 556, etc.). Thy King. A king of thine own race, no stranger, but one predestined for thee. He who was foretold by all the prophets, who was to occupy the throne of David, and reign forever (Psalm 2:6; Psalm 45:1, 6, 7; Isaiah 32:1). Unto thee. For thy good, to bless thee (Isaiah 9:6). Just. Righteous in character and in practice, ruling in equity (Psalm 72:1-4, 7; Isaiah 11:2-4). Having salvation; Septuagint, σώζων, "saving." Vulgate, salvator; so the Syriac and Chaldee. The genius of the language requires the participle to be taken passively, as it is in two other passages where it occurs (Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 33:16). The context has seemed to some to demand that it be understood in an active sense, thus contrasting him who came to save with the haughty Grecian conqueror, whose progress was marked by bloodshed. But the usual meaning of the word affords a satisfactory sense. The King who comes is "saved," endowed with salvation, either as being protected and upheld by God (Psalm 18:50; Psalm 110:1, 2, 5; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:8), or as being victorious and so able to aid his people. In this latter view, the active sense is included in the passive. His own deliverance is a sure sign of the deliverance of his people. Lowly; Septuagint, πραύς, "meek;" Vulgate, pauper - meek and lowly, as Christ himself says (Matthew 11:29),far removed from warlike pomp and worldly greatness. The word is also rendered "afflicted," and would then be in accordance with the description in Isaiah 52:13-53:5; Psalm 22:6. Riding upon an ass. In illustration of his poor or afflicted estate; it is this, and not merely the peace. fulness of his reign, that is meant by this symbolical action, as we see by the following clause, where the youthfulness of the animal is the point enforced. And (even, and that) upon a colt the foal of an ass; such as she asses bear, and one not trained; as the evangelist says, "whereon never man sat." Christ sat upon the foal. In old times judges and men of distinction rode upon asses (Genesis 22:3; Judges 5:10; Judges 10:4); but from Solomon's days the horse had been used, not only in war, but on all state occasions (Jeremiah 17:25); and the number of horses brought back on the return from Babylon is specially mentioned (Ezra 2:66). So to predicate of a King that he would come to his capital riding, not on a war horse, but on a young, unbroken ass, showed at once that he himself was not to be considered a victorious general or a worldly potentate, and that his kingdom was not to be won or maintained by carnal arms. This is signified more fully in the following verse, which describes the character and extent of Messiah's kingdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Rejoice
גִּילִ֨י (gî·lî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

greatly,
מְאֹ֜ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

O daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Zion!
צִיּ֗וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

Shout in triumph,
הָרִ֙יעִי֙ (hā·rî·‘î)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 7321: To mar, to split the ears, shout

O daughter
בַּ֣ת (baṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

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

See,
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

your King
מַלְכֵּךְ֙ (mal·kêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

comes
יָ֣בוֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to you,
לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

righteous
צַדִּ֥יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

and victorious,
וְנוֹשָׁ֖ע (wə·nō·wō·šā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

gentle
עָנִי֙ (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

and riding
וְרֹכֵ֣ב (wə·rō·ḵêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a donkey,
חֲמ֔וֹר (ḥă·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

on
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a colt,
עַ֖יִר (‘a·yir)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5895: A young ass, an ass-colt

the foal
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of a donkey.
אֲתֹנֽוֹת׃ (’ă·ṯō·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 860: A female donkey


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly daughter of Zion! (Zech. Zec Zc)
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