Zechariah 9:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In times past, the Babylonians and neighboring nations attacked Jerusalem riding horses and in chariots, using bows to inflict tremendous suffering, as it is written (Psalms 19:8; Psalms 77:9). Thus, the ordinary circumstances illustrate the magnitude of Christ’s glorious works. He is foretold to arrive not as a distant savior, nor as a mighty and harsh ruler, nor with a retinue of warriors and countless skilled soldiers. While He presents Himself humbly, barely able to ride on a young donkey, His valor will be unmatched, bringing abundant blessings to all who put their faith in Him. He will destroy Ephraim’s chariots and eradicate Jerusalem's horses, dismantle instruments of war, and establish profound peace among nations. Ephraim symbolizes the ten tribes that inhabited Samaria, while Jerusalem represents the people of Judah and Benjamin. Therefore, the prophetic message also provides a foundation for safety and tranquility, for it proclaims that the holy city shall remain unassailable by those wishing to bring it to ruin. The Savior will expand His kingdom to encompass all of Judea, reaching from the sea to the rivers, representing the boundaries of the earth. The divine David poetically refers to the Jewish congregation as a vine when he declares, “He shall extend His rule to the sea, and even to the rivers of His branches” (Psalm 79:12). Indeed, the land of the Jews is bordered by the sea, southward to India, and the region of the Middle River. However, Christ's dominion is not confined to these geographic territories—far from it. The narrative shifts from a private example to a universal truth, as He reigns not merely over Judea but over all creation, with authority stretching from the ends of the earth to the very ends of the earth.

There are various interpretations regarding what the prophet intended by this pit, even from a perspective of sound faith. Personally, I believe it represents the dry and desolate depths of human need, devoid of streams of truth, yet full of the impurities of sin. The Psalmist echoes this sentiment: "He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog" (Psalm 39:3).

In the days of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, the Israelites divided when the ten tribes rejected the dominion of the house of Judah and David, subsequently appointing Jeroboam as their king, who established his reign in Samaria. Rehoboam, however, remained in Jerusalem, limited to the tribes that did not separate from him. Ultimately, the tribe of Ephraim and the others came together with the tribe of Judah, forming a single nation. “...and He shall speak peace to the nations.” This is illustrated by the Cross upon which Christ was exalted for humanity’s transgressions. Peace was also proclaimed through Christ's disciples, who were commissioned to share the message of salvation and baptize the nations. Through His crucifixion, Christ reconciled both Jews and Gentiles, bringing unity between all.

When the Pharisees questioned why He did not rebuke the children, He replied, “Have ye not read, Out of the mouths of babes and infants Thou hast done praise” (Matt. 21:16, Ps. 8:3). Therefore, let Zion celebrate, and let Jerusalem rejoice; for they are one in the same, as Zion is the stronghold of Jerusalem. The King is coming, foretold by all the prophets—the Righteous One, the Savior, namely, Jesus, as the angel indicated to Mary: “And Jesus shall be called, for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). He is also humble, or as the Septuagint renders it, meek. Though He is wealthy, for our sake He became poor and invites us, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). He sits upon a donkey or a young donkey, symbolizing His authority over both the circumcised and uncircumcised.

The former carried the heavy burden of the Law, as stated in the Acts of the Apostles: “Neither we nor our fathers could bear the heavy burden of the Law” (Acts 15:10, 28). Thus, Paul admonishes the Galatians, who sought circumcision: “Stand fast, and do not hold back again the burden of slavery” (Galatians 5:2). The young donkey represents the multitude of Gentiles, who were untethered by the Law and regularly fell into the depths of idolatry, yet with the Lord guiding them like a rider, they learned to follow the path of righteousness. The promise states, “I will scatter the chariot from Ephraim.” At this point, it is understood from the perspective of God the Father that the rider or chariot is destined to vanish from Ephraim, and likewise the horse from Jerusalem. This signifies that there will be no more wars, as all will be reconciled through the coming and birth of Christ. Also, from a deeper perspective, Ephraim may refer to the multitude of heresies. This term is linked to fertility or abundance, as cited in Psalm 77: “The sons of Ephraim who strain the bow and shoot in the day of battle turned back” (Psalms 77:9). Of chariots or horsemen, we read, “These are in chariots, and these in horses: but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God; they are fallen, but we are risen and stand upright” (Psalm 19:8-9). The horse that is eliminated from Jerusalem corresponds to the idea that “The horse is unreliable for salvation” (Psalm 32:17). In the prophetic words of Jeremiah, those indulging in earthly pleasures are described: “They became like horses before Me, fiercely rushing at women, each one roaring at the wife of another” (Jeremiah 5:8). Accordingly, they are called to repentance through the Psalmist’s cry: “Do not be like a horse and an ox, which have no mind” (Psalm 31:9). When the Lord destroys the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, freeing them from the influences of their generation, they will begin to serve the Lord and be made like cherubim. Concerning them it will be said, “The chariots of God are many thousands, thousands rejoicing” (Ps. 67:18), and “I have likened thee, My neighbor, to My cavalry in the chariots of Pharaoh” (Song of Songs 1:8), and “Thou shalt mount the horses, and Thy ascent is salvation” (Hab. 3:8). The bow of warfare shall be scattered, so that no fiery arrows strike the hearts of those overcome by lust. Peace shall be declared to the nations, as it is written, “He shall be the expectation of the nations” (Gen. 49:10), and “The nations shall hope in him” (Is. 11:10), “His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the rivers to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Ps. 31:8). The meaning of this passage should not be diminished by allegorical interpretations; rather, we must affirm that all these things have been realized as we read, “Ask of Me, and I will give Thee nations for Thy inheritance, and into Thy dominion the ends of the earth” (Psalms 2:8). Similarly, the seventy-first psalm speaks of Solomon and the true reconciler: “And he shall rule from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 71:8).

Thus, true peace will ultimately prevail for all creation when the desires of the flesh and the doubts of a rebellious mind are silenced, allowing Christ to dwell within all and revealing the hearts of everyone to be in submission to the Father.

The prophetic word foretold, ‘He possesses the waters from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth.’ I am astonished at the folly of the Jews, who audaciously misapply this prophecy to Zerubbabel with complete boldness. They admit that Zerubbabel did not control even all of Palestine, but only Judea; yet the prophet foretold that He who rides on the colt would reign over the entire universe. Furthermore, we know that the Lord rode on a colt, but there is no record of Zerubbabel doing so, nor has anyone who has engaged in divine matters stated this until now. Therefore, if the Lord Christ, in accordance with prophecy, sat on a colt and triumphed over the universe, and if they affirm and proclaim that He is the true God, who dismantled the kingdom of Ephraim and Israel, then indeed this was foretold about Him by the prophet, and this prophecy has been undeniably realized. Additionally, there is that which follows:

Moreover, the transformation will not be limited to Israel but will encompass all nations, leading to the eradication of weapons and instruments of warfare, fostering peace among many lands. A universal tranquility will prevail, conducive to fruitful endeavors; chariots of war and armaments will be repurposed into instruments for agriculture and horticulture, while horses will remain as domesticated labor animals.

He will reign over the waters from sea to sea and from rivers to the farthest reaches of the earth. This imagery reflects the King’s universal sovereignty. Under His peace-emblazoned flag, vessels will navigate freely across the oceans. His reign will span the entire land, from the borders defined by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as promised to Israel, to the very ends of the earth, both north and south. The kingdom of this humble King reaches to all corners of the globe, as depicted in the psalm, possessing dominion from sea to sea and from rivers to the ends of the universe. This kingdom will be established not through conquests or military endeavors, but through the transformative power of the Gospel.