Zechariah 9:11

Zechariah 9:11

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

a. NLT: Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.

b. NIV: As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.

c. YLT: Also thou -- by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent thy prisoners out of the pit, There is no water in it.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: As for you also, because of and for the sake of the [covenant of the Lord with His people, which was sealed with sprinkled] covenant blood, I have released and sent forth your imprisoned people out of the waterless pit.

e. Septuagint: And thou by the blood of thy covenant has sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit that has no water.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Also you, through the blood of your covenant I will have released your prisoners from the pit in which there is no water.

1. “As for thee also…”

a. No Hebrew words

2. “…by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit…”

a. by the blood [1818 * dam] [Strong: from 1826 (Compare 119); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), + innocent.]

b. of thy covenant [1285 * briyth] [Strong: from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh):--confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league.]

1). Zechariah, A Commentary On His Visions And Prophecies, David Baron: The antitypical ratification of the covenant, therefore (whatever the primary reference of theses words in Zechariah), took place when Israel’s messiah Jesus, appeared as the “minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. “This is My blood of the new covenant,” He said, when about to lay down His life a ransome for many; and since the great sacrifice on the cross, all the promises odf God, “how many soever,” or whatever they may be, whether made to Israel nationally, or intended for all men generally—ratified as they now are in His own prescious blood, have become, so to say, doubly sure and certain, for “in Him is the Yea, and in Him the Amen, to the glory of God by us.”

c. I have sent forth [7971 * shalach] [Strong: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).]

d. thy prisoners [615 * 'aciyr] [Strong: from 631; bound, i.e. a captive:--(those which are) bound, prisoner.]

e. out of the pit [953 *  bowr] [Strong: from 952 (in the sense of 877); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison):--cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well.]

1). I am reminded of that at the ascension of Christ into heaven he also took all those who were in Abraham’s bosom waiting for the sacrifice of Christ.

a). Ephesians 4:8-10  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

2). Before the sacrifice of Christ, everyone who died went into the lower parts of the earth. The righteous, those who faithfully served the Lord went into a place called Abraham’s bosom. The unrighteous, were taken into hell. During those millennia prior to Christ’s death hell was divided into two compartments, one for the righteous dead and one for the unrighteous dead, see Luke 16:19-31. When Christ ascended into heaven to took with him all the righteous dead with him, because of the blood of the covenant. Hallelujah!

3. “…wherein is no water.”

a. wherein is no water [4325 * mayim] [Strong: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+ piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).]

1). I can’t help but reflect on the treatment Joseph received from his brothers.

a). Genesis 37:20-24 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

37:21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

37:22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.