👉 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 2:7. It's a really important and somewhat cryptic passage in the Bible, and it speaks about the future of Jerusalem. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that Jerusalem needs to be rebuilt and restored. It’s saying that the city of Jerusalem (which was destroyed in ancient times) needs to be brought back to its former glory. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Deliver thyself…” : This means you – the people of Jerusalem – need to take action to protect and restore the city. It’s a call for responsibility. “…O Zion…” : "Zion" is a Hebrew word that refers to Jerusalem, but it also has a deeper meaning relating to God's chosen people – the Jewish people. So, “Zion” here signifies the Jewish community and the land of Israel. “…that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.” : This is where it gets a little more complex. "The daughter of Babylon" refers to the Persian Empire, which ruled much of this region at that time. It’s a symbolic reference to a powerful, often unstable, neighboring power – representing a threat to stability and prosperity. What does it mean in simpler terms? Essentially, it's saying that Jerusalem needs protection and restoration from a force that threatens its future. It’s about the need for a strong, unified Jewish community to defend itself against external forces. Important Context: This verse appears in a larger passage in Zechariah (a prophetic book) that describes a period of great crisis and judgment. It's often interpreted as a foreshadowing of future events related to the rise of the Roman Empire and its potential to destroy Israel. It’s a message of hope, though – it speaks of God’s ultimate protection of His people. In short: The verse warns that Jerusalem needs to be saved from a threat (represented by Babylon) so it can flourish once more. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you some historical context about the time this passage was written? Or, perhaps answer a specific question you have about this verse?

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Definition

: Zechariah 2:7 is a verse of the Old Testament that has been used in various contexts throughout history, often interpreted as the prophecy about the future events that would come to be known as the "Zechariah 2:7 Signs." The phrase is most famously associated with its use in an allegorical story by Josephus.

Example : "As Joseph's brother and friend, Zechariah prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ, saying, 'This is my sign, O Zechariah, that you will have a son who will be great among people, and then he will rule over Judah.' He said to me, 'You will not do this; for I am with your brother Joseph, a man whom God has called, and you are his father. So please let me die, so that your promise may come true.'" (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 34:15) Edgy/Unsettling Example : Consider the scenario where a young woman dreams about an angel who comes to her with a message: "Zechariah 2:7" and tells her that she will have a child born from him. The next day, she is given this dream by her father's spirit, who has appeared in a vision. Shocked and terrified, the woman takes this as a sign of imminent doom. Explanation : This metaphorical scenario challenges the idea that dreams are mere