Zechariah 9:7, commentary and pictures

Zechariah 9:7 stands in chapters 9-14, the later part of the book, which has a different historical setting and style from the earlier chapters. It has been suggested that chapters 9-14 were originally writings of Jeremiah that were placed among Zechariah's writings when manuscripts were gathered, which would explain the attribution to Jeremiah of a related prophecy quoted in Matthew. In its original setting the verse belongs to Zechariah's encouragement of Zerubbabel and Ezra in building the temple and restoring Jerusalem, and that restoration reformation movement is a type of the last reformation.

The section looks beyond the return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple to the Messianic King and kingdom and the final restoration at Christ's coming, with a much wider sweep than the first part of the book. It belongs to prophecy of Christ's kingdom and the great day of the Lord, foretelling the final restoration of God's people and judgment and punishment on the wicked and on those who reject Him.

More specifically, Zechariah 9:1-8 concerns the coming conquests of Greece under Alexander the Great against cities near Jerusalem, with Ekron among the cities destined for punishment, while Jerusalem would be remarkably delivered and spared when Alexander intended to destroy it. After their defeat, the Philistines would have their blood and abominations taken away in the sense of renouncing idolatry and joining the worshipers of the true God, and the remnant would be for God as a governor in Judah, with Ekron honored among God's people and united with Israel as fully as the Jebusites were.

God's removal of the abomination from between the teeth applies as a call to break free from tobacco chewing as an abomination, in part because tobacco spit defiles church pews and makes kneeling in prayer impossible in some seats.