What Does Zechariah 9:2 Mean in the King James?

And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
Zechariah 9:2 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

The verse places Tyre’s celebrated wisdom inside the very boundary that contains it.

The verse holds a defined border and a city described as very wise together. Tyre’s discernment remains real, but it does not make the city unbounded or place it beyond the announced word.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that enough wisdom makes a person or society untouchable dissolves here: Tyre is very wise and still lies within the boundary.

חכמה

ḥăkāmāh

GROWS FROM

חכם

Wisdom, discernment, or skillful ability.

The form translated “wise” shares its consonantal root with the Hebrew word for “wisdom,” joining the city’s discernment to wisdom itself. This root can also describe practiced skill: Tyre’s capacity is real, yet it remains within the boundary named here.

ALSO GROWS

ḥākām: A wise or skillful person.

חָכָם

It shows wisdom as a quality embodied in a person, not only an abstract idea.

ḥokhmāh: Wisdom or skill.

חָכְמָה

It shares the root of the verse’s word for “wise,” keeping the city’s character and its wisdom joined.

ḥākam: To be or become wise; to act with skill.

חָכַם

It lets wisdom name a practiced capacity as well as a reputation.

Human wisdom can be real and formidable, yet it cannot place its bearer outside the LORD’s reach.

Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
Ezekiel 28:3 · KJVThe oracle names Tyre’s wisdom directly, showing that the city’s discernment remains within the reach of divine scrutiny.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30 · KJVHuman wisdom has real force, but it cannot override the LORD’s authority.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Corinthians 1:19 · KJVThe verse places even celebrated human wisdom within limits it cannot control.
Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
Ezekiel 28:3 · KJV

Both verses name Tyre and use words from the Hebrew root ⁨חכם⁩, wisdom and skillful discernment. Zechariah calls the city wise; Ezekiel shows that this same capacity remains visible to the LORD.

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Zechariah 9:2 KJV Meaning