Again the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.” Zechariah 8:2 NKJV.
Zealous, qanah, Strong’s #7065-To be zealous, filled with zeal, full of emotion; to be passionate; also to be jealous or envious; to be highly possessive of something. Qanah is often in context of the Lord’s becoming provoked to jealousy by flirtations of His people with false gods.
Using the sanctity of marriage, God is often depicted in the OT as the Husband of Israel. He is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5). Since He is not really capable of being envious like humans, perhaps “jealous” should be translated “zealous” in our text as well as Ezk. 39:25;Joel 2:18; Zec. 1:14.
Idolatry is spiritual adultery and therefore merits death(Num.25:11). God does not tolerate competitors or those who sin against Him. He will punish His people for their unfaithfulness (Ezk. 5:113; 8:3,5: 16:38). Sometimes His warnings and arduous love effects repentance (Isa.42:13).
In our text, God is either zealous with burning zeal for Zion, or jealous with burning jealousy, or perhaps, fanatic over His Jerusalem. Every nation has its plans for Jerusalem; especially America. God, too, has His plans (vs. 3-15), which must overrule all human schemes.
