Prisoners of Hope: Zechariah’s Prophecy of October 7

When seeking signs of current events in Tanach, it’s important to do so with care and humility. In particular, commentators have struggled to understand the many cryptic visions of the Book of Zechariah. “The prophecy of Zechariah is extremely enigmatic, because it contains visions resembling a dream that requires an interpretation. We cannot ascertain the truth of its interpretation until the teacher of righteousness comes” (Rashi, Zechariah 1:1).

Nevertheless, Tanach is not a book of history, but an eternal book that speaks to every generation. Despite the dangers, we must seek to understand our tumultuous times through the lens of the Torah. Zechariah’s prophecies were meant for our generation, and specifically for this painful time. The prophecies that baffled our forefathers are today’s front-page news. A close study of the 9th chapter of Zechariah strongly suggests that this war was prophesied by Zechariah. His words are chilling – but also contain a profound message of hope.

Chapter 9 of Zechariah begins with a murky reference to the land of “Chadrach” (Zechariah 9:1). But where is this mysterious land? The sages explain that “Chadrach” is not a country, but rather hints to the time period addressed in this chapter – the era of redemption. “Chadrach” can be broken into two separate words: “Chad, sharp,” and “rach, soft.” “This refers to the Mashiach, who is sharp against the nations and soft to Israel” (Rashi, Zechariah 9:1). When the Mashiach arrives, he will inaugurate an era that will be very “sharp” and painful for Israel’s enemies, but “soft” and joyous for Israel. This is the era of turmoil and redemption that will unfold in the generations preceding the Mashiach’s arrival – the era we are living through today.

Zechariah then speaks of an enemy in the north: “And Tyre built a fortification for herself, and she gathered silver like dust and gold, like the mire of the streets. Behold, G-d shall impoverish her, and He shall smite her wealth in the sea, and she shall be consumed by fire” (Zechariah 9:3–4). Ancient Tyre was located on the southern coast of Lebanon, 83 kilometers south of Beirut – precisely where the terror group Hezbollah is currently fortified. Receiving billions of dollars in funding from Iran, Hezbollah has “gathered silver like dust and gold like the mire of the streets,” money it used to stockpile 150,000 deadly rockets it is currently using against Israel. But despite their great power, Hezbollah is destined to be destroyed.

“Ashkelon shall see and fear, and Gaza – and she shall quake violently… And a king was lost from Gaza… and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines” (Zechariah 9:5–6). The “Palestinians” of today do not descend from, and bear no relation to, the ancient Philistines who dwelled along Israel’s coast in Biblical times. Nevertheless, it is no accident that today’s Gazan Arabs have taken on the name “Palestinian,” for they share something in common with the Philistines of old. Beginning with the era of Shimshon, the Philistines were consistently the most dangerous foe of the people of Israel, causing us great suffering and denying our sovereignty in our own land. When Zechariah tells us that G-d will “cut off the pride of the Philistines,” he can only be referring to the “Palestinians” of our time, the spiritual descendants of the ancient Philistines, for the ancient Philistines no longer exist. 

“With the blood of your covenant I have freed your prisoners from a pit in which there was no water” (Zechariah 9:11). When I read this verse after October 7, my heart stopped. As I write, Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages in pit-like tunnels. “I have freed your prisoners from a pit…” Please, G-d, may these words come true today; bring our hostages home!

G-d has promised that we will defeat our enemies, both in the north and south. But how will we, a small and diplomatically isolated nation surrounded by enemies, succeed against all odds? The answer is found in this chapter’s most powerful verse: “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope” (Zechariah 9:12). 

We are not a normal nation. Other nations facing enemies like ours would have disappeared long ago. But we are the nation of renewal, a people who rise up from every defeat stronger than we were before. We are a people constitutionally unable to throw in the towel. From our birth as a nation amidst the hell of Egypt, we were destined to forever be “prisoners of hope” – for we always find a path to salvation.

“Be exceedingly happy, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold! Your king shall come to you… and the bow of war shall be cut off. And he shall speak peace to the nations, and his rule shall be from the sea to the west and from the river to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9:9–10). Take strength; better days are coming.

Rabbi Elie Mischel is the Editor of HaMizrachi and the author of The War Against the Bible: Ishmael, Esau and Israel at the End Times (2024), available at waragainstthebible.com.