זכריה, פרק י״ד, פסוק י״א

The promised future of Jerusalem is defined by absolute stability, eternal peace, and the Divine presence, standing in sharp contrast to the city's stormy past. The assurance that the people will settle there is understood by most commentators as a permanent, eternal return. This reality directly opposes the days of exile when the city lay empty and uninhabited [מלבי״ם]. Beyond a mere physical return, the people will live securely alongside the Divine presence. This era marks the arrival of the Messiah, the son of David [אבן עזרא], and brings about a state of profound peace [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Regarding the promise that there will be an end to devastation, the primary approach among commentators understands this as a guarantee against future ruin, killing, and being cut off entirely. Unlike the era of the First Temple, where the period of settlement ultimately ended in destruction [מלבי״ם], the assurance here is that Jerusalem will never fall again and will remain standing forever [רד״ק, רש״י]. In contrast, a different perspective interprets this specific promise through a legal lens, relating it to the practice of dedicating personal property for the maintenance of the Temple. According to this view, in the future, there will no longer be any need for such donations to repair or strengthen the building. Instead, God Himself will construct the Temple as an eternal structure that will never require renovation [אהבת יהונתן].

Ultimately, the city will experience a state of absolute and unwavering security. This lasting safety stands in stark contrast to earlier periods in history, which were endlessly plagued by war and conflict [מלבי״ם].