Zechariah14
English Standard Version
1 , a is for the Lord, when the taken from you will be in your .
2For I will the to , and the shall be and the and the . of the shall out into , but the of the shall be from the .
3Then the Lord will and as he on a of .
4On that his shall on the of that lies on the , and the of shall be in from to by a , so that one of the shall , and the other .
5And you shall to the of my , for the of the shall to . And you shall as you the in the of of . Then the Lord my will , and the holy with him.
6On that there shall be , , or .
7And there shall , which is to the Lord, , but at there shall be .
8On that shall flow from , of them and of them . It shall continue in as in .
9And the Lord will be over the . On that the Lord will be and his .
10The shall be into a from to of . But Jerusalem shall on its from the of to the of the , to the , and from the of to the .
11And it shall be , for there shall be a decree of . shall in .
12And this shall with the Lord will the that against : their will while they are still their , their will in their , and their will in their .
13And on a from the Lord shall on them, so that will the of , and the of the will be against the of the .
14 will at . And the of the shall be , , , and in .
15And a like shall fall on the , the , the , the , and may be .
16Then who of the that have shall to the , the Lord of , and to the of .
17And of the of the do to to the , the Lord of , there will be on them.
18And the of does and themselves, then there shall be rain; there shall with the Lord the do to the of .
19 shall be the to and the to the that do to the of .
20And that there shall be inscribed on the of the , to the Lord. And the in the of the Lord shall be the .
21And in and shall be to the Lord of , so that who may and of them and the meat of the sacrifice in them. And no be a in the of the Lord of on that .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sufferings of Jerusalem. (1–7). Encouraging prospects, and the destruction of her enemies. (8–15). The holiness of the latter days. (16–21).
vv1-7
The Lord Jesus often stood upon the Mount of Olives when on earth. He ascended from thence to heaven, and then desolations and distresses came upon the Jewish nation. Such is the view taken of this figuratively; but many consider it as a notice of events yet unfulfilled, and that it relates to troubles of which we cannot now form a full idea. Every believer, being related to God as his God, may triumph in the expectation of Christ's coming in power, and speak of it with pleasure. During a long season, the state of the church would be deformed by sin; there would be a mixture of truth and error, of happiness and misery. Such is the experience of God's people, a mingled state of grace and corruption. But, when the season is at the worst, and most unpromising, the Lord will turn darkness into light; deliverance comes when God's people have done looking for it.
vv8-15
Some consider that the progress of the gospel, beginning from Jerusalem, is referred to by the living waters flowing from that city. Neither shall the gospel and means of grace, nor the graces of the Spirit wrought in the hearts of believers by those means, ever fail, by reason either of the heat of persecution, or storms of temptation, or the blasts of any other affliction. Tremendous judgments appear to be foretold, to be sent upon those who should oppose the settlement of the Jews in their own land. How far they are to be understood literally, events alone can determine. The furious rage and malice which stir up men against each other, are faint shadows of the enmity which reigns among those who have perished in their sins. Even the inferior creatures often suffer for the sin of man, and in his plagues. Thus God will show his displeasure against sin.
vv16-21
As it is impossible for all nations literally to come to Jerusalem once a year, to keep a feast, it is evident that a figurative meaning must here be applied. Gospel worship is represented by the keeping of the feast of tabernacles. Every day of a Christian's life is a day of the feast of tabernacles; every Lord's day especially is the great day of the feast; therefore every day let us worship the Lord of hosts, and keep every Lord's day with peculiar solemnity. It is just for God to withhold the blessings of grace from those who do not attend the means of grace. It is a sin that is its own punishment; those who forsake the duty, forfeit the privilege of communion with God. A time of complete peace and purity of the church will arrive. Men will carry on their common affairs, and their sacred services, upon the same holy principles of faith, love and obedience. Real holiness shall be more diffused, because there shall be a more plentiful pouring forth of the Spirit of holiness than ever before. There shall be holiness even in common things. Every action and every enjoyment of the believer, should be so regulated according to the will of God, that it may be directed to his glory. Our whole lives should be as one constant sacrifice, or act of devotion; no selfish motive should prevail in any of our actions. But how far is the Christian church from this state of purity! Other times, however, are at hand, and the Lord will reform and enlarge his church, as he has promised. Yet in heaven alone will perfect holiness and happiness be found.
Key Words
הִנֵּה: lo!
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁלָל: booty
חָלַק: to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
קֶרֶב: properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
אָסַף: to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גּוֹי: a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֵל: near, with or among; often in general, to
Cross References
Zechariah 14The Mount of Olives as the scene of both Christ's physical ascension and promised return.
Supported by JFB
Ezekiel's vision of the glory of the Lord departing from the city over the Mount of Olives.
Supported by JFB
Explicit historical marker of the great earthquake during the reign of King Uzziah.
Supported by JFB
Parallel prophecy of God gathering all nations to battle in the valley of decision.
Supported by Poole, JFB
God fighting for Israel against Egypt at the Red Sea, a pattern of His divine intervention.
Supported by Calvin, JFB
Vision of living, healing waters flowing eastward from the temple in Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic parallel of a fountain flowing from the house of the Lord to water dry places.
Supported by JFB
The priestly inscription 'Holiness to the Lord' on the mitre, now extended to common horse bells.
The river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne.
Parallel topographical restoration landmarks of Jerusalem, including the tower of Hananeel.
There shall be 'no more curse' corresponding directly to 'no more utter destruction.'
God causes every man's sword to be against his brother among the invading hosts.
Historical precedent of God defeating enemies by setting every man's sword against his fellow.
The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God's dwelling with man, celebrated by nations.
Supported by Henry
Contrasts Egypt's reliance on irrigation by foot with Israel's reliance on rain from heaven.
No defiled person or abomination can enter, corresponding to 'no more the Canaanite.'
Parable of the king sending armies to destroy those murderers and burn up their city.
Supported by Poole
The city having no need of sun or moon because God's glory provides light.
The God of heaven setting up a kingdom that will consume all other kingdoms.
Upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness.