The Day of the Lord: Victory, Restoration, and Universal Worship
Zechariah 14:1-21
Zec.14.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחלק: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שללך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,ms
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
Parallels
- Joel 3:14 (verbal): Both verses use the conspicuous phrase announcing 'the day of the LORD' (near/coming), signaling imminent divine action and judgment.
- Zephaniah 1:7 (verbal): Like Zech 14:1, Zephaniah declares that the day of the LORD is at hand and calls attention to impending divine judgment on the community.
- Amos 5:18 (thematic): Warns that the 'day of the LORD' will be a day of judgment and disaster rather than deliverance for Israel—paralleling Zech 14's portrayal of catastrophe in the midst of the people.
- Isaiah 2:12 (thematic): Speaks of the day of the LORD coming upon the proud and lofty, emphasizing universal upheaval and judgment similar to Zech 14:1's announcement.
- Joel 3:2 (allusion): Joins Zech 14's broader context of nations being gathered and spoil/division occurring in Israel’s midst—both depict collective judgment and plunder among the nations around Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, a day of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst.
- Behold, a day of the LORD is coming—your spoil shall be divided within you.
Zec.14.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואספתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונלכדה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ונשסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הבתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנשים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- תשכבנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בגולה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכרת: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joel 3:2 (verbal): Both speak of God gathering all the nations for judgment against Jerusalem/their valley; similar language of assembling the nations for a decisive confrontation.
- Zechariah 12:2-3 (thematic): Within the same prophetic framework: Jerusalem as the focal point of hostile nations and siege imagery—nations surrounding and being judged for attacking the city.
- Zechariah 13:8-9 (structural): Parallel pattern of partial catastrophe and preservation (a portion killed or exiled, a remnant left), echoing the division of the population after violence against the city.
- Ezekiel 5:12 (thematic): Ezekiel likewise portrays punitive siege-judgment with the population apportioned (killed, scattered, or exiled), resonating with Zech.14:2’s image of capture, exile, and survival of a remnant.
- Joel 3:3 (Heb. 4:3) (thematic): Graphic depiction of atrocities—selling, sexual violation and plunder—occurs in Joel’s oracle against the nations, comparable to Zech.14:2’s mention of houses plundered and women violated during the assault.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle; the city shall be taken, the houses plundered, and the women violated; half the city shall go into exile, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
- For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle; the city shall be taken, the houses plundered, the women violated. Half the city shall go into exile, but the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Zec.14.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ונלחם: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- כיום: ADV
- הלחמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- קרב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 14:14 (verbal): Both depict YHWH personally fighting on behalf of his people in a decisive battle ("The LORD will fight for you...").
- Exodus 15:3 (verbal): Declares the LORD as a warrior ("The LORD is a man of war"), echoing the image of God going out to battle against the nations.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): A covenantal promise that God goes with Israel to fight their battles — similar assurance that YHWH will confront Israel's enemies.
- Isaiah 63:1-4 (allusion): Eschatological/juxtaposed imagery of the divine warrior who executes judgment and vengeance on the nations, resonating with Zech.14's day of battle theme.
- Joel 3:16 (thematic): Portrays the LORD acting directly and terrifyingly from Zion against the nations in the last days, paralleling Zech.14's picture of God fighting the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fights on a day of battle.
- Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights on a day of battle.
Zec.14.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועמדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- רגליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3,m
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- על: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הזתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מקדם: PREP
- ונבקע: VERB,niphal,impf,3,ms,sg
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הזיתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מחציו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- מזרחה: ADV,dir
- וימה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ומש: CONJ
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- צפונה: ADV
- וחציו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- נגבה: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 1:11 (allusion): The angels announce that Jesus will return 'in like manner'—Christian tradition links that coming with the Mount of Olives setting of Zech.14:4 (the place from which he ascended and to which he will return).
- Acts 1:12 (verbal): The disciples 'returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet'—direct geographic identification with Zechariah's 'Mount of Olives.'
- Joel 3:16 (Hebrew 3:16) (verbal): 'The LORD shall roar out of Zion...the heavens and the earth shall shake'—language of divine presence and seismic upheaval associated with the day of the LORD, paralleling Zech.14's earth‑splitting imagery.
- Ezekiel 43:1-2 (thematic): Ezekiel depicts the glory of the LORD returning from the east toward the temple—comparable motif of the divine presence coming toward Jerusalem from the east (cf. Zech.14:4–5).
- Revelation 16:18 (thematic): A cataclysmic earthquake accompanies God's decisive intervention ('a great earthquake...'); parallels Zech.14's cleaving of the Mount of Olives and related eschatological seismic imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that is before Jerusalem eastward; and the mountain shall be split in its midst from east to west, making a very great valley. Half the mountain shall move northward, and half southward.
- On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem eastward; and the Mount of Olives shall be cleft in two from east to west, making a very wide valley. Half the mountain shall move toward the north, and half toward the south.
Zec.14.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונסתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- גיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרי: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- יגיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרים: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אל: NEG
- אצל: PREP
- ונסתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- נסתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- מפני: PREP
- הרעש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עזיה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כל: DET
- קדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
Parallels
- Psalm 114:4-6 (verbal): Describes mountains and hills leaping or trembling at the presence of the LORD—echoes the motif of geological upheaval when God comes, similar to Zech.14:5's moving valleys and mountains.
- Isaiah 2:19 (thematic): Speaks of people fleeing into caves and holes 'from the terror of the LORD and the glory of his majesty,' paralleling Zech.14:5's image of people fleeing because of the divine, earthquake-like visitation.
- Zechariah 14:4 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same chapter: the LORD's coming to stand on the Mount of Olives and the cleaving of the mountain provides the proximate cause and setting for the seismic imagery in 14:5.
- Revelation 16:18 (thematic): Describes a cataclysmic earthquake at God's final intervention ('a great earthquake such as there had never been'), paralleling Zech.14:5's apocalyptic earthquake imagery associated with the LORD's coming.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall flee into the valley of the mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal; you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, the God of all the holy ones, will come with you.
- You shall flee through the valley of the mountains, for the valley shall reach to Azal; you shall flee as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Zec.14.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקרות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- וקפאון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joel 2:31 (thematic): Both portray cosmic/darkness signs associated with the coming ‘day of the LORD’; Zechariah’s ‘no light’ echoes Joel’s darkness before the LORD’s day.
- Isaiah 13:10 (verbal): Isaiah speaks of heavenly bodies not giving their light—language and imagery closely parallel Zechariah’s negation of light in an eschatological context.
- Isaiah 34:4 (verbal): Isaiah describes the heavens and stars losing their light and falling—an apocalyptic motif that matches Zechariah’s depiction of absent light.
- Exodus 10:21-23 (allusion): The plague of supernatural darkness over Egypt is an OT precedent for divinely imposed absence of light, a motif that Zechariah echoes in a judgmental/eschatological setting.
- Revelation 6:12 (thematic): The NT apocalyptic vision of the sun darkening and cosmic disturbance parallels Zechariah’s ‘no light’ as a sign of end-time judgment and upheaval.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be on that day: there shall be neither bright light nor deep darkness.
- And on that day there shall be no ordinary light—no bright radiance and no chilling frost.
Zec.14.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יודע: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ערב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 60:19-20 (thematic): Eschatological reversal of ordinary celestial light: the LORD replaces sun and moon as the everlasting light for his people, echoing Zech.14's motif of a unique, divine 'day.'
- Isaiah 30:26 (verbal): Speaks of unusual, intensified light 'in that day' (חרח), paralleling Zech.14's temporal formula and the theme that the coming day will alter normal day/night light conditions.
- Malachi 4:2 (allusion): The coming 'Sun of Righteousness' that rises with healing is a messianic/eschatological image of divine light, thematically resonant with Zech.14's proclamation of a singular day known to the LORD when light prevails.
- Revelation 21:23 (thematic): John's vision of the New Jerusalem needing no sun or moon because God's glory illumines it parallels Zech.14's portrayal of a divine, non-cyclical light in the eschatological day.
- Revelation 22:5 (verbal): The statement 'there shall be no night there' echoes Zech.14's formula 'not day nor night' and reinforces the eschatological motif of the abolition of ordinary day/night distinctions under God's presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- It shall be one day—known to the LORD—neither day nor night; but at evening time there shall be light.
- It shall be a single day known to the LORD—neither day nor night; but toward evening there shall be light.
Zec.14.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חיים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- הקדמוני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- וחצים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- האחרון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בקיץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובחרף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 47:1-12 (verbal): A river issues from the temple, growing as it flows and bringing life, fruit, and healing—closely parallels the image of living waters flowing from Jerusalem.
- Joel 3:18 (structural): Speaks of rivers/streams coming out of Zion/the house of the LORD and irrigating the land—similar prophetic promise of waters issuing from Jerusalem.
- Psalm 46:4 (thematic): “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God” — uses the motif of life-giving water associated with Zion/the city of God.
- Revelation 22:1-2 (allusion): Depicts the river of the water of life flowing from God’s throne (and the Lamb) bringing healing to the nations, drawing on the OT motif of living waters from Zion.
- Isaiah 12:3 (thematic): “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” — shares the theme of salvation and life pictured as water drawn from God’s presence/ Zion.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day living waters shall go out from Jerusalem: half of them toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea; in summer and in winter it shall be.
- On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea; in summer and in winter it shall flow.
Zec.14.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- ושמו: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 2:2-4 (thematic): Envisions the LORD's rule extending over all nations and a future day when nations submit to Yahweh's reign and law, paralleling Zechariah's picture of divine universal kingship.
- Isaiah 11:9 (thematic): Speaks of a time when the earth is full of the knowledge of the LORD and harm is abolished—another prophet's depiction of the universal and peaceful reign of God akin to Zech. 14:9.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 (verbal): The Shema declares 'The LORD is one,' which echoes Zechariah's language emphasizing the oneness of the LORD and his name in the eschatological day.
- Psalm 47:7 (verbal): Proclaims 'For God is the King of all the earth,' a direct affirmation of God's kingship over the whole earth similar to Zechariah's statement.
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 (thematic): Paul's formula 'one God... and one Lord, Jesus Christ' reinterprets the idea of divine oneness and singular lordship in a Christian context, resonant with Zechariah's 'one LORD and his name one.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; on that day the LORD shall be one and his name one.
- The LORD will be king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one, and his name one.
Zec.14.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יסוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כערבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מגבע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרמון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וראמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תחתיה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- למשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- עד: PREP
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הראשון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ומגדל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חננאל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,cons
- עד: PREP
- יקבי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 48:30-35 (structural): Ezekiel's description of the allotment and gates of the restored holy city uses similar boundary language and named gates/corners, paralleling Zech. 14:10's delineation of Jerusalem's extent in the eschatological restoration.
- Revelation 21:12-16 (structural): The New Jerusalem is described with gates, corners, and precise boundaries; this apocalyptic city's layout echoes Zech. 14:10's focus on gates, towers and limits of the holy city.
- Isaiah 60:13-14 (thematic): Isaiah speaks of Jerusalem's restoration, enlargement and honor (villages rebuilt, foreign kings serving her), paralleling Zech. 14:10's theme of the city's enlargement and renewed habitation.
- Psalm 48:12-14 (thematic): Psalm 48 celebrates the security, marked boundaries and enduring fame of Zion; its interest in surveying Zion's bulwarks and noting its permanence parallels Zech. 14:10's attention to Jerusalem's borders and habitation.
- Zechariah 14:8-11 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding and following verses describe living waters, the Lord's presence, and the city's habitation—these verses form the same eschatological picture and directly connect with the boundary description in v.10.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be lifted up and dwell in her place from Benjamin's Gate to the place of the first gate, even to the corner gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses.
- All the land shall be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be lifted up and shall dwell in its place—from the gate of Benjamin to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses.
Zec.14.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- וחרם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- וישבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבטח: ADV
Parallels
- Ezek. 37:26-28 (thematic): Promises a covenant of peace, permanent dwelling of God with his people in Jerusalem and its secure, undefiled status—parallels Zechariah’s depiction of continued habitation and safety.
- Joel 3:17 (Hebrew Joel 4:17) (verbal): Declares the LORD dwelling in Zion and Jerusalem being holy with outsiders no longer passing through—closely echoes Zechariah’s language about Jerusalem’s secure habitation and an end to devastation.
- Isa. 32:18 (verbal): “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings” uses near-identical imagery of peaceful, secure residence as Zechariah 14:11.
- Isa. 60:18 (thematic): Foresees no more violence or devastation in the land and renaming of gates/walls for salvation—thematically parallels the end of desolation and establishment of security in Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall dwell there; no more shall there be a curse; Jerusalem shall dwell in safety.
- And they shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more curse; Jerusalem shall dwell in safety.
Zec.14.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- המגפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יגף: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צבאו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3m
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המק: VERB,qal,imf,3,mp
- בשרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- רגליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3,m
- ועיניו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- תמקנה: VERB,qal,imf,3,f,pl
- בחריהן: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3fp
- ולשונו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- תמק: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- בפיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:65 (verbal): Part of the covenant curses; explicitly mentions 'failing of eyes' and other afflictions from the LORD—close verbal and thematic resonance with eyes and bodily decay in Zech 14:12.
- Leviticus 26:16 (thematic): God's covenant curses include 'terror, consumption, and the burning ague'—a background legal-theological pattern of divine pestilence and wasting that Zech 14:12 echoes.
- 1 Samuel 5:6–12 (thematic): When the Ark brought divine judgment on the Philistines they suffered physical plagues (tumors/emerods and death), reflecting the OT motif of direct corporeal affliction as divine punishment like Zech 14:12's consuming plague.
- Revelation 16:2 (allusion): One of the bowl-plagues inflicts painful sores on those who bear the beast's mark; apocalyptic plague imagery in Revelation parallels Zech 14:12's graphic physical afflictions on an invading people.
- Revelation 16:10–11 (verbal): In the bowls sequence the kingdom of the beast is plunged into darkness and sufferers 'gnawed their tongues' in pain—an NT echo of bodily torment and tongue/eye suffering reminiscent of Zech 14:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall rot while they stand on their feet; their eyes shall rot in their sockets, and their tongues shall rot in their mouths.
- This shall be the plague by which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall rot in their sockets, and their tongues shall rot in their mouths.
Zec.14.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- מהומת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- והחזיקו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ועלתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- Judges 7:22 (verbal): God induces panic among the enemy so that 'every man's sword was against his fellow,' closely mirroring Zech.14:13's 'hand... against his neighbor'—divine confusion leading to mutual slaughter.
- Ezekiel 38:21 (verbal): God announces calamity in which 'every man's sword shall be against his brother,' a near-verbal parallel to Zech.14:13's image of hands raised against neighbors.
- 1 Samuel 14:23 (thematic): 'The LORD discomfited them... there was a very great panic'—the motif of the LORD causing a panic among foes that scatters and turns them upon one another echoes Zech.14:13.
- Exodus 23:27 (thematic): God promises to 'send my terror before thee' to throw nations into confusion; this theme of divine-instigated terror/confusion parallels the 'panic of the LORD' in Zech.14:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be on that day a great panic from the LORD among them. Each shall seize the hand of his neighbor, and the hand of one shall be lifted against the hand of another.
- And on that day there shall be a great panic from the LORD among them; each will seize the hand of his neighbor, and their hands will be lifted against the hands of one another.
Zec.14.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- תלחם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואסף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- סביב: ADV
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובגדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Zech.12:2-3 (thematic): Same Zecharian theme of nations gathering against Jerusalem and Judah’s central role in the conflict; both passages portray international involvement focused on Jerusalem.
- Isa.60:5-6 (verbal): Isaiah’s promise that nations will bring gold, silver and garments to Zion closely parallels the language and motif of wealth from the nations being gathered to Jerusalem.
- Ps.68:29 (verbal): The psalm states that kings will bring presents to Jerusalem/the temple, echoing the idea of foreign powers bringing gifts and wealth to the city.
- Rev.21:24,26 (allusion): In Revelation the nations bring the glory and honor of the nations into the New Jerusalem, a later-apocalyptic fulfillment/recapitulation of the motif of Gentile wealth and tribute coming to Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered—gold, silver, and garments in great abundance.
- Even Judah will fight at Jerusalem. Then the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered—gold, silver, and very many garments.
Zec.14.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכן: ADV
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- מגפת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- הסוס: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הפרד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגמל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחמור: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הבהמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במחנות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההמה: DEM,m,pl
- כמגפה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Zechariah 14:12 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verse describes the same divine plague on the attacking armies’ people; v.15 extends that devastation to their animals as a direct continuation.
- Exodus 9:3–6 (verbal): God‑sent plague on the livestock in Egypt — explicit mention of horses, asses, camels and cattle suffering a divine pestilence parallels the motif of animals struck by judgment.
- Ezekiel 14:21 (thematic): God declares He will send 'evil beasts' among the people to cut off men and animals — a similar theme of divine action bringing death to both humans and beasts as judgment.
- Hosea 4:3 (thematic): Declares the land will mourn and 'the beasts of the field shall be consumed' as part of judgment on the nation, echoing the idea that national calamity affects animals as well as people.
- Joel 1:20 (thematic): Describes beasts of the field suffering because waters are dried up and pastures burned — another prophetic depiction of disaster that reaches the animals alongside human suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- So shall be the plague of the horses, the mules, the camels, the donkeys, and of all the beasts that shall be in those camps.
- So shall be the plague of the horses, the mules, the camels, and the donkeys, and of all the beasts that are in those camps.
Zec.14.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הנותר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מכל: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מדי: PREP
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להשתחות: INF,hitpael
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולחג: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Zechariah 8:20-23 (verbal): Same prophet and closely related promise: peoples and inhabitants of many cities will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD and entreat Him, echoing nations coming to worship the King, LORD of hosts.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (thematic): Universal pilgrimage motif — nations streaming to the mountain of the LORD to learn his ways and walk in his paths, paralleling foreign nations coming to worship at Jerusalem.
- Micah 4:1-2 (verbal): Parallel wording to Isaiah 2:2-3: many nations will come to the mountain of the house of the LORD to seek instruction — a near-verbal parallel to Zech.14's depiction of nations coming yearly.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (allusion): Legal background for the Feast of Tabernacles: Israelites are commanded to rejoice and appear before the LORD at Sukkot — Zech.14 alludes to this festival being observed universally by nations.
- Isaiah 66:23 (thematic): Future universal worship imagery — 'from new moon to new moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath all flesh shall come to worship before me' — resonates with Zech.14's portrayal of yearly pilgrimage by all nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then shall everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem go up year by year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.
- And everyone who survives of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.
Zec.14.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאת: PREP
- משפחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להשתחות: INF,hitpael
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הגשם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 11:13-17 (thematic): Promises of rain tied to Israel's obedience and coming under the LORD's rule; disobedience brings withheld rain—parallels Zech.14:17's conditional withholding of rain for failure to worship.
- Deuteronomy 28:23-24 (structural): Part of the covenant curses where the LORD makes the heavens like iron and the earth like brass, causing drought; parallels the motif of divine withholding of rain as punishment for disobedience.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (thematic): Vision of all nations streaming to the mountain of the LORD to learn and worship; parallels Zech.14's universal expectation that the families of the earth come to Jerusalem to worship the King, Lord of hosts.
- Micah 4:1-2 (thematic): Close parallel to Isaiah 2:2-3—nations gather to Zion to seek the LORD's instruction and judgment—echoes Zechariah's depiction of worldwide pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
- Amos 4:7-8 (verbal): God recounts withholding rain from Israel as disciplinary action (and then restoring it); resonates with Zech.14:17's punitive withholding of rain from those who refuse to worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be that whoever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there shall be no rain upon them.
- And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them.
Zec.14.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעלה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- המגפה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יגף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לחג: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (verbal): Commands the Israelites to 'appear' before the LORD three times a year (pilgrimage to the festivals)—parallels Zechariah's demand that nations 'go up' to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (thematic): Foresees many nations streaming to Zion to learn God's ways and worship—echoes Zech.14's image of all nations coming to Jerusalem to keep the feast.
- Zechariah 8:20-23 (structural): In the same prophetic corpus promises that many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD in Jerusalem—closely parallels Zech.14’s eschatological pilgrimage and submission of nations.
- Leviticus 23:39-43 (allusion): Prescribes the Feast of Booths (Sukkot/Tabernacles) and its ritual observance—provides the festival background for Zechariah’s requirement that nations celebrate the Feast in Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- If the family of Egypt does not go up and come in, there shall be no rain upon them; there shall be the plague with which the LORD will smite the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.
- If the family of Egypt does not go up or come and is not present, there shall be on them the plague that the LORD will send on the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.
Zec.14.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- חטאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וחטאת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לחג: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (structural): Law requiring all Israelite males to appear at the appointed feasts three times a year — parallels Zech.14's demand that nations 'go up' to keep the festival (pilgrimage/annual worship obligation).
- Isaiah 2:2-3 (thematic): Vision of many nations streaming to the mountain of the LORD to learn his ways and worship — echoes Zechariah's motif of nations coming to Jerusalem to keep the feast and acknowledge YHWH.
- Isaiah 66:23 (allusion): Declaration that 'from new moon to new moon' all flesh will come to worship before the LORD — closely parallels Zech.'s universal, regular festival-worship imagery (including the Feast of Booths).
- Deuteronomy 28:23-24 (thematic): Curses for disobedience including the heavens becoming like bronze and withholding of rain — parallels Zech.14:17–19 where nations that do not go up to keep the feast suffer lack of rain/punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- This shall be the guilt of Egypt and the guilt of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.
- This shall be the guilt of Egypt and the guilt of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.
Zec.14.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- מצלות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הסוס: NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- הסירות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כמזרקים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 28:36-38 (verbal): The phrase 'Holy to the LORD' (קדש ליהוה) is used as an inscription on the priestly headplate—verbal parallel to the inscription said to be on the horses' bells in Zech 14:20.
- Exodus 28:33-35 (structural): The presence of bells on the priestly robe (bells and pomegranates at the hem) parallels the image of bells on horses being associated with cultic service and sanctity.
- Exodus 27:3 (structural): Lists pots, basins and other utensils used at the altar; parallels Zech 14:20’s reference to 'pots in the house of the LORD' and bowls before the altar—shared cultic furniture and function.
- 1 Kings 7:50-51 (thematic): Description of the vessels made for Solomon's temple and consecrated for use there—a thematic parallel to temple vessels in Zech 14:20 being treated as holy and used before the altar.
- Leviticus 27:28 (allusion): The legal/theological idea that things devoted to the Lord become 'holy to the LORD' underlies Zech 14:20’s declaration of objects bearing the mark or status of holiness.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ And the cooking-pots in the house of the LORD shall be like the bowls before the altar.
- On that day there shall be on the horses' bells the inscription, "Holy to the LORD." And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Zec.14.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- סיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וביהודה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובאו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- כל: DET
- הזבחים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ולקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובשלו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כנעני: ADJ,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Ezek.44:9 (verbal): Both texts prohibit foreign/unclean persons profaning the sanctuary; Ezekiel condemns foreigners defiling God's holy name and entering the sanctuary, echoing Zechariah’s 'no more a Canaanite in the house of the LORD.'
- Zech.13:2 (thematic): Within the same prophet the theme of purging idolatry and foreign cultic influence recurs—'I will cut off the names of the idols' parallels the promise that Canaanite presence in the temple will cease.
- 2 Kings 23:4–5 (thematic): Josiah’s temple reforms—removal of idolatrous priests and cultic objects from the house of the LORD—illustrate the historical/ideological precedent for Zechariah’s vision of a temple cleansed of 'Canaanite' elements.
- Exod.12:43 (verbal): The Pentateuchal restriction that no foreigner may eat the Passover (a 'holy' meal) provides a contrast to Zechariah’s language about pots in Jerusalem being holy and used by those who sacrifice; both deal with who may partake of cultic food and the holiness of sacrificial utensils.
Alternative generated candidates
- Every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who sacrifice shall come and take of them and boil in them. And there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts on that day.
- Every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein. And on that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Behold, a day is coming for the LORD; your spoil will be divided within you.
I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle; the city shall be captured, the houses rifled, the women violated; half the city shall go forth into exile, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fights on a day of battle.
On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem eastward; and the Mount of Olives shall be cleft in its middle from east to west, forming a very great valley; half of the mountain shall move northward, and half of it southward. And you shall flee by the valley of the mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azel; you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. And on that day there shall be no bright light—no shining brightness, nor cold of frost.
It shall be one day known to the LORD—neither day nor night; but when evening comes there shall be light.
On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem: half of them toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea; in summer and in winter it shall be.
The LORD will be king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one.
All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in its place—from the Benjamin Gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, to the Tower of Hananel, even to the king's winepresses. And people shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more curse; Jerusalem shall dwell in safety. And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will smite all the peoples who wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
On that day there shall be a great panic from the LORD among them; every one will seize the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall be lifted against the hand of his neighbor.
Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered—gold, silver, and garments in abundance. Thus shall be the plague on the horses, the mules, the camels, the donkeys, and all the beasts that are in their camps. And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up year by year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And whoever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain upon them.
If the family of Egypt does not go up and enter, they shall have no rain; there shall be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
This shall be the sin of Egypt and the sin of all the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
On that day there shall be on the bells of the horses, 'Holy to the LORD'; and the cooking-pans in the house of the LORD shall be like the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who sacrifice shall come and take of them and boil in them; and there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts on that day.