THE PROPHET
ZECHARIAH

Zechariah 14

1The destruction of Jerusalem. 3The coming of Christ, the graces of his kingdom, and the restoration of Jerusalem. 12The plague of Jerusalem's enemies. 16The remnant shall turn to the Lord. 20The holiness of all that belongeth to them.


1BEHOLD, 1the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.2

1 That is, there comes a day for the Lord. Other, the day of the LORD cometh, or, the day from the LORD cometh, that is, the day which is well-known to the Lord, as it is in verse 7. Some understand this of the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasianus and Titus; others of the persecution of the church under the cruel tyrant Antiochus, in the time of the Maccabees. Others refer it to the antichrist and his cruel persecution.

2 Understand hereby: Jerusalem and the Jewish land.

2For I will gather 3all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and thea houses rifled,b and the women ravished; and 4half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and 5the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3 Compare Ezek. 38:4, 6, 9, 15; Hab. 1:6. All is here as much as many or all sorts, as Jonah 2:3.

a Isa. 13:16.

b plundered

4 That is, a great many of the inhabitants of the city shall be carried away captive, namely, of them who shall have escaped the sword, the plague and the famine.

5 If we understand this prophecy to be the besieging of Jerusalem by Vespasianus and Titus, then it is to say the godly people shall leave Jerusalem into the small city of Pella before the close siege, and so shall remain alive. This is the third part of which the prophet has spoken, Zech. 13:8, 9.

3Thenc shall the LORD go forth, and fight 6against those nations, 7as when he fought in the day of battle.

c Isa. 42:13.

6 Namely, against all those nations which shall be enemies to God’s church.

7 Or, according as he used to fight for you in the day of the battle, namely, in the time of Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah, David, Asa and more at other times.

4¶And his feet shall stand 8in that day upon the mount of Olives, 9which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall 10cleave in the midst thereof 11toward the east and toward the west, 12and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

8 Namely, at the time of Christ, Who did converse on the mount of Olives, and there began His suffering and ascended to heaven. See Luke 22:39; Acts 1:12.

9 Hebr. that is before the face of Jerusalem towards the east. See Acts 1:12.

10 Hebr. in the midst thereof or split into halves.

11 That is, in length from the east to the west.

12 That is, so that there shall be a very large valley between those two parts, and that one shall be able to see Jerusalem modestly, which before was as hidden and obscured with this mount and others. Understand this of the spiritual Jerusalem, namely, the church of God, of which the Gentiles, before the coming of Christ, had no knowledge; but then all hindrances, which could for the Gentiles obstruct or cut off the entrance to Christ and His church, shall be taken away, and they shall have an open passage to the same. Compare Isa. 57:14; 62:10.

5And 13ye shall 14flee 15to the valley 16of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto 17Azal: 18yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from 19befored the earthquake 20in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: 21and the LORD my God shall come, and 22all the saints 23with thee.

13 O My chosen ones.

14 That is, come running hastily, as those who are wont to flee to a place of safety. Or, it may be understood of the wicked Jews, who, for fear and terror of punishment, would flee away, and make room for God’s people coming in.

15 Other, through the valley, etc., that is, to My church.

16 Or, of my mountains, that is, of the two parts of the Mount of Olives; meaning, that valley which God had made by splitting the Mount of Olives.

17 Other, to the mountain which he had separated or chosen, namely, Mount Zion; he, namely, the LORD. The sense is: There shall be a large passage, so that everyone shall have room and place enough to come unto the church of Christ. As for the mountain of Azal, it is uncertain where it is located, being no mentioned made of it elsewhere.

18 Other, ye shall flee, I say, like, etc.

19 Or, because the earthquake, or, out of fear for the earthquake. See Amos 1:1.

d Amos 1:1.

20 See of the king Uzziah 2 Chron. 26:19.

21 This the prophet speaks in his own person. The sense is: After the first appearance of Christ in the flesh, the other shall follow at the last day.

22 That is, all angels. See Dan. 8:13.

23 Here the prophet addresses his speech to Christ, which, as some conceive, is done therefore, because the prophet knew well that the wicked Jews would not believe him. Compare Joel 3:11.

6And it shall come to pass in that day, 24that the 25light shall not be clear, nor 26dark:

24 That is, there shall be no turns of light and darkness, bright day and dark night; it shall be an eternal day. See Isa. 60:19, 20; Rev. 21:23; 22:5. Yet some do understand this of the light of the Holy Gospel, which shall shine in Christ’s time. Others refer it to the obscuring or darkening of the sun, at the time of Christ’s suffering.

25 That is, the clear light, as Job 31:26.

26 Hebr. thickened, namely, of darkness. Other, twilight.

7But ite shall be 27one day 28which shall be known to the LORD, not 29day, nor 30night: but it shall come to pass, that 31at evening time it shall be light.

e Rev. 21:25.

27 That is, a day to last forever.

28 Only the Lord knows when that day shall begin, Mat. 24:36.

29 Namely, such a day which begins with the rising of the sun.

30 Namely, such a night as is caused by the sun’s absence.

31 Understand here by the evening the entire night, or, that time of the evening, that is, when the evening begins. See Isa. 60:20; Rev. 21:23.

8And it shall be 32in that day, thatf33living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; 34half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward 35the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall 36it 37be.

32 That is, at the time of the appearance of Christ in the flesh.

f Ezek. 47:1, etc.; Joel 3:18; Rev. 22:1.

33 That is, ever flowing and running. Hereby must be understood the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which Christ would pour out abundantly upon His church. See Ezek. 47:1; Joel 3:18; Rev. 22:1. Compare John 4:14; 7:38.

34 That is, all true believers, wherever they have their abode in the world, either towards the rising or setting of the sun, shall be made partakers of these spiritual gifts.

35 Such is called the Mediterranean Sea. See Deut. 11 on verse 24; 34:2.

36 That is, forever and always lasting.

37 That is, last, continue. Other, it shall come to pass summer and winter.

9And 38the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day 39shall there 40be one LORD, and his name one.

38 Namely, the Lord Christ Jesus.

39 That is, He alone shall be honored and worshipped, as being the only true God and Savior; the idols shall be destroyed, Zech. 13:2.

40 That is, to be made known. Thus the word be is likewise used, John 15:8 so shall ye be my disciples, that is, is known for My disciples.

1041All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and 42it shall be 43lifted up, and 44inhabited in her place, 45from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from 46the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

41 Namely, the land of Judea, from the one end of the land to the other. For, Geba, otherwise Gibeah, was situated on the borders of Benjamin, 1 Kings 15:22, and Rimmon at the borders of the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:32; 19:7. See of Geba, Joshua 21:17; 1 Kings 15:22; Isa. 10:29.

42 Namely, the city of Jerusalem, whereby the church of God is meant here, especially that of the New Testament church.

43 That is, her fame and glory shall rise and spread much.

44 That is, many shall come and join themselves to the church.

45 That is, at all places where the Lord shall have His church. Benjamin’s gate is also spoken in Jer. 20:2; 37:13.

46 See Neh. 3:1; 12:39; Jer. 31:38.

11And men shall dwell 47in it, and 48there shall be no more utter destruction; but 49Jerusalem shall be 50safely 51inhabited.

47 Namely, in the city of Jerusalem, that is, in the congregation of God.

48 That is, she shall be no more destroyed as formerly, when it seemed that I had altogether banned and rejected her. See Deut. 2 on verse 34.

49 That is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

50 Hebr. in security.

51 Or, shall be dwelt in.

1252And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people 53that have fought against Jerusalem; 54Their flesh shall 55consume away while 56they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their 57tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

52 After the prophet had spoken of the state and the opportunity of the believers, he now speaks here of the vexations and miseries of the wicked.

53 That is, who have fought and persecuted the church of God.

54 Hebr. his flesh, that is, every one’s flesh, body, limbs, members, or, the flesh of the same; also later his eyes and his tongue.

55 That is, utterly to be destroyed.

56 That is, suddenly, unawares, expecting no evil. See an example in Herod, Acts 12:21, etc.

57 With which they have blasphemed and reviled God and His people.

1358And it shall come to pass in that day, that 59a great tumult 60from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall 61lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall 62rise up against the hand of his neighbour.

58 The sense is: God the Lord shall not only smite them by His hand, verse 12, but also through themselves among each other; and also by His people, verse 14. Compare Ezek. 30:21, etc.

59 Or, a great noise or uproar, which the Lord shall hurry on them.

60 Hebr. of the LORD.

61 Whether in an hostile manner or out of fear and anguish; requesting help and comfort from his friend, companion or neighbor. Compare Judges 7:22; 1 Sam. 14:20; Ezek. 38:21, 22.

62 Whether to strike, or, according to others, seeking help and assistance.

14And 63Judah also shall 64fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall 65be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.

63 That is, the people of Judah, the Jews. Other, Also thou, Judah, shalt fight against Jerusalem.

64 Namely, against those nations of whom is spoken in verse 12.

65 That is, to be carried away; it shall be gathered to be carried away. The sense is: God shall give unto His church an absolute victory over all her enemies, in order that they shall plunder and rob them of all their goods, as occurs in a war when one has conquered his enemies. This is a figurative speech borrowed from wars and warriors.

15And so shall be 66the plague 67of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in 68these tents, as this 69plague.

66 The sense is: The Lord shall not only destroy the enemies of His church, but He shall likewise eliminate all their power and force, together with every means they have used, to fight against God’s people.

67 Or, of the horses, of the mules, etc.

68 Understand the tents of those which would have been round about Jerusalem.

69 Namely, the plague to those men, spoken of before in verses 12, 13, 14.

16¶And it shall come to pass, that 70every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even 71go up from year to year tog worship 72the King, the LORD of hosts, and 73to keep the feast of tabernacles.

70 That is, all those whom the LORD shall not have destroyed, namely, all the elect, who, by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, shall be brought to the true knowledge of God.

71 Namely, to Jerusalem. The Lord shall convert them, so that they also shall be joined to the christian church to serve the Lord. The prophet describes here the inward worship of the church of the New Testament by the outward worship customarily used in the Old Testament.

g Isa. 66:23.

72 That is, the Lord Christ.

73 That is, to bless and praise God for His mercies, as the people of God were accustomed to do when they kept the Feast of the Tabernacles. See Lev. 23:34, etc. And under the name of this feast is comprehended all honor and worship one owes to God.

17And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, 74even upon them shall be no rain.

74 That is, the LORD shall not bless but rather curse them; the rain being an outward sign of the blessing of the LORD. Compare Deut. 28:23, 24; Isa. 30:23.

18And if 75the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, 76that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

75 Some do understand here the Egyptians, (who were very great enemies of the people of God), likewise all other heathen nations, enemies of God’s church.

76 That is, upon which it commonly does not rain as upon other lands; for, it seldom rains in Egypt, but ordinarily the overflowing of the river Nile moistens the land twice a year. See Deut. 11:10. Other, although it used not to rain over them, yet shall that plague come upon them where with the LORD shall plague those heathen, that, etc. As if the Lord had said: Although it usually rains not with them, yet shall they not escape this curse, for the plague, which shall come upon others by the withholding of rain from them, shall light upon them also by other means. Or thus; And if the family of the Egyptians shall not march up nor come, then the rain shall not be over them, the plague shall be, wherewith etc.

19This shall be 77the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up 78to keep the feast of tabernacles.

77 That is, the punishment of sin.

78 That is, to serve the Lord.

20¶In that day shall there 79be 80upon the bells of the horses, 81HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be 82like the bowls before the altar.

79 Or, stand.

80 It is the custom of several countries that the carriers hang bells on the necks of their horses, thinking that the sound of them does somewhat refresh and encourage the horses.

81 The sense is: that even the smallest things, which are likewise used to be employed in the war against God’s people, etc., shall be consecrated to the service of God. This was title which was inscribed on a golden plate which the high priest used to wear on his forehead. See thereof Exod. 28:36.

82 Namely, in quantity and large number. The sense is: There shall be plenty of means for the service of God, also ministers in great numbers for the performance of the Divine worship, as there shall also be many of those who offer.

21Yea, every pot 83in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be 84holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and 85seetheh therein: and in that day there shall be noi more 86the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

83 That is, those which shall be in Jerusalem.

84 Or, holy, that is, hallowed, consecrated to the Lord.

85 Namely, their offerings. See 1 Sam. 2:13.

h boil*

i Isa. 35:8; Joel 3:17; Rev. 21:27; 22:15.

86 That is, no unclean and wicked man. Compare Rev. 21:27. See also Isa. 35:8; Joel 3:17. Understand herewith: that those, who shall be and remain in the house of the LORD, shall be cleansed from their sins and regenerated, Eph. 5:27. Others understand it thus: In the time of the Messiah, neither people nor nation shall be excluded from the worship of God or out of the temple, for, those nations, which formerly were unclean, shall then be holy and pure before the LORD.