Zechariah 14:12 kjv
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Zechariah 14:12 nkjv
And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
Zechariah 14:12 niv
This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
Zechariah 14:12 esv
And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
Zechariah 14:12 nlt
And the LORD will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
Zechariah 14 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zechariah 14:12 | and this will be the plague | Cross-reference to plague description |
| Isaiah 13:7-8 | tremble and seize them; they will be in anguish, like a woman in labor | divine judgment and distress |
| Jeremiah 6:24 | fear grips them; pain and anguish like a woman in labor | similar description of distress |
| Jeremiah 22:23 | Woe to you who dwell in Lebanon, set among the cedars! How you will groan when pangs come upon you | distress of nations |
| Ezekiel 5:12 | a third part of you shall die by pestilence and by famine shall be consumed in your midst | divine judgments (pestilence) |
| Ezekiel 14:21 | For thus says the Lord GOD: How much more when I send against Jerusalem my four disastrous judgments | divine judgments |
| Revelation 6:8 | And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. | personification of death/judgment |
| Revelation 16:2 | And the first angel poured his bowl into the earth, and from it came oozing sores | plagues upon disobedient |
| Revelation 19:17-18 | and to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings...and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” | divine judgment, consuming enemies |
| Revelation 20:7-9 | the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle...They marched up over the broad earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them. | final rebellion and judgment |
| Joel 2:30 | “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke." | signs of judgment |
| Joel 3:2 | I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat...there I will enter into judgment with them concerning my people and my heritage Israel | divine judgment on nations |
| Amos 1:3 | For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment | judgment on surrounding nations |
| Nahum 2:10 | empty, void, and devastated. Hearts melting, knees knocking, great anguish in every loins. | description of fearful ruin |
| Psalm 50:3-6 | Our God shall come and not keep silence...He summons the heavens above and the earth to his judgment | God as judge |
| 2 Peter 3:10 | But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar | day of the Lord |
| Matthew 24:7 | For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. | signs of end times |
| Revelation 17:14 | They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. | Christ’s victory over enemies |
| Revelation 20:3 | and then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur... | final defeat of Satan |
Zechariah 14 verses
Zechariah 14 12 Meaning
This verse describes a terrifying plague that will strike all the nations who fight against Jerusalem. It speaks of flesh withering away, eyes dissolving in their sockets, and tongues becoming stiff in mouths. This signifies a complete and utter destruction, a divine judgment upon those who oppose God's people and His ultimate purposes for Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14 12 Context
Zechariah chapter 14 describes the final outpouring of God's judgment upon His enemies and His ultimate redemption of Jerusalem. The chapter sets the stage for the glorious return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. Verse 12 specifically details a devastating plague that will afflict the nations hostile to Jerusalem, highlighting the severity of God's judgment against those who oppose His will and His people. This event is presented as part of the eschatological purification before the Messianic kingdom is fully established.
Zechariah 14 12 Word analysis
- and (wa, וְ): A common conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding description of judgment.
- this (zeh, זֶה): Refers to the specific plague described immediately.
- will be (hayah, הָיָה): Future tense verb, indicating a future event.
- the plague (hamaggehpah, הַמַּגֵּפָה): "The pestilence" or "the plague." This specific noun emphasizes a divinely sent disease as a form of judgment. It signifies a devastating sickness or outbreak.
- which (asher, אֲשֶׁר): A relative pronoun, linking the plague to its consequence.
- will strike (nakaph, נָקַף): In Hiphil stem, it means "to smite" or "to strike." Here, it describes a violent and thorough affliction.
- all (kol, כָּל): Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this judgment, affecting every one.
- the nations (haggoyim, הַגּוֹיִם): Refers to the Gentile nations, specifically those opposing God's people.
- that (asher, אֲשֶׁר): Another relative pronoun, defining which nations are targeted.
- make war (la-cherev, לַחֲרֶב): Literally "for sword," implying fighting or engaging in warfare. It connects to the context of military opposition.
- against (al, עַל): Preposition indicating the direction of the conflict.
- Jerusalem (Yerushalayim, יְרוּשָׁלָיִם): The central focus of God's plan and a symbolic representation of God's people and presence.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "and this will be the plague": This phrase unequivocally declares the nature and source of the impending affliction – a divinely ordained plague.
- "which will strike all the nations": This indicates the universal reach of the judgment among those aligned against God's purposes.
- "that make war against Jerusalem": This clearly defines the reason and the specific group targeted by this plague – those who actively wage war upon the holy city, representing opposition to God's kingdom.
Zechariah 14 12 Bonus section
The description in Zechariah 14:12 has often been interpreted in various ways:
- Literal Plague: Some view this as a literal, widespread disease that will physically incapacitate enemy armies.
- Figurative Judgment: Others understand it as symbolic of overwhelming divine wrath that renders the enemy utterly defenseless and destroyed, perhaps through supernatural means beyond typical warfare.
- Psychological Warfare: The intense physical suffering described could also imply a psychological breakdown and panic inflicted by God’s overwhelming presence and power, making soldiers unable to function.
The severity of the affliction emphasizes God’s protective power over Jerusalem and His definitive judgment against all forms of rebellion directed at His ultimate plan for the earth. The chapter culminates in the establishment of God’s universal kingdom, with Jerusalem as its center.
Zechariah 14 12 Commentary
Zechariah 14:12 presents a vivid and gruesome description of divine judgment, signifying the absolute destruction awaiting those who militantly oppose Jerusalem, and by extension, God’s purposes for His people. This plague is not a natural disease but a supernatural infliction, detailing a decay of the physical body that leads to incapacitation and death. The imagery suggests a divine judgment that targets the very means by which people engage in warfare – their flesh, eyes, and tongues. This serves as a powerful warning against resisting God's ultimate sovereignty and His plans for His chosen city.