Zechariah 14 13

Zechariah 14:13 kjv

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

Zechariah 14:13 nkjv

It shall come to pass in that day That a great panic from the LORD will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, And raise his hand against his neighbor's hand;

Zechariah 14:13 niv

On that day people will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another.

Zechariah 14:13 esv

And on that day a great panic from the LORD shall fall on them, so that each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other.

Zechariah 14:13 nlt

On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the LORD with great panic. They will fight their neighbors hand to hand.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 13 Meaning

Zechariah 14:13 describes a devastating, supernaturally induced judgment upon the nations that attack Jerusalem in the eschatological "Day of the LORD." God will afflict these armies with a profound panic, causing such extreme confusion and disorientation that each soldier will turn violently against his own comrades. This divinely orchestrated internal strife leads to the complete self-destruction of the invading forces, showcasing God's sovereign power to protect His people and defeat His adversaries through chaos and mutual annihilation rather than conventional warfare.

Zechariah 14 13 Context

Zechariah 14:13 is situated within the dramatic final chapter of Zechariah, which vividly describes the ultimate "Day of the LORD"—an eschatological period when God directly intervenes in human history. The preceding verses (Zec 14:1-12) depict the nations gathered against Jerusalem for battle, the LORD's direct physical return to the Mount of Olives, the splitting of the mountain, and a series of devastating supernatural judgments—including plagues and confusion—inflicted upon these hostile armies. Verse 13 specifically elaborates on the nature of this divine judgment, focusing on the internal chaos and self-destruction that will grip the invaders. It forms a key part of the LORD's decisive victory, not by human might, but by overwhelming divine power and an uncreation of their unified threat, leading to the establishment of His worldwide kingdom from Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14 13 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass: Wĕhāyā (וְהָיָה). A common Hebrew prophetic idiom signaling that the ensuing events are certain, future, and divinely ordained to occur. It underscores the infallibility of the prophecy.
• in that day: Bayyôm hahû (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא). This phrase appears repeatedly throughout Zechariah, especially in chapters 12-14, acting as a crucial temporal marker for the singular, decisive "Day of the LORD." It denotes a specific, eschatological period of divine intervention, judgment, and redemption, transcending a mere twenty-four-hour cycle. It represents the climactic conclusion of human history as we know it, when God's kingdom will be fully established.
• that a great panic: M'hûmâ gĕdôlâ (מְהוּמָה גְדֹלָה). The word m'hûmâ signifies a deep, bewildering confusion, tumult, and disarray, often divinely inflicted (e.g., Deut 7:23; 1 Sam 5:9; Isa 22:5). It is more than simple fear; it is a chaotic disorientation that utterly undermines the enemy's cohesion and purpose. The descriptor "great" emphasizes the unprecedented intensity and overwhelming nature of this divine affliction.
• from the LORD: Mēʾēt YHWH (מֵאֵת יְהוָה). This crucial attribution leaves no doubt about the source of the panic. It is not a random event or a result of human error but a direct, supernatural act of the sovereign God, Yahweh. This highlights God's ultimate control over all circumstances and His active involvement in judgment against those who oppose His divine will and His people.
• will fall on them: "Them" refers to the hostile nations mentioned in Zechariah 14:2 who have gathered against Jerusalem. The act of "falling on" conveys a sudden, inescapable, and comprehensive affliction that engulfs the entire enemy force, demonstrating their utter helplessness against God's power.
• so that each man will seize the hand of his neighbor: Wĕheḥĕzîq ʾîš yad rēʻēhû (וְהֶחֱזִיק אִישׁ יַד רֵעֵהוּ). The verb heḥĕzîq (from ḥāzaq) means "to grasp," "to seize," or "to hold fast." While rēʻēhû means "his neighbor" or "his comrade," in the context of the subsequent clause, this seizure is not for alliance or support, but likely in conflict, aggression, or a desperate, misdirected attack in their panic. It illustrates the complete breakdown of military discipline and camaraderie.
• and his hand will be raised against the hand of his neighbor: Wĕyad lāʻīd yad rēʻēhû (וְיַד עַל־יַד רֵעֵהוּ). The Hebrew construction, literally "hand against hand," signifies internecine warfare—soldiers attacking and killing one another. This phrase elucidates the malicious intent behind the "seizing" in the preceding clause. It depicts the climax of the divine panic, where the invading army, instead of fighting a common enemy, descends into self-annihilating chaos, becoming its own destroyer. This imagery dramatically demonstrates God's ability to turn an army's strength into its own demise.

Words-group analysis:

• "a great panic from the LORD will fall on them": This entire phrase encapsulates the direct divine judgment. It emphasizes that the chaos is not a psychological weakness or strategic blunder of the nations but a supernatural imposition by God himself, intended to bring about their destruction. It positions the LORD as the ultimate architect of their undoing, overriding all human plans and military might.
• "so that each man will seize the hand of his neighbor, and his hand will be raised against the hand of his neighbor": This dual clause powerfully illustrates the consequence of the divine panic: profound internal strife and self-annihilation. The imagery progresses from grasping (possibly in confusion or prelude to combat) to outright hostile action. It visually depicts an army completely disintegrating, transforming into a suicidal mob, thus eliminating the threat it once posed to God's people without external human intervention.

Zechariah 14 13 Bonus section

The motif of enemies turning their weapons against each other as a form of divine judgment is a potent and recurring theme throughout Scripture. This particular instance in Zechariah, in the context of the eschatological Day of the LORD, signifies the ultimate and definitive application of this principle. It is a powerful polemic against any reliance on human military power or confederation, as even the largest and most unified hostile forces are shown to be susceptible to God's disruptive hand. Spiritually, this passage serves as a powerful metaphor for the destructive consequences of internal strife, disunity, and rebellion against God, where sin itself ultimately leads to self-inflicted wounds and chaos, reflecting a divine principle in the created order. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Zechariah underscores the meticulous detail and certainty of God's future plans.

Zechariah 14 13 Commentary

Zechariah 14:13 paints a chilling picture of God's final, overwhelming judgment upon the nations that dare to assault Jerusalem in the "Day of the LORD." This is not a battle won by Israel's might, but a divine intervention. The "great panic" originates solely from the LORD, emphasizing His sovereignty and capability to render powerful human armies utterly powerless. This panic leads to complete internal disarray and internecine conflict, where the soldiers, confused and disoriented, turn their destructive fury upon one another rather than their intended target. This method of judgment—causing enemies to destroy themselves—is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, serving to highlight God's unmatched power and the futility of resisting Him. Ultimately, this verse underscores the certainty of divine justice against wickedness and the assurance of God's ultimate triumph and protection for His chosen city and people, establishing His reign without physical human armies.