Zechariah 14 14

Zechariah 14:14 kjv

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

Zechariah 14:14 nkjv

Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations Shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.

Zechariah 14:14 niv

Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected?great quantities of gold and silver and clothing.

Zechariah 14:14 esv

Even Judah will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance.

Zechariah 14:14 nlt

Judah, too, will be fighting at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the neighboring nations will be captured ? great quantities of gold and silver and fine clothing.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 14 Meaning

Zechariah 14:14 portrays a future divine intervention where, following an attack on Jerusalem by surrounding nations, the people of Judah will participate in the ensuing conflict. This verse describes the outcome of this engagement: immense wealth, specifically gold, silver, and garments, will be collected as spoils from the defeated enemy nations. This accumulation signifies God's reversal of fortune for His people, transforming a moment of dire threat into one of unprecedented provision and triumph.

Zechariah 14 14 Context

Zechariah 14 presents a vivid eschatological vision of "the Day of the Lord." It begins with Jerusalem being attacked, plundered, and half its population exiled. However, the Lord Himself intervenes directly and dramatically to fight against these attacking nations (Zech 14:3-5), standing on the Mount of Olives and transforming the very topography of the land. Following this divine intervention, unique climatic conditions and perpetual light prevail. Zechariah 14:14 sits within this larger prophetic narrative of final judgment and salvation. It describes a phase after the initial divine intervention where Judah plays an active role in the remaining conflict, leading to an extraordinary ingathering of wealth. The preceding verses depict a plague on the enemy, implying that Judah's "fighting" occurs amidst a divinely weakened foe. The chapter concludes with the total sanctification of Jerusalem and all its aspects, underscoring the Lord's ultimate triumph and reign.

Zechariah 14 14 Word analysis

• And Judah also shall fight (וְגַם־יְהוּדָה תִּלָּחֵם - vəgam-yehudāh tillāḥēm):

  • וְגַם (vəgam - and also): The conjunction "and" links this action to the divine judgment described earlier (e.g., plague on horses, mules, Zech 14:12-13). "Also" emphasizes that while God is fighting directly, Judah too will have a part. It's not instead of God, but in addition to His work.
  • יְהוּדָה (Yehudah - Judah): Refers to the people or tribal remnant of Judah. In an eschatological context, this can represent faithful Israel or those who ally with Jerusalem. It highlights a human, albeit empowered, participation in the ultimate conflict.
  • תִּלָּחֵם (tillāḥēm - shall fight/make war): From the root לחם (laḥam), meaning "to fight." This denotes active military engagement. The verb form indicates that Judah will be engaged in actual battle. Its placement immediately after descriptions of God's direct intervention suggests Judah's fighting is facilitated or empowered by God. This indicates a reversal from their prior vulnerability, reflecting divine enablement.

• at Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם - bîrūšālāyim):

  • בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם (bîrūšālāyim - in Jerusalem): "In" or "at" Jerusalem. This specifies the location of Judah's fighting, underscoring the defense and ultimate victory tied to the holy city. The battle is centered around God's dwelling place, making its outcome profoundly significant.

• and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together (וְגַם־חֵיל יְהוּדָה יֶאֱסֹף אֶת־חֵיל כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם סָבִיב - vəgam-ḥēl Yehudāh ye'esōf et-ḥēl kol-haggōyim sāvîv):

  • וְגַם־חֵיל (vəgam-ḥēl - and also the wealth/force): The gam ("also") connects to the earlier divine intervention. ḥayil (חֵיל) here primarily means "wealth," "riches," or "substance" derived from "power" or "strength." It refers to the movable possessions gained as war spoils.
  • יְהוּדָה (Yehudah - Judah): Again, the people of Judah are the beneficiaries and collectors.
  • יֶאֱסֹף (ye'esōf - shall gather/collect): From the root אסף (asaph), meaning "to gather, collect." This implies active collection and possession by Judah. It reverses the usual outcome for a beleaguered people, symbolizing divine recompense and triumph.
  • אֶת־חֵיל כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם (et-ḥēl kol-haggōyim - the wealth/force of all the nations): "Wealth" is the main understanding of ḥayil here. The use of "all" (כָּל) emphasizes the totality and extent of the defeat of Jerusalem's attackers. "Nations" (גּוֹיִם, goyim) specifically refers to Gentile nations, often seen in prophetic literature as hostile to God's people.
  • סָבִיב (sāvîv - round about/surrounding): Designates the nations geographically encircling Jerusalem, the historical antagonists of Israel.

• gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance (זָהָב וְכֶסֶף וּבְגָדִים לָרֹב מְאֹד - zāhāv vākesef uvəḡādîm lārōv məʾod):

  • זָהָב (zāhāv - gold), וְכֶסֶף (vākesef - and silver), וּבְגָדִים (uvəḡādîm - and apparel): These are specified categories of wealth. Gold and silver represent the most valuable, universal forms of currency and treasure. Apparel (clothing) was also highly valuable, often exchanged as goods, and indicates the capture of personal effects of the enemy. Listing them underscores the tangibility and immense value of the spoils.
  • לָרֹב מְאֹד (lārōv məʾod - in great abundance/very much): This double intensive "abundance" (רֹב) and "very" (מְאֹד) powerfully conveys the unprecedented quantity of the gathered wealth. It symbolizes an overflowing blessing and a complete reversal of fortune.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem": This phrase emphasizes the participatory role of Judah alongside God's own direct intervention. It denotes an active, though divinely empowered, military effort by the remnant, not merely passive observation. This signifies the restoration of strength and dignity to God's people.
  • "the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together": This encapsulates the core promise of immense, material blessing derived directly from the defeated enemies. It is a visible sign of divine favor and ultimate victory over those who opposed God's chosen city and people.
  • "gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance": The specificity and intensity of this description ensure that the reader grasps the tangible and overflowing nature of the blessings. It paints a picture of unparalleled enrichment and highlights the value of the spoils taken from Jerusalem's erstwhile enemies.

Zechariah 14 14 Bonus section

This verse, within its broader context, addresses the common post-exilic concerns about material well-being and security. The imagery of Judah fighting and gathering vast wealth from their defeated enemies would have been profoundly reassuring. It's a divine promise not just of protection, but of flourishing. The fact that Judah fights – even if divinely assisted – points to a co-laboring or responsive faith on the part of God's people in the ultimate victory, rather than complete passivity. This scenario is a common biblical theme where God gives victory to His people through war (e.g., Israel entering Canaan, many battles in Judges and Samuel, Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles). The immense spoils are a tangible manifestation of the "plunder of their enemies" mentioned elsewhere as part of the messianic blessings. This also subtly prefigures the nations serving Israel (e.g., Isa 60), where their wealth is integrated into the renewed Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14 14 Commentary

Zechariah 14:14 projects a striking vision of material blessing arising directly from divine judgment upon hostile nations. This is not simply survival for Jerusalem but triumphant reversal. Judah, often seen as weak or under siege, is here an active participant in God's great battle, empowered to secure overwhelming spoils. The description of gold, silver, and garments in "great abundance" vividly conveys God's immense provision and compensation for past suffering. This wealth signifies the transfer of resources from the oppressors to the blessed, embodying God's justice and sovereignty over all earthly treasures. Ultimately, the verse testifies to the comprehensive nature of God's victory and the subsequent enrichment of His people in the eschatological age, under His undisputed rule. This passage resonates as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to restore and lavishly bless His elect. Practically, it underscores the spiritual principle that faithful endurance and alignment with God's purposes will culminate in abundant reward, often through unexpected means or the very challenges once faced.