Zechariah 14 18

Zechariah 14:18 kjv

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that 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.

Zechariah 14:18 nkjv

If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:18 niv

If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:18 esv

And if the family of Egypt does not go up and present themselves, then on them there shall be no rain; there shall be the plague with which the LORD afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the Feast of Booths.

Zechariah 14:18 nlt

If the people of Egypt refuse to attend the festival, the LORD will punish them with the same plague that he sends on the other nations who refuse to go.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 18 Meaning

Zechariah 14:18 pronounces divine judgment upon Egypt and, by extension, any Gentile nation that refuses to participate in the universal worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem's Feast of Tabernacles during the eschatological age. It specifically addresses Egypt's unique agricultural dependence on the Nile River rather than rain, declaring that while other nations would suffer from drought for disobedience, Egypt would face a direct plague—the same plague universally meted out by the LORD to all non-compliant "heathen" nations. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty and adaptability in executing His judgments over every nation, regardless of their natural environment or traditional methods of sustenance.

Zechariah 14 18 Context

Zechariah 14 presents a prophetic vision of the ultimate "Day of the LORD," an eschatological period marked by God's direct intervention in human history. The chapter describes Jerusalem being attacked by all nations, only for the LORD to miraculously intervene, save His people, and establish His universal kingship over all the earth (Zech 14:1-9). This intervention will involve cosmic disturbances, divine judgment, and the purification of Jerusalem, making it a holy city for God's presence. In this future kingdom age, all surviving nations are commanded to ascend to Jerusalem annually to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech 14:16). Verses 17 and 18 detail the consequences for nations that refuse this pilgrimage: those who rely on rain for agriculture will face drought, but Egypt, historically reliant on the Nile's inundation, will face a specific "plague" to emphasize that no nation, regardless of its unique circumstances, is exempt from God's universal sovereignty and judgment. The chapter culminates in a vision of complete holiness throughout Jerusalem, signifying the LORD's absolute reign. Historically, this prophecy was given to Israel post-exile, offering hope of a future vindication and global dominion under their Messiah, contrasting their humble contemporary circumstances with God's ultimate plan.

Zechariah 14 18 Word analysis

• And if the family of Egypt:
  • And if (וְאִם ve'im): Introduces a conditional clause, outlining a scenario where Egypt disobeys the command from Zech 14:16.
  • the family of Egypt (מִשְׁפַּחַת מִצְרַיִם mishpachat mitzrayim): "Family" or "clan" here refers to the entire nation of Egypt, viewed as a collective unit. Egypt, Mitzrayim, serves as a representative Gentile nation, particularly significant due to its ancient enmity with Israel and its perceived self-sufficiency (relying on the Nile, not solely rain from heaven), a subtle polemic against its reliance on its own gods and resources.
• go not up, and come not,
  • (לֹא תַעֲלֶה וְלֹא תָבוֹא lo ta'aleh v'lo tavo): A clear declaration of refusal or disobedience to the command to "go up" (i.e., ascend to Jerusalem) for worship. This emphasizes deliberate defiance against the universally established worship of the King, Yahweh, in the Messianic era.
• that have no rain,
  • (אֲשֶׁר אֵין עֲלֵיהֶם הַגֶּשֶׁם asher ein aleihem hageshem): A crucial clause that differentiates Egypt from other nations. Egypt primarily depended on the annual flooding of the Nile for irrigation and agriculture, not direct rainfall. This phrase anticipates the standard judgment of withheld rain (Zech 14:17) and immediately signals that a different, specific judgment will be applied to Egypt, demonstrating God's justice is tailored to specific contexts. It highlights God's comprehensive sovereignty, able to judge nations through means beyond just natural rainfall, targeting their unique economic basis. This is a powerful polemic against any perception that Egypt, with its unique environment, is somehow exempt from God's judgment or not under His ultimate control over natural forces.
• there shall be the plague,
  • (וְהָיְתָה עָלָיו הַמַּגֵּפָה vehayta alav hammaggefah): The consequence for Egypt's refusal. Maggēphah (plague, stroke, pestilence) denotes a divine affliction. This likely refers to the dreadful, wasting plague described earlier in Zech 14:12 (a direct and severe judgment), applied here specifically to Egypt because withholding rain (the standard judgment for other nations) would not impact their primary irrigation system in the same way. It is a severe, divinely inflicted suffering.
• wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen
  • wherewith (אֲשֶׁר asher): Connects the plague to its divine origin.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה YHWH): Emphasizes that this judgment originates from the covenant God of Israel, now acknowledged as the universal King. It underlines divine authority.
  • will smite (יִגֹּף yiggōph): From the verb nagaph, "to strike" or "to plague." It reinforces the direct and active role of God in delivering the judgment.
  • the heathen (אֵת הַגּוֹיִם et haggoyim): "The nations," referring to all Gentile nations. This clarifies that the plague is the general form of punishment for all who refuse to go up to worship, making Egypt's experience a specific instance of a universal judgment.
• that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
  • (הָרְשָׁלִים לַעֲלוֹת לָחֹג אֶת חַג הַסֻּכּוֹת haroshalim la'alot lachog et Chag haSukkot): Explicitly states the specific act of disobedience: failure to observe the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast, originally commemorating God's provision in the wilderness, takes on eschatological significance as a universal festival of gratitude and joyful worship of Yahweh's reign.

Zechariah 14 18 Bonus section

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in this eschatological context of Zechariah 14 transitions from a primarily Israelite feast to a universal human observance. This is significant because Sukkot typically celebrated the ingathering of harvest and commemorated God's provision and dwelling with Israel during their wilderness journey. Its transformation into a worldwide pilgrimage in the kingdom age implies:

1. Universal harvest: A future time when all nations will recognize and benefit from God's gracious provision.
2. God dwelling with all humanity: Symbolizing God's universal presence and a restoration of true communion beyond Israel, embodying the ultimate fulfillment of His desire to "tabernacle" among people.
3. End of national distinctions in worship: While Jerusalem remains the central place of worship, the call to worship extends to all nations, breaking down barriers and establishing a global family under God's rule. This elevates the spiritual meaning of the feast far beyond its initial cultural confines.The precise nature of "the plague" in Zechariah 14:12-15 is graphic and horrific, involving the wasting away of flesh, eyes, and tongue. While the detailed specifics are terrifying, the primary intent of mentioning "the plague" here for Egypt (and "the heathen") is not just to paint a picture of physical destruction but to emphasize the severe, divine origin and unavoidable consequence of rebellion against God's ultimate kingship. It signifies a profound loss of life and well-being as a direct result of spiritual defiance.

Zechariah 14 18 Commentary

Zechariah 14:18 is a concise yet profound statement on divine judgment in the coming kingdom age. Following the decree that all surviving nations must go up to Jerusalem to worship God at the Feast of Tabernacles, verse 17 outlines the punishment for non-compliance: no rain. However, Zechariah 14:18 specifically addresses Egypt's case, which traditionally relied on the Nile River's annual flood, making rainfall less agriculturally critical. God's justice is thus portrayed not as rigid and uniform but as adaptable to the unique circumstances of each nation, demonstrating His universal knowledge and absolute sovereignty.

Rather than experiencing a drought which might not affect them significantly, Egypt will be struck by the "plague," linking back to the devastating affliction mentioned in Zechariah 14:12. This substitution for the rain-withholding judgment underscores several key principles. Firstly, it reaffirms God's total dominion over all aspects of nature and national prosperity, challenging any nation's perception of self-sufficiency. For Egypt, known for its reliance on its own powerful river and pantheon of nature deities, this tailored judgment is a direct polemic against their traditional beliefs and presumed independence from a rain-giving God. Secondly, it emphasizes the inescapable nature of God's wrath against disobedience. No nation, however uniquely situated, can evade accountability before the universal King. The reference to "the heathen" confirms this is a universal principle of judgment, with Egypt serving as a specific, illustrative example. This verse serves as a stern warning and an affirmation of the ultimate authority of Yahweh over all creation and humanity.

• Practical Usage:
  • Recognizing God's universal sovereignty: Just as God knew how to justly deal with Egypt's unique reliance on the Nile, He understands all individual circumstances and governs all aspects of life.
  • No evasion of accountability: No matter one's perceived exceptionalism or unique circumstances, God's standards and judgment apply to all.
  • Warning against deliberate spiritual disobedience: Actively refusing to acknowledge and worship God brings severe consequences, regardless of cultural context.