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

This verse describes a consequence for nations that do not celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as Booths). If they fail to observe this pilgrimage feast, a plague will be sent upon them, similar to the plagues God sent upon Egypt. This signifies divine judgment and a loss of God's favor for those who disregard His appointed times of worship and remembrance.

Zechariah 14 18 Context

This verse is the concluding statement of Zechariah chapter 14, which vividly describes the final, victorious reign of the Lord over all the earth. The preceding verses depict Jerusalem as the center of this renewed world, with nations flocking to it for worship. The chapter speaks of both judgment on those who oppose God and blessing for those who align with Him. Specifically, verse 18 addresses a punitive consequence for nations that do not participate in a key covenant festival, the Feast of Tabernacles, indicating a future expectation of universal obedience and worship among all nations. The Feast of Tabernacles represented God's dwelling among His people during their wilderness wanderings and was a time of joyous remembrance and celebration of God's provision and protection. Its universal observance in the messianic age highlights a global return to proper worship and submission to God's sovereignty.

Zechariah 14 18 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - wə): A common conjunction, often meaning "and," "but," or connecting clauses or ideas. Here, it links the specific condition of non-observance to the consequence.
• it: Refers to the Feast of Tabernacles, mentioned in the previous verse.
• shall come to pass (יִקְרֶה - yiqreh): Literally "shall happen" or "shall occur." It introduces an inevitable event or outcome.
• upon every nation (אֶל־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם - 'el-kol-ha'gowyim):
  • 'el ('el): "to," "toward," "upon." Indicates the recipient or target of the action.
  • kol (כָּל - kol): "all," "every." Emphasizes totality.
  • ha'gowyim (הַגּוֹיִם - ha'gowyim): "the nations," "the peoples," "the Gentiles." Refers to non-Israelite peoples, here used in a universal sense for all gentile nations.
• that goeth not up (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יַעֲלֶה - 'ăšer lo'-ya'ăleh):
  • 'ăšer ('ăšer): "who," "which," "that." Relative pronoun introducing a clause.
  • lo' (לֹא - lo'): "not." Negation.
  • ya'ăleh (יַעֲלֶה - ya'ăleh): "will go up," "will ascend." Refers to the act of making a pilgrimage, specifically going up to Jerusalem, which was situated on higher ground. This was a command for the Feast of Tabernacles.
• to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת לַמֶּלֶךְ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - ləhištaḥăwo̠t-la-Melek-Yahweh-ṣəḇā'ōt):
  • ləhištaḥăwo̠t (לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת - ləhištaḥăwo̠t): "to bow down," "to prostrate oneself," "to worship." A deep act of reverence and submission. The infinitive Lamed (lə-) indicates purpose.
  • la-Melek (לַמֶּלֶךְ - la-Melek): "to the King." The definite article (ha-) and the preposition (lə-) attached to Melek ("king"). This is a royal title.
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה - Yahweh): The personal covenant name of God.
  • ṣəḇā'ōt (צְבָאוֹת - ṣəḇā'ōt): "of hosts," "of armies." Denotes God's power and authority over all celestial and earthly forces. Together, "Yahweh ṣəḇā'ōt" is "the LORD of hosts" or "the LORD Almighty."
• A plague (וּבֶהָרַת־־־ וּבְפֶצַע - uḇəhārûṯ/ləfəṣaʻ): The Hebrew term here is multifaceted. It suggests a disease, a striking, or a calamity. Different translations render it:
  • "Plague" (KJV, NKJV, NASB)
  • "Contagion" (NET Bible)
  • "Disease" (ESV)
  • The word carries the sense of a divinely inflicted illness or sickness as a form of punishment.
• shall be: The future tense verb indicating the certainty of the occurrence.
• the plague wherewith (אֲשֶׁר - 'ăšer): Connects the specific plague to the general statement of divine punishment.
• Egypt (מִצְרַיִם - Miṣrayim): The land of Egypt, referencing the historical plagues God sent upon it during the Exodus.
• smote (נָקַה - naqah / פָּגַע - paga' / הִכָּה - hikkh): The Hebrew for "smote" can vary, but the general concept is "to strike," "to plague," or "to punish." The context suggests a debilitating disease sent by God.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Upon every nation that goeth not up": This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive and specific nature of the divine judgment. It targets every single non-Israelite nation that fails in its covenant duty of pilgrimage worship, specifically to Jerusalem. The concept of "going up" is topographical and ritualistic, pointing to the prescribed worship at the appointed place.
• "To worship the King, the Lord of hosts": This phrase defines the ultimate purpose of the pilgrimage. It is not mere ritualistic observance but an act of profound submission and recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and kingship over all nations, even those outside the covenant. The combined titles "King" and "Lord of hosts" underscore His supreme authority and power.
• "A plague": This term signifies a divinely ordained affliction, particularly a widespread disease or pestilence. It’s not a natural outbreak but a targeted punitive measure, as evidenced by the reference to Egypt.
• "The plague wherewith Egypt was smitten": This simile draws a direct parallel to the ten plagues in Egypt during the Exodus. It implies that the punishment for neglecting the Feast of Tabernacles will be similarly severe and devastating, serving as a powerful warning and demonstration of God's judgment.

Zechariah 14 18 Bonus Section

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, had a significant eschatological dimension even in ancient times, looking forward to a time of universal blessing and God’s presence dwelling among His people. The NT fulfillment is seen in Jesus Himself becoming the tabernacle (tabernacled among us, John 1:14) and the promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers. Furthermore, in the vision of the New Jerusalem, there is no Temple in the traditional sense, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Rev 21:22), and all nations walk in its light and bring their glory to it. The absence of this specific feast in the description of New Jerusalem might seem to contradict this verse, but scholars understand it to mean that the spirit and purpose of the feast—God dwelling with His people and joyous praise—are fully realized and ongoing, making the literal observance redundant as God’s presence is pervasive. The consequence, however, in Zechariah, is for those who refuse to acknowledge God's rule and His chosen feast, a scenario distinct from the ultimate reality of New Jerusalem. This highlights a distinction between the transitionary phase where such conditional judgments might apply and the final state of blessedness for those in Christ.

Zechariah 14 18 Commentary

Zechariah 14:18 clearly delineates the severe repercussions for nations that fail to acknowledge and honor the Lord of hosts by participating in the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast, a critical element of Israel's covenantal worship, symbolized God's dwelling among His people and His provision. Its universal observance in this future prophecy underscores a transformed world order where all nations willingly submit to God's rule and celebrate His presence.

The reference to the plagues of Egypt serves as a potent reminder of God's power to judge and deliver. The penalty of plague for non-observance is not arbitrary; it's a consequence for rejecting God's designated way of worship and recognizing His sovereignty. It speaks to the seriousness with which God views His appointed feasts and the worship they represent.

This verse anticipates a time when allegiance to God is expressed not just through faith but through outward, communal worship that involves specific, commanded observances. The penalty highlights the comprehensive nature of God's future reign, extending to all aspects of human behavior, including participation in His divine appointed times. It warns against a superficial faith or a religion that ignores the tangible expressions of worship commanded by God.