Zechariah 14 20

Zechariah 14:20 kjv

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:20 nkjv

In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:20 niv

On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar.

Zechariah 14:20 esv

And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "Holy to the LORD." And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:20 nlt

On that day even the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with these words: HOLY TO THE LORD. And the cooking pots in the Temple of the LORD will be as sacred as the basins used beside the altar.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 20 Meaning

Zechariah 14:20 prophesies a profound transformation in a future, eschatological "Day of the Lord." It describes a world so thoroughly consecrated to God that even ordinary items, such as horse bells, will bear the inscription "Holy to the Lord"—a designation previously reserved for the High Priest's most sacred attire. Concurrently, mundane pots within God's Temple will attain the exalted status of the special sacrificial bowls used for holy rituals. This signifies an era of pervasive and universal holiness where the traditional distinctions between the sacred and the common are largely abolished, and every facet of life is entirely dedicated and set apart for the Lord.

Zechariah 14 20 Context

Zechariah 14 culminates the prophetic messages of the book, particularly the apocalyptic visions found in chapters 9-14. This chapter describes the decisive "Day of the Lord"—an eschatological event encompassing the final confrontation of nations against Jerusalem, God's intervention to deliver His people, cosmic and geographical transformations, and the ultimate establishment of His universal kingdom. The earlier verses of chapter 14 depict the suffering, deliverance, and restoration of Jerusalem. Verse 20 provides a powerful image of the spiritual state in this restored era. For the post-exilic audience, who were deeply concerned with ritual purity, the rebuilding of the temple, and their distinct identity from surrounding pagan cultures, this vision offered assurance of an ultimate, complete holiness that would transcend previous limitations and pervade every aspect of life in God's redeemed world.

Zechariah 14 20 Word analysis

• "In that day" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyom hahu): This recurring prophetic idiom signals a significant future time. It specifically refers to the "Day of the Lord," marking a divinely appointed eschatological era of ultimate judgment, transformation, and redemption as depicted throughout Zechariah 14 and other prophetic books.
• "there shall be inscribed" (יִהְיֶה עַל, yihyeh al): Literally "it shall be upon." This conveys a permanent and publicly displayed declaration. It indicates a fundamental and enduring spiritual reality rather than a superficial or temporary change.
• "on the bells of the horses" (מִצְלוֹת הַסּוּס, mitzloth hassus): Mitzloth refers to small, jingling bells or ornaments commonly placed on horses, often associated with daily travel, trade, or even military activity. These were ordinary, secular objects. Their inscription with a sacred phrase signifies that even the most mundane and common aspects of life, usually far removed from cultic purity, will be thoroughly consecrated.
• "'Holy to the Lord'" (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה, qodesh LaYahweh): This is a precise phrase directly quoting the inscription on the golden plate of the High Priest's turban (Exod 28:36). This plate symbolized the priest's responsibility for the holiness of Israel's offerings. Applying it to horse bells elevates common items to the highest spiritual purity, demonstrating a universal and pervasive sanctity in the future kingdom.
• "And the pots" (וְהָסִירֹת, wᵉhasiroth): Siroth denotes common cooking pots, even those found in the temple compound but used for everyday preparation, distinct from highly ceremonial vessels. These represent ordinary utility within sacred space.
• "in the house of the Lord" (בֵּית יְהוָה, bet Yahweh): Refers to the Temple, God's dwelling. Even within the temple, distinctions existed between degrees of holiness for vessels and areas.
• "shall be like" (יִהְיוּ כַּמִּזְרָקוֹת, yihyu kamizraqoth): This signifies an elevation of status and function. Common items will attain the sacredness and ritual significance previously reserved for specific liturgical objects.
• "the bowls before the altar" (לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, lifney hammizbeach): Mizraqoth are sacrificial bowls used for collecting and sprinkling blood or presenting offerings, critical for the most sacred Temple rituals (e.g., Exod 27:3; Num 7:13). Their proximity "before the altar" underscores their supreme holiness.

Words-group analysis

• "In that day... 'Holy to the Lord'": This phrase links the future eschatological era to the profound redefinition of holiness. The inscription previously designating the highest priestly purity on mundane items signifies an era of total and pervasive sanctification where nothing is profane.
• "the pots in the house of the Lord shall be like the bowls before the altar": This illustrates the internal sanctification within the temple context. It removes the hierarchical distinction between sacred and less sacred vessels, elevating even the most common implements used in God's service to the highest level of ritual purity. This shows God's full and complete appropriation and purification of all things.

Zechariah 14 20 Bonus section

• This ultimate vision of holiness surpasses the Old Testament Law's stringent categories of clean and unclean, sacred and profane. While the Law maintained distinctions, the eschatological age presented here suggests these boundaries are fundamentally transformed or transcended.
• The re-inscription of "Holy to the Lord" implies a divine reversal of defilement. Before Zechariah, sacred items could be desecrated (e.g., Dan 5:3, Belshazzar using temple vessels). This prophecy assures an era where such profanation is impossible, given the pervasive and intrinsic holiness.
• Some scholars interpret this hyperbole as stressing the quality of future devotion rather than a literal engraving on every horse bell. It is a profound theological statement that all human endeavors will be purified and directed towards God's glory.
• The horse in biblical times was often associated with warfare and human strength (e.g., Ps 20:7; Prov 21:31; Isa 31:1). Its bells bearing "Holy to the Lord" could signify that even military power and earthly might will ultimately be brought under God's dominion and sanctified for His righteous purposes.
• This verse contributes to a wider biblical theme where, in the eschatological future, creation itself is set free and participates in God's redemption (Rom 8:21). The transformation of common items underscores this cosmic restoration.

Zechariah 14 20 Commentary

Zechariah 14:20 paints a vibrant picture of total consecration in God's future kingdom. The phrase "Holy to the Lord," once uniquely on the High Priest's turban, epitomizes ultimate dedication and purity. Its application to horse bells, which are ordinary, often military or commercial accessories, powerfully illustrates that no aspect of life, no object, no activity—however common or secular—will remain outside the realm of God's hallowing presence. This signifies a universalization of holiness that transforms daily existence. Complementing this, the elevation of ordinary temple pots to the revered status of sacrificial bowls demonstrates a leveling-up of sanctity within the sanctuary itself. The once subtle distinctions between degrees of holiness will largely vanish, and everything within God's house and indeed, His creation, will participate in a unified, all-encompassing purity. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His ultimate purpose to redeem and sanctify all creation, abolishing the blight of sin and bringing everything into perfect alignment with His divine standard. It's a prophetic glimpse into an era where worship is not confined to sacred spaces or rituals but permeates all of life.