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 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 28:36 | "And you shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, 'HOLY TO THE LORD.'" | Priesthood and Holiness |
| Leviticus 27:30 | "Every devoted thing in Israel is the Lord's." | Devotion to God |
| 1 Samuel 14:23 | "For the LORD had brought confusion on the Philistines that day." | Divine Intervention |
| Psalm 22:28 | "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you." | Universal Worship |
| Psalm 96:9 | "Worship the LORD in holy attire; tremble before him, all the earth." | Holy Worship |
| Psalm 145:21 | "My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." | Praise and Holiness |
| Isaiah 4:3 | "And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem," | Remnant Holiness |
| Isaiah 23:18 | "Her wages and her〔a〕 harlotry will be put into a separate place; it will not be stored or accumulated, for her wages will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat their fill and wear good clothing." | Sacred Commerce |
| Isaiah 35:8 | "And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it." | The Way of Holiness |
| Isaiah 60:21 | "Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." | Righteousness and Glory |
| Jeremiah 31:33 | "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." | New Covenant |
| Hosea 2:16 | "And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’" | Renamed devotion |
| Joel 3:17 | "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy; and strangers shall never again pass through her." | Holy City |
| Micah 4:13 | "Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn of iron, and I will make your hoofs of bronze. You shall beat in pieces many peoples, and shall devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth." | Devotion of Spoils |
| Zechariah 8:20-23 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples and inhabitants of many cities shall yet come, and the inhabitants of one shall say to another, 'Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will go also.' Many peoples and mighty nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the tongues of all nations shall grasp at the lapel of one Jew, saying, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" | Nations seeking God |
| Matthew 5:16 | "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven." | Glorifying God |
| 1 Corinthians 1:2 | "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:" | Sanctification |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | "or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own," | Temple of the Spirit |
| 1 Peter 2:5 | "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." | Spiritual Priesthood |
| Revelation 14:5 | "and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless before the throne of God." | Blamelessness |
| Revelation 21:27 | "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life." | New Jerusalem |
Zechariah 14 verses
Zechariah 14 20 Meaning
In that day, holiness will be inscribed on the horse’s bridles. It will be a time when all distinctions of common and sacred are eliminated. Everything, even the most mundane objects, will be dedicated to the LORD, reflecting a total transformation and a perpetual state of devotion.
Zechariah 14 20 Context
Zechariah chapter 14 describes the future eschatological events surrounding the return of the LORD to Jerusalem. It portrays a final confrontation and a triumphant victory for God. The chapter culminates in the establishment of a new era where Jerusalem is sanctified and becomes the central place of worship for all nations. Verse 20 serves as a concluding declaration, emphasizing the pervasive holiness that will characterize this new kingdom. It highlights the transformation of the ordinary into the sacred, signifying a complete and eternal devotion to God. This vision is rooted in the prophetic tradition that spoke of a redeemed people living in perpetual fellowship with God in a purified land.
Zechariah 14 20 Word analysis
בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (bayyom hahūʾ):
בַּיּוֹם(bayyom): "in the day."הַהוּא(hahūʾ): "that." Together, "in that day." This phrase is a common prophetic idiom, pointing to a future, decisive time of divine action and revelation.
בְּלִיּוּטֵי (beliūṭei): This is a less common word.
- Likely derived from
בָּלַע(balaq) meaning "to swallow" or "to consume." - Some translations and scholars suggest "bells" or "reins" or "ornaments." The connection to "bridles" is a common interpretation based on the context of horse accouterments. The concept implies something attached to the horse, possibly a decoration or a functional piece.
- The sense could be that the very act of controlling the horse is sanctified.
- Likely derived from
הַסּוּס (hasūs):
הַ(ha): the definite article "the."סוּס(sus): "horse." In biblical prophecy, horses can symbolize power, warfare, or chariots. Here, even the equipment associated with horses is holy.
קֹדֶשׁ (qōdeš): "holy," "sacred," "set apart." This is a central concept in the Bible, denoting that which belongs to God or is consecrated for His use and glory.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "In that day": Points to a future, ultimate fulfillment of God's plan, the Messianic Age, or the New Heavens and New Earth. It is a time of radical transformation.
- "Holiness to the LORD": This is a direct echo of the inscription on the High Priest's turban (Exodus 28:36). In this future day, this holiness will be ubiquitous, not just on religious artifacts or persons but on common objects.
- "On the bridles of the horses": The juxtaposition of the sacred inscription ("holiness") with a part of a horse's equipment signifies that everything, even items associated with worldly power or travel, will be consecrated to God. It represents a reversal of anything potentially used for unholy purposes, now wholly dedicated to divine service or recognized as belonging to the LORD.
Zechariah 14 20 Bonus section
The inscription "HOLY TO THE LORD" was physically on the turban of the High Priest during his service in the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 28:36). Zechariah's prophecy extends this singular consecration to all aspects of life, implying that every believer, in the fullest sense, will be priests ministering to the Lord, and all their possessions and activities will be likewise consecrated. The idea of horse's bridles having inscriptions of holiness suggests that even the means of travel, power, and potentially conquest will be reoriented and dedicated to God's peaceful purposes. It reflects a fulfillment of prophecies where nations will beat their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3), signifying the end of warfare and the universal reign of peace under God. The word for "bridles" (בְּלִיּוּטֵי - beliūṭei) itself is rare, possibly related to metal fittings or even ornaments, adding to the imagery of widespread adornment with holiness. This verse points to a transformed world where every object, like every person, testifies to God's ownership and holiness.
Zechariah 14 20 Commentary
Zechariah 14:20 presents a vivid image of total sanctification in the messianic age. The "bridles of the horses" represent ordinary, functional objects that are typically associated with human enterprise, even warfare. The declaration that "holiness to the LORD" will be inscribed upon them signifies that in God's perfected kingdom, all aspects of life and all created things will be acknowledged as belonging to Him and dedicated to His glory. This verse illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's redemption, transforming not just people but the entire created order. It speaks of an era where the distinction between the sacred and the secular is abolished because all is sacred, imbued with God's presence and purpose. This ultimate state of holiness reflects the New Covenant promise where God's law is written on the hearts of His people, leading to a life of willing obedience and devotion.