Zechariah 14 4

Zechariah 14:4 kjv

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:4 nkjv

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:4 niv

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

Zechariah 14:4 esv

On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.

Zechariah 14:4 nlt

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 4 Meaning

Zechariah 14:4 is a prophecy describing a literal and dramatic geological event that will occur in Jerusalem during the "Day of the Lord." It foretells the physical return of the Messiah, whose feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, causing the mountain to split in two from east to west. This will create a vast valley, with half the mountain moving north and the other half moving south. This unprecedented geographical change will serve as a means of escape or a transformed landscape for God's people during a time of great tribulation and divine judgment.

Zechariah 14 4 Context

Zechariah chapter 14 describes the climatic "Day of the Lord" when God will directly intervene in human history to judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom centered in Jerusalem. The chapter opens with Jerusalem being attacked and partially captured by all nations. This verse occurs in the midst of this dire situation, marking the precise moment of divine deliverance. It signifies the physical return of the Messiah to the earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives. This location holds particular significance as it was from here that Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-12), and angels prophesied His return "in the same way." The ensuing geological upheaval – the splitting of the mountain – serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates God's absolute power over creation, provides a literal path of escape or refuge for the remaining Jewish people, and sets the stage for a transformed Jerusalem and the millennial reign of Christ, from which "living waters" will flow. Historically and culturally, mountains in the ancient Near East often symbolized strength, stability, and even the presence of deities. The dramatic altering of a prominent mountain like Olivet signifies a monumental shift ordained by the one true God, contrasting with impotent pagan gods.

Zechariah 14 4 Word analysis

• And His feet will stand (וְעָמְדוּ רַגְלָיו - ve'amdu raglav): The conjunction "and" links this action to the "day of the Lord" in the preceding verses. "His feet" directly indicates a physical, bodily presence. This signifies a personal and visible return, distinct from a spiritual presence, echoing the prophecy of His literal return from the same location (Acts 1:11).
• on the Mount of Olives (עַל־הַר הַזֵּיתִים - al-har ha-zeitim): This specific geographical location is highly significant. Known for olive trees, it is an actual mountain directly east of Jerusalem. It was the location of Gethsemane, Jesus' ascension (Acts 1), and where Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24). Its choice emphasizes the literal nature of the prophecy and continuity with Christ's first advent and departure.
• which is before Jerusalem on the east (אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם מִקֶּדֶם - asher al-p'nei Yerushalayim mikedem): This further identifies the exact Mount of Olives, leaving no ambiguity. "On the east" is critical, tying into theological concepts like the glory of the Lord departing eastward (Ezek 10-11) and returning from the east (Ezek 43:1-4).
• And the Mount of Olives will be split in two (וְנִבְקַע הַר הַזֵּיתִים חֶצְיוֹ - v'nivka har ha-zeitim chetsyo): The Hebrew verb nivka (ניבקע) means "to be split, cleave, torn apart." It denotes a violent, divinely caused rupture. This isn't a gentle crack but a decisive division. "In two" ("its half") emphasizes a complete bisection.
• from east to west (לְקֶדֶם וָיָם - l'kedem vayam): This indicates the precise orientation of the split, perpendicular to Jerusalem, running directly from the city towards the Jordan Valley. This creates a clear north-south division.
• by a very large valley (גֵּיא גְדֹלָה מְאֹד - gei gedolah me'od): A "valley" (gei) refers to a deep ravine or chasm. "Very large" (gedolah me'od) emphasizes the immense scale of this newly formed topographical feature, implying it is not just a fissure but a substantial and functional passage or land formation.
• so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south: This consequence clarifies the action: the two resulting halves of the Mount of Olives will literally separate, creating the "very large valley" between them. This confirms a dramatic, cataclysmic geological reshaping of the landscape around Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14 4 Bonus section

The geographical upheaval on the Mount of Olives also serves a symbolic purpose in relation to the temple. With a vast valley separating the temple mount from the rest of the land, it elevates the temple further, signifying its renewed centrality in the coming age. Furthermore, some interpretations suggest this valley might also align with prophecies of a river flowing from Jerusalem during the millennial kingdom, requiring a particular topographical structure for such an event. The Mount of Olives is frequently mentioned in Jewish tradition as the place where the resurrection of the dead will begin during the Messianic era. The splitting of the mountain can also be seen as a fulfillment or parallel to various other instances of God supernaturally altering physical creation for His redemptive purposes, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the Jordan River. This dramatic event signifies a new spiritual and physical era inaugurated by the returning King Messiah.

Zechariah 14 4 Commentary

Zechariah 14:4 describes a pivotal event in biblical prophecy: the literal, physical return of Jesus Christ to earth at the climax of the Day of the Lord. His standing on the Mount of Olives is not a symbolic act but a visible, bodily advent, precisely at the place of His ascension. This divine appearance triggers an earth-shaking, miraculous geological alteration, where the mountain is literally cleaved apart from east to west, forming a massive new valley. This valley is often interpreted as a "way of escape" for the faithful remnant in Jerusalem who are under siege (Zech 14:5), allowing them refuge from the approaching armies and God's judgment.

The event showcases God's sovereign power over creation and His direct intervention in the final phase of history. It foreshadows a transformed physical landscape that will support the coming millennial kingdom, potentially enabling the "living waters" to flow from Jerusalem (Zech 14:8, Ezek 47:1). This verse underlines the literal nature of eschatological prophecy, providing concrete details about the timing, location, and consequences of Christ's return, leaving no room for solely spiritual or allegorical interpretations of these specific elements. It promises divine judgment upon God's enemies and ultimate deliverance and reign for His people.