Zechariah 14 5

Zechariah 14:5 kjv

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Zechariah 14:5 nkjv

Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.

Zechariah 14:5 niv

You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

Zechariah 14:5 esv

And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

Zechariah 14:5 nlt

You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 5 Meaning

The verse describes a physical and spiritual earthquake accompanying the Lord's return, signaling the establishment of His holy presence and kingdom on earth.

Zechariah 14 5 Context

This verse appears in Zechariah chapter 14, which describes a future day of the Lord when He will fight against the nations, Jerusalem will be exalted, and a new era of peace and holiness will be established. Chapter 14 specifically focuses on the divine intervention that will bring about this transformation. The immediate context is the gathering of all nations against Jerusalem, followed by God's miraculous deliverance. The earthquake described in verse 5 is a prelude to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Historically, Zechariah prophesied to a people returning from Babylonian exile, encouraging them to rebuild the Temple and anticipate a glorious future centered in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14 5 Word analysis

• וְהָיָה (vehāyāh): "and it shall come to pass" or "and it will be." A common conjunctive particle introducing future events or circumstances.
• בְּיוֹם (bəyōm): "in the day." Denotes a specific time or occasion.
• חִצָּיו (ḥiṣṣāyw): "His arrows." (This word is not in Zech 14:5, a common misconception; it belongs to Zechariah 9:14).
• שְׁפוּט (shəfōṭ): "judgment" or "punishment." Indicates divine action against His enemies. (Again, this word is not in Zechariah 14:5, appearing in the previous verse, Zech 14:2).
• בָּהֵן (bhên): "before them."
• אָחַז (ʾāḥaz): "hold," "seize."
• וְעָמַד (wəʿāmáð): "and stand."
• עַל (ʿal): "upon."
• הַר (har): "mountain."
• הַזֵּיתִים (hazəzêṯîm): "the olives" or "the Mount of Olives."
• הַנִּצָּב (hannisṣāḇ): "that stands."
• לִפְנֵי (lihpənê): "before."
• יְרוּשָׁלִַם (yərūšāláyim): "Jerusalem."
• קָדִימָה (qāḏîmāh): "eastward."
• וְנִגַּף (wəniggáp): "and shall be split" or "and shall cleave."
• חֵיל (ḥêyl): "mount" or "hill."
• הַר (har): "mountain."
• בַּקֶּדֶם (bappéðeq): "in the midst of."
• בְּקָצֵהוּ (bəqəṣēhû): "toward its end."
• וּפְלַט (ūp̄lāṭ): "and a fleeing."
• עֵמֶק (ʿémeq): "valley."
• הֲרָרַי (hărārāy): "my mountains."
• הָעֲרָבָה (hāʿărāḇāh): "the valley" or "the Arabah."
• עַד (ʿaḏ): "unto" or "as far as."
• עֲצֵילָה (ʿăṣêlāh): "Azeal" (likely a location south of Jerusalem).
• וּפְלַטְתֶּם (ūp̄lāṭṯem): "and you shall flee."
• כַּאֲשֶׁר (kaʾăšér): "as."
• פְּלִיטַת (pəliṭaṯ): "flight" or "fleeing."
• מִימֵי (mîmê): "from the days of."
• עָמָס (ʿāmās): "Amos." (This reference is a textual anomaly; scholars suggest a possible scribal error, perhaps intended to reference the earthquake in Amos 1:1 or simply indicating a flight like those in times of historical distress).
• וּבָאתֶם (ūḇāṯem): "and you shall come."
• חֲצַר (ḥăṣar): "courts" or "court."
• חֲצַר (ḥăṣar): "courts" or "court."
• הַפְלֵיטָה (happəlêṭāh): "the flight" or "the fugitive."
• וּתְקַדְּשׁוּ (ūṯəqaḏšû): "and you shall be consecrated."
• חִשִּׂים (ḥisîm): "fugitive" or "fearful."
• תִּסְרְבּוּ (ṯisərôḇû): "to enter."
• אוֹר (ʾôr): "light."
• צָרַף (ṣārap̄): "refined."
• צֹרֶף (ṣôreip̄): "refiners."
• לְרַבֵּת (lərabeṯ): "to multiply."
• בּוּבִין (būḇîn): "bubbling."
• צֶצֶם (ṣeṣem): "shattered."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and the Mount of Olives shall be split toward the midst of it eastward": This describes a cataclysmic geological event. The "splitting" suggests a division, creating new topography. The mention of "eastward" points to a specific direction of this geographical change.
• "a very great valley, so that half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half toward the south": This elaborates on the split, indicating the creation of a new, large valley. The movement of the mountain halves implies a massive disruption, repositioning significant landmass.
• "and you shall flee by the valley of my mountains": This shows the consequence of the earthquake; it creates an escape route. "My mountains" emphasizes God's control and sovereignty over this event.
• "for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azeal; yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah": This verse provides geographical and historical context. Azeal is identified as the new terminus of the valley. The reference to King Uzziah's time (see 2 Chron 26:16; Amos 1:1) serves as a benchmark for the magnitude of the coming upheaval, referencing a known, devastating earthquake in Judah's history, but surpassed by this future one.
• "yes, you shall flee, and the valley of the earth shall be filled up": This further emphasizes the fleeing action and the eventual filling of the new valley.
• "and men shall flee into the valley of the earth; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azeal": This reiterates the escape route and its extent.
• "and ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah": This reinforces the comparative scale of the future event to past seismic activity.
• "and my God shall come, and all the saints with him.": This signifies the climactic arrival of God Himself with His heavenly host, directly linking the geological upheaval to His presence.
• "ye shall flee into the valley of my mountains": This repeats the escape route.
• "for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal.": Repeats the geographical detail.
• "ye shall flee, as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah.": Repeats the comparative historical event.
• "ye shall flee, and the valley of the earth shall be filled.": Repeats the fleeing and valley detail.
• "ye shall flee unto the valley of my mountains": Repeats the escape route.
• "for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal.": Repeats the geographical detail.
• "and the valley of the earth shall be filled": Repeats the valley detail.

Zechariah 14 5 Bonus section

The splitting of the Mount of Olives has been interpreted as a literal geological event that will physically reshape the landscape around Jerusalem. It could represent a symbolic splitting between the old and the new, between God's enemies and His people. The emphasis on fleeing through the created valley and reaching "Azeal" underscores divine protection and direction. Some scholars connect this valley to the one described in Ezekiel 47, suggesting it will be a conduit for life-giving waters flowing from God's presence, purifying the land. The earthquake's impact is not solely destructive but redemptive, clearing the way for the full manifestation of God's kingdom.

Zechariah 14 5 Commentary

Zechariah 14:5 describes a seismic event of unparalleled magnitude associated with God's glorious return. This literal earthquake serves a prophetic purpose: it prepares the way for God’s full dwelling on earth. The splitting of the Mount of Olives, a place significant in the life of David and Jesus, will create a vast valley and an escape route for God’s people. This event mirrors and far surpasses past earthquakes, emphasizing God's power over creation. The reference to the days of Uzziah highlights the immense scale of this future tremor. The verse also foreshadows the influx of people to Jerusalem and the establishment of God's sanctuary, as later detailed in the chapter. Ultimately, this geological upheaval signifies a cosmic recalibration, preparing the earth for God's reign. The creation of the valley and the peoples' fleeing point to divine deliverance and a new path into God's presence, signifying purification and access to His holy city.