Zechariah 14 6

Zechariah 14:6 kjv

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

Zechariah 14:6 nkjv

It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish.

Zechariah 14:6 niv

On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness.

Zechariah 14:6 esv

On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost.

Zechariah 14:6 nlt

On that day the sources of light will no longer shine,

Zechariah 14 verses

Zechariah 14 6 Meaning

Zechariah 14:6 declares a profound supernatural event during "that day"—a climactic future time of divine intervention. On this day, the natural order of light will be suspended; it will be neither brilliant and distinct nor completely dark. This unique and ambiguous lighting condition signifies an extraordinary alteration of creation, pointing to a moment when the normal patterns of life and visibility are fundamentally disrupted by God's direct and awe-inspiring presence, prior to the full establishment of His eternal reign.

Zechariah 14 6 Context

Zechariah chapter 14 describes the dramatic climax of "the day of the LORD" (verse 1), a future time of profound divine judgment and redemption centered on Jerusalem. This apocalyptic chapter begins with all nations gathered against Jerusalem for battle, only for the Lord Himself to descend, splitting the Mount of Olives and fighting for His people (verses 1-5). Verse 6 falls directly within the unfolding narrative of these climactic events. The cosmic disturbances described—an unprecedented disruption of normal light conditions—emphasize the extraordinary nature of this day. It is not just a battle, but a total overhaul of the physical and temporal environment, signalling God's direct, personal, and absolute intervention. Historically, for the post-exilic Jewish audience, it offered a vision of ultimate divine vindication and the future glory of God’s kingdom, sharply contrasting with the perceived weakness of their contemporary circumstances and standing in opposition to any pagan belief systems that attributed control over light and dark cycles to lesser deities.

Zechariah 14 6 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass: A common prophetic formula (וְהָיָה - ve-haya), signaling a divine decree and the certainty of a future event. It often introduces significant, divinely orchestrated occurrences.
• in that day: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (ba-yom ha-hu). This is an established eschatological marker throughout prophetic literature, indicating a specific, future period of unique divine action, distinct from ordinary time. It refers to the climactic "Day of the Lord."
• that the light: הָאוֹר (ha-or). Refers to natural, physical light, as opposed to spiritual light. Its specific state on this day is central to the prophecy.
• shall not be clear: לֹא יִהְיֶה יְקָרוֹת (lo yih-yeh yeqarot). The term יְקָרוֹת (yeqarot) means "precious," "heavy," or "glorious/brilliant." Here, in context of light, it denotes not being "shining," "distinct," or "bright." So, it won't be a day of clear, distinct daylight.
• nor dark: וּקְפָאוֹן (u-qepa'on). This word is unusual, sometimes translated as "congealed," "frozen," "thick mist," or "darkness/coldness." It's a hapax legomenon (appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible) in this specific form. Its ambiguity emphasizes an unquantifiable, supernatural condition – not total darkness that would prevent activity, nor clear light that enables normal perception. It’s an intermediate, perplexing state.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it shall come to pass in that day": This phrase underlines the divinely ordained and definite nature of the impending events. "That day" encapsulates a definitive time of ultimate judgment and sovereign display, serving as a pivot in world history.
• "that the light shall not be clear, nor dark": This describes a suspension of the normal daily cycle and cosmic order. It signifies an ambiguous, unique, and supernaturally ordained light condition, neither facilitating regular human activity by clear illumination nor plunging the world into total, enveloping darkness. It's a liminal state, defying normal earthly experiences and pointing to divine anomaly.

Zechariah 14 6 Bonus section

• Symbolic interpretations: Some interpretations suggest this ambiguous light might symbolize the spiritual uncertainty or distress experienced by the world, particularly the enemies of God, during this time of judgment. It hinders normal functioning and prevents hiding, creating a pervasive sense of divine presence without clarity.
• Contrast with ordinary and ultimate light: The unique light in verse 6 and the extended light in verse 7 act as an intermediary phase. This contrasts sharply with the world's natural cycle and anticipates the glorious, unceasing light of God's presence described in passages like Isa 60:19-20 and Rev 21:23-25, where the Lord Himself is the eternal source of light and there is no more night.
• Disruption of the Sun and Moon: While other prophecies speak of the sun and moon literally dimming or turning to blood (e.g., Joel 2:31), Zech 14:6 suggests a more direct and unusual modification of light's quality itself, independent of the celestial bodies functioning in their usual way. It emphasizes God's power over the fundamental properties of existence, not just their visibility.

Zechariah 14 6 Commentary

Zechariah 14:6 paints a picture of an utterly unprecedented day. The peculiar condition of light—neither clearly bright nor fully dark—is not just a weather anomaly but a deliberate divine disruption of cosmic order. It transcends mere sunrise or sunset, presenting a perpetual, ambiguous twilight or a unique kind of illuminated gloom. This supernatural state would cause disorientation and signifies God's absolute sovereignty over creation, bending nature to His will during the "Day of the Lord." This serves to highlight the magnitude of His intervention, disarming both physical and spiritual opposition. It's a transitional, mysterious illumination before the glorious truth revealed in the subsequent verse (v. 7), where it will be a "unique day... and there shall be light in the evening," culminating in the time when the Lord Himself becomes the full and abiding light, eliminating the need for natural luminaries in the new creation (Rev 21:23-25).