Zechariah 14:8 kjv
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
Zechariah 14:8 nkjv
And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur.
Zechariah 14:8 niv
On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
Zechariah 14:8 esv
On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.
Zechariah 14:8 nlt
On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter.
Zechariah 14 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zec 14:8 | Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half toward the western sea; in summer and in winter it shall continue. | Ezek 47:1 (Similar flow) |
| Ezek 47:1-12 | Describes a river flowing from the Temple, bringing life and healing to the land and sea. | Fulfilment of theme |
| John 4:10 | Jesus offers "living water" – the Holy Spirit – to the Samaritan woman. | New Testament echo |
| John 7:37-38 | Jesus proclaims that whoever believes in Him will have rivers of living water flow from within. | Spiritual life/Holy Spirit |
| Rev 22:1-2 | A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. | Heavenly fulfillment |
| Rev 21:1 | A new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with His people. | New Creation |
| Isa 35:6-7 | Water shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert, turning barren land into pools. | Restoration theme |
| Joel 3:18 | On that day the mountains shall drip with new wine, and the hills with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD. | Messianic blessing |
| Ps 46:4 | There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. | Divine dwelling |
| Ps 36:8-9 | They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. | Source of life and light |
| Amos 9:13-14 | Days are coming when... new wine shall drip, and all the hills shall drip new wine. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel. | Restoration/Prosperity |
| Mal 3:1-3 | The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple... He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. | Purification/Coming Lord |
| Rev 7:16-17 | "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." | Lamb as shepherd |
| Zec 1:16 | "Therefore thus says the LORD, I will return to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts..." | God's return to Jerusalem |
| Zec 13:1 | "On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness." | Fountain for sin |
| Jer 31:9 | "...they shall come with weeping, and with consolations I will lead them back. I will lead them beside still waters in a straight way that they may not stumble..." | Divine guidance |
| John 1:4 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men. | Life and light |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | ...by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. | Unity in the Spirit |
| Rev 14:4 | These are those who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes... | Followers of the Lamb |
| Isa 60:19-20 | The sun shall be no longer your light by day, nor for the brightness of the night shall the moon give you light; but the LORD shall be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD shall be your everlasting light... | Eternal light and glory |
| Ezek 47:8-9 | Then he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when it flows into the sea, the waters of the sea shall become fresh. And wherever this river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, because these waters go there, that the seas may be healed, and wherever it comes a living thing sprouts up." | Healing of waters |
Zechariah 14 verses
Zechariah 14 8 Meaning
This verse describes a pivotal moment of divine provision and transformation, where living waters flow from Jerusalem, sustaining both the land and its inhabitants. These waters are life-giving and purifying, signifying a spiritual renewal and abundance that emanates from God’s presence in His redeemed city. The destination of these waters—the eastern and western seas—indicates the comprehensive and universal reach of this divine blessing.
Zechariah 14 8 Context
Zechariah 14 describes the triumphant return of the Lord to Jerusalem and the establishment of His kingdom. The preceding verses detail the battle against the nations and the Lord’s victory. This particular verse, chapter 14 verse 8, falls within the depiction of the blessings that will flow from the New Jerusalem. It outlines a transformation of the landscape and a renewal of life originating from God's presence. The immediate context emphasizes a time of unparalleled peace and divine habitation, contrasting sharply with the chaos of the nations' final battle. Historically, the prophecy addresses a people who have experienced exile and hardship, looking forward to a future restoration and a blessed covenant land, which will be fully realized in the messianic era.
Zechariah 14 8 Word Analysis
וְהָיָה (vehāyâ): "and it shall be" or "and it came to pass." This is a common conjunction and verb introducing a future event, indicating a continuity from the previous prophecy.
וּבַיּוֹם (ūḇayyōm): "and in the day." Specifies a particular time of fulfillment.
הַהוּא (hîhā'): "that." Refers back to the day previously mentioned in the chapter (the day of the Lord's return).
מַיִם (máyim): "waters." In biblical Hebrew, this often refers to life-giving streams or rivers, especially when used in prophetic contexts of blessing.
חַיִּים (ḥayyîm): "living" or "alive." This term emphasizes the vitality, dynamic nature, and life-sustaining quality of the waters.
יֵצְאוּ (yēṣə’û): "shall go out" or "shall flow." The verb signifies an active emanation or outpouring.
מִ (mi): "from." Indicates the source.
יְרוּשָׁלַֽם (Yerūšāláym): "Jerusalem." The focal point of divine presence and emanating blessing.
חֶצְיָם (ḥéṣyām): "half of them" or "a half." Refers to a division or proportion of the waters.
קֵדְמָה (qedmâ): "eastward" or "to the east." Designates the direction of one portion of the waters.
וְחֶצְיָם (wəḥéṣyām): "and half of them" or "and a half." The second portion.
יָֽמָּה (yâmâ): "westward" or "to the west." The direction of the second portion of the waters.
יָּם (yām): "sea." Specifically referring to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. The eastern "sea" likely refers to the Dead Sea, though its transformation would be part of the miraculous healing.
וּבַקַּיִץ (ūḇaqáyiṣ): "and in summer." Denotes the season of heat and often drought.
וּבַחוֹרֶף (ūḇaḥōreḇ): "and in winter." Denotes the season of rain and cold.
יִהְיֶה (yihyeh): "it shall be." The continuity and permanence of the flow.
Waters from Jerusalem: The outpouring is from Jerusalem, signifying God's renewed dwelling place and the source of His blessing and spiritual life.
Living Waters: This is not mere physical water but signifies spiritual vitality, purification, and life bestowed by God, a concept amplified in the New Testament with Jesus as the source of living water (John 4:10-14).
Eastern and Western Seas: This division highlights the comprehensive reach of God’s blessing, extending to all extremities of the land, symbolizing a global or at least a full regional impact of His redemptive work.
Summer and Winter: The declaration that the waters will flow in both summer and winter underscores the unceasing, perpetual nature of this divine provision, unaffected by climatic conditions, representing a constant spiritual abundance.
Zechariah 14 8 Bonus Section
The imagery of living waters flowing from Jerusalem is deeply rooted in the Old Testament concept of the city as the dwelling place of God and the source of His blessings (Ps 46:4). Scholars often interpret this passage as having a dual fulfillment: first in the post-exilic restoration and symbolically in the Church age, but ultimately in the final, perfect state of the New Jerusalem described in Revelation. The idea of "waters becoming fresh" (Ezek 47:8) as they enter the sea, symbolizing the purification and transformation of formerly barren or corrupted areas by God’s life-giving flow, is particularly powerful. This also connects to the healing power of the cross and the Holy Spirit, cleansing and revitalizing all who receive it. The enduring nature of these waters ("in summer and in winter") speaks to the permanence of God's covenant and the constant availability of His grace and salvation, a stark contrast to the cyclical nature of earthly provisions.
Zechariah 14 8 Commentary
Zechariah 14:8 paints a vivid picture of the Messianic age, where the restored Jerusalem becomes the epicenter of divine blessing. The "living waters" flowing out symbolize the Holy Spirit, who empowers, purifies, and sustains God's people, echoing the spiritual vitality Jesus promised (John 7:37-39). This continuous flow, unaffected by seasons, speaks to the unceasing grace and presence of God in His redeemed community. The waters reaching both the eastern and western seas signify the universal impact of Christ's reign, bringing life and healing to the ends of the earth, much like the river described in Ezekiel 47. This prophetic vision points towards a renewed creation where God's presence brings life and fruitfulness everywhere.