King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:10 Mean?

Zechariah 14:10 in the King James Version says “All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. turned: or, compassed inhabited: or, shall abide

Zechariah 14:10 · KJV


Context

8

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. former: or, eastern

9

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

10

All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. turned: or, compassed inhabited: or, shall abide

11

And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. shall be: or, shall abide

12

And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem (יִסּוֹב כָּל־הָאָרֶץ כָּעֲרָבָה מִגֶּבַע לְרִמּוֹן נֶגֶב יְרוּשָׁלִָם)—savav (turn/change) and aravah (plain/desert flatland) indicate topographical transformation. Geba (northern Judah, 6 miles north of Jerusalem) to Rimmon (southern Judah, 35 miles south) marks Judah's extent. This entire region will become flat plain. And it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place—while surrounding land flattens, Jerusalem will be rum (elevated), physically and spiritually exalted as world's worship center.

This fulfills Isaiah 2:2: "The mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills." Micah 4:1 parallels this prophecy. The geographical language describes millennial kingdom conditions when Christ reigns from Jerusalem. Some see literal topographical changes at Christ's return (verse 4 describes Mount of Olives splitting); others see symbolic exaltation of Jerusalem as worship center. Either way, the prophecy emphasizes Jerusalem's centrality in Messiah's kingdom.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written during humble post-exilic period when Jerusalem lay partially ruined, this prophecy assured future glory. Zechariah anticipates not just restoration to former status but unprecedented exaltation when Messiah establishes His throne in Jerusalem. This awaits fulfillment at Christ's second coming and millennial reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jerusalem's physical exaltation teach about God's purposes for the city and nation of Israel?
  2. How does understanding future restoration affect your reading of current Middle East conflicts?
  3. In what sense is Christ's kingdom already 'exalted' spiritually while awaiting physical fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
יִסּ֨וֹב1 of 25

shall be turned

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

כָּל2 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֤רֶץ3 of 25

All the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כָּעֲרָבָה֙4 of 25

as a plain

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

מִגֶּ֣בַע5 of 25

from Geba

H1387

geba, a place in palestine

לְרִמּ֔וֹן6 of 25

to Rimmon

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

נֶ֖גֶב7 of 25

south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם8 of 25

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְֽרָאֲמָה֩9 of 25

and it shall be lifted up

H7213

to rise

וְיָשְׁבָ֨ה10 of 25

and inhabited

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תַחְתֶּ֜יהָ11 of 25
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

שַׁ֣עַר12 of 25

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן13 of 25

in her place from Benjamin's

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

עַד14 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מְק֞וֹם15 of 25

unto the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

שַׁ֣עַר16 of 25

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙17 of 25

of the first

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

עַד18 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

שַׁ֣עַר19 of 25

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַפִּנִּ֔ים20 of 25

unto the corner

H6434

an angle (of a street or wall)

וּמִגְדַּ֣ל21 of 25

and from the tower

H4026

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

חֲנַנְאֵ֔ל22 of 25

of Hananeel

H2606

chananel, probably an israelite, from whom a tower of jerusalem was named

עַ֖ד23 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יִקְבֵ֥י24 of 25

winepresses

H3342

a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃25 of 25

unto the king's

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 14:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 14:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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