King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:12 Mean?

Zechariah 14:12 in the King James Version says “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their fles...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 14:12 · KJV

Context

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.

13

And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.

14

And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. Judah: or, thou also, O Judah shalt at: or, against

Read Zechariah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem (וְזֹאת תִּהְיֶה הַמַּגֵּפָה אֲשֶׁר יִגֹּף יְהוָה אֶת־כָּל־הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר צָבְאוּ עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָם)—magephah (plague/stroke) is divine judgment against nations besieging Jerusalem (described in 14:2-3). This is supernatural destruction, not conventional warfare. Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet—instant decomposition while still standing, horrifying imagery of divine wrath.

And their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth (וְעֵינָיו תִּמַּקְנָה בְחֹרֵיהֶן וּלְשׁוֹנוֹ תִּמַּק בְּפִיהֶם)—maqaq (rot/waste away) affects eyes and tongue specifically—perhaps organs of pride and blasphemy. This recalls Uzziah's instant leprosy for presumption (2 Chronicles 26:19) and Herod's death eaten by worms (Acts 12:23). Some see nuclear warfare imagery; others, direct divine judgment. Either way, this is God's terrifying response to those who attack His city and people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah 14:2-3 describes end-times siege when 'all nations' gather against Jerusalem. God intervenes supernaturally, destroying enemies with this plague while delivering Israel. This is parallel to Ezekiel 38-39 (Gog/Magog invasion) where God defends Israel with cosmic judgments. Fulfillment awaits the tribulation period before Christ's millennial reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this graphic judgment teach about God's fierce protection of His covenant people and purposes?
  2. How should understanding future divine wrath against God's enemies affect current evangelistic urgency?
  3. What does instant physical decay symbolize about the ultimate futility of opposing God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְזֹ֣את׀1 of 25
H2063

this (often used adverb)

תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה2 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה3 of 25

“And this shall be the plague”

H4046

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִגֹּ֤ף5 of 25

“will smite”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

יְהוָה֙6 of 25

“wherewith the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת7 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל8 of 25
H3605

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

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים9 of 25

“all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צָבְא֖וּ11 of 25

“that have fought”

H6633

to mass (an army or servants)

עַל12 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם13 of 25

“against Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

תִּמַּ֥ק14 of 25

“shall consume away”

H4743

to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish

בְּשָׂר֗וֹ15 of 25

“Their flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְהוּא֙16 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֹמֵ֣ד17 of 25

“while they stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל18 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רַגְלָ֔יו19 of 25

“upon their feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וְעֵינָיו֙20 of 25

“and their eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

תִּמַּ֥ק21 of 25

“shall consume away”

H4743

to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish

בְחֹֽרֵיהֶ֔ן22 of 25

“in their holes”

H2356

a cavity, socket, den

וּלְשׁוֹנ֖וֹ23 of 25

“and their tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

תִּמַּ֥ק24 of 25

“shall consume away”

H4743

to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish

בְּפִיהֶֽם׃25 of 25

“in their mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

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 14:12 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 14:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 66:15-16Ezekiel 39:17-20Micah 4:11-13Micah 7:16-17Psalms 110:5-6Zechariah 12:9

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Zechariah 14 →

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