King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:13 Mean?

Zechariah 14:13 in the King James Version says “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 ev...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 14:13 · KJV

Context

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

15

And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.

Read Zechariah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them (וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא תִּהְיֶה מְהוּמַת־יְהוָה רַבָּה בָּהֶם)—mehumah (confusion/panic/tumult) is divine psychological warfare. God causes Israel's enemies to turn on each other. 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—mutual destruction, armies fighting each other rather than Israel.

This echoes Judges 7:22 (Gideon's victory: "The LORD set every man's sword against his fellow") and 2 Chronicles 20:23 (Jehoshaphat's victory: enemies "helped to destroy one another"). God repeatedly uses this tactic: when Israel is outnumbered, He causes enemy confusion resulting in self-destruction. Ezekiel 38:21 prophesies similarly: "Every man's sword shall be against his brother." This demonstrates that God doesn't need human strength to deliver His people; He can cause enemies to defeat themselves.

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Historical & Cultural Context

During end-times Armageddon scenario (Revelation 16:16), nations gather against Jerusalem. God intervenes with both supernatural plague (verse 12) and divinely-induced confusion causing mutual slaughter (verse 13). This accomplishes enemy destruction while demonstrating that salvation is from the Lord alone, not military prowess.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God causing enemy confusion teach about His sovereignty over human plans and warfare?
  2. How have you witnessed God 'confusing' opposition to accomplish His purposes in less dramatic ways?
  3. Why does God often deliver His people through enemy self-destruction rather than direct miraculous intervention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 17
H1961

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

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 17

“And it shall come to pass in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא3 of 17
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

תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה4 of 17
H1961

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

מְהֽוּמַת5 of 17

“tumult”

H4103

confusion or uproar

יְהוָ֛ה6 of 17

“from the LORD”

H3068

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

רַבָּ֖ה7 of 17

“that a great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

בָּהֶ֑ם8 of 17
H0
וְהֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ9 of 17

“shall be among them and they shall lay hold”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אִ֚ישׁ10 of 17

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יַ֥ד11 of 17

“against the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

רֵעֵֽהוּ׃12 of 17

“of his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְעָלְתָ֥ה13 of 17

“shall rise up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

יַ֥ד14 of 17

“against the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל15 of 17
H5921

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

יַ֥ד16 of 17

“against the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

רֵעֵֽהוּ׃17 of 17

“of his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

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 14:13 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 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 7:22Zechariah 12:4Ezekiel 38:211 Samuel 14:15-23Revelation 17:12-17Zechariah 11:6

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