King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:13 Mean?

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 · King James Version

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

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָה֙
1 of 17
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
2 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
הַה֔וּא
3 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
תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה
4 of 17
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מְהֽוּמַת
5 of 17

“tumult”

H4103
confusion or uproar
יְהוָ֛ה
6 of 17

“from the LORD”

H3068
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רַבָּ֖ה
7 of 17

“that a great”

H7227
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
בָּהֶ֑ם
8 of 17
H0
וְהֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ
9 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
אִ֚ישׁ
10 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)
יַ֥ד
11 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)
וְעָלְתָ֥ה
13 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
יַ֥ד
14 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
עַל
15 of 17
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַ֥ד
16 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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