King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:18 Mean?

Zechariah 14:18 in the King James Version says “And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD wil... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. that have no: Heb. upon whom there is not

Zechariah 14:18 · KJV


Context

16

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

17

And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

18

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. that have no: Heb. upon whom there is not

19

This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. punishment: or, sin

20

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. bells: or, bridles


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain—special mention of Egypt, representative of nations. Egypt's unique geography (dependent on Nile flooding, not rain) might suggest exemption from rain-based curse. The verse addresses this: there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles—even Egypt receives equivalent punishment (plague instead of drought), ensuring no nation escapes judgment for non-compliance.

Egypt symbolizes worldly power and historical oppressor of Israel (Exodus enslavement). That even Egypt must bow to Messiah demonstrates universal submission—no nation too powerful or distant to avoid accountability. Isaiah 19:18-25 prophesies Egypt's conversion: "In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt." Egypt transitions from enemy to worshiper, but still under obligation to annual pilgrimage like all nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt represents Gentile nations who must acknowledge Christ's kingship. The specific mention indicates that familiar nations (not just unknown peoples) will participate in millennial worship. This fulfills prophecies like Isaiah 19 where former enemies become worshipers. Egypt's unique agricultural system (Nile irrigation) doesn't exempt them—God will find appropriate means to enforce obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Egypt's inclusion teach about God's desire for even former enemies to worship Him?
  2. How does 'tailored judgment' (plague for Egypt vs. drought for others) demonstrate God's perfect justice?
  3. In what way does Egypt's conversion symbolize the gospel's power to transform God's enemies into worshipers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאִם1 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת2 of 23

And if the family

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

מִצְרַ֧יִם3 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לֹֽא4 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעֲל֔וּ5 of 23

go not up

H5927

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

וְלֹ֥א6 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בָאָ֖ה7 of 23

and come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְלֹ֣א8 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם9 of 23
H5921

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

תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה10 of 23
H1961

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

הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה11 of 23

not that have no rain there shall be the plague

H4046

a pestilence; by analogy, defeat

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 23
H834

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

יִגֹּ֤ף13 of 23

will smite

H5062

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

יְהוָה֙14 of 23

wherewith the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת15 of 23
H853

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

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם16 of 23

the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר֙17 of 23
H834

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

לֹ֣א18 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעֲל֔וּ19 of 23

go not up

H5927

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

לָחֹ֖ג20 of 23

to keep

H2287

properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy

אֶת21 of 23
H853

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

חַ֥ג22 of 23

the feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃23 of 23

of tabernacles

H5521

a hut or lair


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 14:18 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 14:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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