King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:2 Mean?

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the w... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished ; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”

Zechariah 14:2 · King James Version

Context

1

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

2

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished ; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3

Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

4

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Read Zechariah 14 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle—God Himself (asaphti, אָסַפְתִּי, "I will gather") orchestrates this climactic conflict. The phrase "all nations" (kol-goyim, כָּל־גּוֹיִם) indicates universal opposition to God's holy city, fulfilling patterns seen in Psalms 2:1-3 where nations rage against the LORD and His anointed. This isn't random geopolitics but divinely appointed confrontation forcing final resolution between God's kingdom and rebellious humanity.

The horror intensifies: "the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished"—graphic depiction of conquest's brutality using standard ancient Near Eastern warfare terminology. The Hebrew ve-nishsheqah (וְנִשְּׁגָּלוּ, ravished) describes sexual violence accompanying military defeat. "Half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city"—precise division showing measured judgment. God permits devastation but preserves a remnant, echoing Isaiah's stump theology (Isaiah 6:13) and Paul's remnant doctrine (Romans 11:5).

This darkest-before-dawn scenario sets up verses 3-4's divine intervention. God allows His enemies their moment of seeming victory to magnify His deliverance and demonstrate that salvation comes solely through His intervention, not human strength. The remnant preserved through tribulation becomes the saved community welcoming Messiah's return.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy has seen partial fulfillments throughout history. Babylon's 586 BC conquest, Antiochus Epiphanes' 168 BC defilement, Rome's 70 AD destruction, and Bar Kokhba revolt's 135 AD aftermath all witnessed nations attacking Jerusalem, houses plundered, populations deported. Yet none exhausted the prophecy's scope—"all nations" indicates more comprehensive gathering than any historical event. Zechariah 12:3 and 14:2 together describe Jerusalem as "burdensome stone" provoking all nations, fulfilled partially in Israel's modern conflicts but ultimately awaiting eschatological culmination. Revelation 16:16 and 19:19 describe this final gathering at Armageddon, while Revelation 11:2 specifies Jerusalem trampled by Gentiles before deliverance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over even hostile nations gathering against Jerusalem demonstrate His control over history's culmination?
  2. What does the preservation of a remnant through extreme tribulation teach about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?
  3. How should Christians respond to modern conflicts involving Jerusalem in light of this eschatological vision?
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 · 23 words
וְאָסַפְתִּ֨י
1 of 23

“For I will gather”

H622
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אֶת
2 of 23
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
3 of 23
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֥ם׀
4 of 23

“all nations”

H1471
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶֽל
5 of 23
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְרוּשָׁלִַם֮
6 of 23

“against Jerusalem”

H3389
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לַמִּלְחָמָה֒
7 of 23

“to battle”

H4421
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְנִלְכְּדָ֣ה
8 of 23

“shall be taken”

H3920
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
הָעִֽיר׃
9 of 23

“and the city”

H5892
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְנָשַׁ֙סּוּ֙
10 of 23

“rifled”

H8155
to plunder
הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים
11 of 23

“and the houses”

H1004
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים
12 of 23

“and the women”

H802
a woman
תִּשָּׁגַ֑לְנָה
13 of 23
H7693
to copulate with
וְיָצָ֞א
14 of 23

“shall go forth”

H3318
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
חֲצִ֤י
15 of 23

“and half”

H2677
the half or middle
הָעִֽיר׃
16 of 23

“and the city”

H5892
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בַּגּוֹלָ֔ה
17 of 23

“into captivity”

H1473
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
וְיֶ֣תֶר
18 of 23

“and the residue”

H3499
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
הָעָ֔ם
19 of 23

“of the people”

H5971
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹ֥א
20 of 23
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּרֵ֖ת
21 of 23

“shall not be cut off”

H3772
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מִן
22 of 23
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעִֽיר׃
23 of 23

“and the city”

H5892
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

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 14:2 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 14:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 21:20-24Romans 9:27-29Isaiah 13:16Matthew 24:19-22Mark 13:14Matthew 24:15-16

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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