King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:21 Mean?

Zechariah 14:21 in the King James Version says “Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall com... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 14:21 · KJV


Context

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

21

Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts—extends beyond temple to every household pot. All cooking vessels throughout Jerusalem and Judah are holy, available for sacrificial use. And all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein—worshipers can use any pot for boiling sacrificial meat; all vessels are equally sanctified. And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה כְנַעֲנִי עוֹד בְּבֵית־יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא).

Kena'ani (Canaanite) can mean ethnic Canaanite or 'merchant/trader' (word overlap in Hebrew). Either reading works: (1) No idolaters polluting temple worship—absolute holiness maintained; (2) No commercial exploitation in God's house—echoing Jesus cleansing temple (John 2:16: "Make not my Father's house an house of merchandise"). Likely both meanings intended: no unbelievers defiling worship, no mercenary attitudes corrupting devotion. This is worship purity achieved—the consummation Zechariah's prophecy aimed toward throughout 14 chapters.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah's prophecy began with call to return and rebuild temple (chapters 1-8), progressed through Messiah's rejection and future sufferings (chapters 9-13), and culminates here with purified worship in Messiah's kingdom (chapter 14). The final verse encapsulates the goal: holiness permeating all life, worship free from corruption, Yahweh reigning from Jerusalem. This awaits Christ's return and millennial kingdom, ultimately fulfilled in New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does universal holiness (every pot sacred) teach about God's goal to consecrate all creation to His glory?
  2. How does 'no more Canaanite/merchant' challenge commercialization and exploitation in modern worship contexts?
  3. In what way does this final verse summarize Zechariah's entire prophetic vision and God's redemptive purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְ֠הָיָה1 of 24
H1961

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

כָּל2 of 24
H3605

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

סִ֨יר3 of 24

Yea every pot

H5518

a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook

בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם4 of 24

in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וּבִֽיהוּדָ֗ה5 of 24

and in Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

קֹ֚דֶשׁ6 of 24

shall be holiness

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יְהוָ֥ה7 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת8 of 24

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וּבָ֙אוּ֙9 of 24

shall come

H935

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

כָּל10 of 24
H3605

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

הַזֹּ֣בְחִ֔ים11 of 24

and all they that sacrifice

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

וְלָקְח֥וּ12 of 24

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֵהֶ֖ם13 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וּבִשְּׁל֣וּ14 of 24

of them and seethe

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

בָהֶ֑ם15 of 24
H0
וְלֹא16 of 24
H3808

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

יִהְיֶ֨ה17 of 24
H1961

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

כְנַעֲנִ֥י18 of 24

there shall be no more the Canaanite

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

ע֛וֹד19 of 24
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּבֵית20 of 24

in the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֥ה21 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת22 of 24

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בַּיּ֥וֹם23 of 24

therein and 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

הַהֽוּא׃24 of 24
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


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 14:21 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 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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