King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:4 Mean?

Zechariah 14:4 in the King James Version says “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of O... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Zechariah 14:4 · KJV


Context

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.

5

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. the mountains: or, my mountains for the: or, when he shall touch the valley of the mountains to the place he separated

6

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark : that the: that is, it shall not be clear in some places, and dark in other places of the world clear: Heb. precious dark: Heb. thickness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east—this is Scripture's most geographically specific prophecy of Christ's return. The Hebrew ve-amdu raglav (וְעָמְדוּ רַגְלָיו, "his feet shall stand") indicates bodily, physical presence, not mere spiritual manifestation. The Mount of Olives was Jesus's frequent retreat during His earthly ministry (Luke 21:37), the site of His agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36), and the place of His ascension (Acts 1:9-12). Acts 1:11 promises He will return "in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven"—from the Mount of Olives He ascended; to the Mount of Olives He will return.

"The mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west"—unprecedented geological cataclysm at Messiah's touch. The verb niv-qe'ah (נִבְקְעָה, "shall split") describes violent tearing apart, creating "a very great valley" (gey gedolah me'od). Half the mountain moves north, half south, creating an east-west valley for escape (verse 5). This recalls Moses striking the rock for water (Exodus 17:6) and the Red Sea parting (Exodus 14:21-22)—God's power manifested through physical creation responding to His presence.

This cosmic upheaval signals new creation. When Christ first came, creation groaned (Romans 8:22); when He returns, creation is liberated (Romans 8:21). The splitting mountain demonstrates that Christ's kingdom isn't merely spiritual but encompasses physical reality—He makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Mount of Olives rises east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley, approximately 2,700 feet elevation. It was historically significant: David fled over it weeping when Absalom rebelled (2 Samuel 15:30), Solomon built high places for foreign gods there (1 Kings 11:7), and Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse there (Matthew 24). Jewish tradition expected Messiah to appear on the Mount of Olives, based on this Zechariah prophecy. The geographical specificity eliminates spiritualizing interpretations—this is literal, physical return to a specific location. Geologists note the Mount of Olives sits on a major fault line, making the prophecy geologically plausible as well as theologically certain.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the specificity of Christ's return to the Mount of Olives teach about the physical, bodily nature of the second advent?
  2. How does creation's response to Christ's presence (mountains splitting) demonstrate His lordship over all physical reality, not merely spiritual realms?
  3. What significance does Jesus's ascension from and return to the same location hold for understanding redemptive history's continuity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְעָמְד֣וּ1 of 27

shall stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

רַגְלָ֣יו2 of 27

And his feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

בַּיּוֹם3 of 27

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

הַ֠הוּא4 of 27
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

עַל5 of 27
H5921

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

הָהָ֛ר6 of 27

and the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַזֵּיתִ֤ים7 of 27

of Olives

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 27
H834

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

עַל9 of 27
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֥י10 of 27

which is before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְרוּשָׁלִַם֮11 of 27

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מִקֶּדֶם֒12 of 27

on the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וְנִבְקַע֩13 of 27

shall cleave

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

הָהָ֛ר14 of 27

and the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַזֵּיתִ֤ים15 of 27

of Olives

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

וְחֶצְיוֹ16 of 27

and half

H2677

the half or middle

מִזְרָ֣חָה17 of 27

thereof toward the east

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

וָיָ֔מָּה18 of 27

and toward the west

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

גֵּ֖יא19 of 27

valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

גְּדוֹלָ֣ה20 of 27

great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מְאֹ֑ד21 of 27

and there shall be a very

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וּמָ֨שׁ22 of 27

shall remove

H4185

to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)

וְחֶצְיוֹ23 of 27

and half

H2677

the half or middle

הָהָ֛ר24 of 27

and the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צָפ֖וֹנָה25 of 27

toward the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְחֶצְיוֹ26 of 27

and half

H2677

the half or middle

נֶֽגְבָּה׃27 of 27

of it toward the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)


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 14:4 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 14:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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