King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:5 Mean?

Zechariah 14:5 in the King James Version says “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall f...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 14:5 · KJV

Context

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

7

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. it shall be: or, the day shall be one

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal—the newly-created valley (from verse 4's splitting) provides escape route for the besieged. The destination Atsel (אָצֵל, "Azal") is unknown geographically, mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. Some identify it with a place near Jerusalem; others see it as symbolic. The verb ve-nastem (וְנַסְתֶּם, "you shall flee") indicates urgent escape, God providing deliverance through geographic miracle.

"Yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah"—historical reference to seismic event during Uzziah's reign (circa 760 BC), mentioned only here and Amos 1:1 ("two years before the earthquake"). This earthquake was so catastrophic it remained in collective memory for centuries. Josephus (Antiquities IX.10.4) claims it occurred when Uzziah usurped priestly prerogatives (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), splitting the temple mount. Whether historically verifiable or not, the comparison indicates the coming splitting will evoke the same terror and urgency as that legendary quake.

"And the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee"—climactic declaration of Messiah's parousia. The sudden shift to second person ("with thee") suggests Zechariah addresses the pre-incarnate Christ or shifts to direct address of God. Qedoshim (קְדֹשִׁים, "saints/holy ones") refers to either angels (Deuteronomy 33:2, Jude 14) or glorified believers (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Revelation 19:14), likely both—Christ returns with heavenly armies.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Uzziah (Azariah) ruled Judah 792-740 BC, a prosperous period ended by his prideful presumption in entering the temple to burn incense, reserved for priests alone (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). God struck him with leprosy. The earthquake evidently occurred around this time, becoming proverbial for divine judgment. Amos, prophesying during Uzziah's reign, dated his ministry by it (Amos 1:1), indicating its significance. Zechariah uses this historical memory to help his audience grasp the coming cataclysm's magnitude. The saints accompanying Christ fulfills Daniel 7:13-14 (Son of Man coming with clouds) and Matthew 24:30-31 (angels gathering elect). Church age believers will return with Christ (Revelation 19:14), having been raptured earlier (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's provision of an escape route (the valley) demonstrate His care for His people even in apocalyptic judgment?
  2. What does the historical earthquake in Uzziah's reign teach about God judging presumption and pride, even in otherwise successful leaders?
  3. How should the promise that saints accompany Christ at His return shape your understanding of your future participation in His kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
נַסְתֶּם֙1 of 24

“And ye shall flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

גֵּי2 of 24

“for the valley”

H1516

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

הָרִים֮3 of 24

“of the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

כִּֽי4 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַגִּ֣יעַ5 of 24

“shall reach”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

גֵּי6 of 24

“for the valley”

H1516

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

הָרִים֮7 of 24

“of the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶל8 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָצַל֒9 of 24

“unto Azal”

H682

atsel, the name of a place in palestine

נַסְתֶּם֙10 of 24

“And ye shall flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר11 of 24
H834

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

נַסְתֶּם֙12 of 24

“And ye shall flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

מִפְּנֵ֣י13 of 24

“from 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

הָרַ֔עַשׁ14 of 24

“the earthquake”

H7494

vibration, bounding, uproar

בִּימֵ֖י15 of 24

“in the days”

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

עֻזִּיָּ֣ה16 of 24

“of Uzziah”

H5818

uzzijah, the name of five israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ17 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה18 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וּבָא֙19 of 24

“shall come”

H935

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

יְהוָ֣ה20 of 24

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהַ֔י21 of 24

“my God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כָּל22 of 24
H3605

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

קְדֹשִׁ֖ים23 of 24

“and all the saints”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

עִמָּֽךְ׃24 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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 14:5 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 14:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jude 1:14-15Amos 1:1Matthew 25:31Matthew 16:271 Thessalonians 3:13Isaiah 66:15-16

Places in This Verse

AzalRiver · Modern: Nahal Azal · 31.76°N, 35.23°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Zechariah 14 →

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