King James Version

What Does Zechariah 14:7 Mean?

Zechariah 14:7 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 14:7 · KJV

Context

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

8

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. former: or, eastern

9

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Read Zechariah 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night—this mysterious phrase describes a unique day outside normal temporal categories. The Hebrew yom echad (יוֹם אֶחָד) uses the same "echad" (one) as Genesis 1:5 ("one day") and Deuteronomy 6:4 ("the LORD is one"), suggesting unified, unique quality. "Known to the LORD" (yivvade l-Yahweh) indicates only God knows this day's timing (Matthew 24:36, "of that day and hour knoweth no man") and nature—it transcends human understanding of day/night cycles.

"Not day, nor night" (lo-yom ve-lo laylah) describes abnormal celestial conditions—neither full light nor complete darkness, continued from verse 6's ambiguity. Yet the promise resolves: "at evening time it shall be light" (le-et erev yihyeh or). When natural light should fade (evening), supernatural light appears. This reverses normal order, demonstrating God's control over creation. The light source isn't the sun but God Himself, anticipating Revelation 21:23: "the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

This "one day" marks transition from old creation to new. Isaiah 60:19-20 similarly prophesies: "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light." When Christ returns, He brings eternal day where there is no night (Revelation 22:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient peoples marked time by solar/lunar cycles—day and night, months and years. A day that is "neither day nor night" defies natural order, signaling new creation. This echoes Genesis 1:3-5 when God created light before creating sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-18)—demonstrating light's source is ultimately God Himself, not celestial bodies. Zechariah's post-exilic audience would connect this to Exodus 13:21-22's pillar of cloud and fire providing continuous guidance, and to God's glory filling the tabernacle/temple. The New Testament develops this: John 1:4-5 identifies Jesus as the true light, John 8:12 records Jesus declaring "I am the light of the world," and Revelation depicts eternal light from God's glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does a day "known to the LORD" alone teach about trusting God's timing rather than demanding to know prophetic schedules?
  2. How does the promise of light at evening time encourage believers facing darkness and despair that God will bring supernatural illumination?
  3. What does God being the direct light source (rather than sun/moon) reveal about the new creation's God-centered rather than creation-centered focus?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 15
H1961

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

י֣וֹם2 of 15

“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

אֶחָ֗ד3 of 15

“But it shall be one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

ה֛וּא4 of 15
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

יִוָּדַ֥ע5 of 15

“which shall be known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לַֽיהוָ֖ה6 of 15

“to the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹא7 of 15
H3808

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

י֣וֹם8 of 15

“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

וְלֹא9 of 15
H3808

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

לָ֑יְלָה10 of 15

“nor night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וְהָיָ֥ה11 of 15
H1961

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

לְעֵֽת12 of 15

“time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

עֶ֖רֶב13 of 15

“but it shall come to pass that at evening”

H6153

dusk

יִֽהְיֶה14 of 15
H1961

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

אֽוֹר׃15 of 15

“it shall be light”

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

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 14:7 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 14:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 22:51 Thessalonians 5:2Revelation 21:23Isaiah 30:26Daniel 12:4Mark 13:32

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