King James Version

What Does Zechariah 8:21 Mean?

Zechariah 8:21 in the King James Version says “And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. speedily: or, continually: Heb. going to pray: Heb. to intreat the face of”

Zechariah 8:21 · KJV

Prayer

Context

19

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. feasts: or, solemn, or, set times

20

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:

21

And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. speedily: or, continually: Heb. going to pray: Heb. to intreat the face of

22

Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. to pray: Heb. to intreat the face of

23

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew , saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Read Zechariah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. This verse depicts the contagious nature of the pilgrimage described in verse 20. The phrase "the inhabitants of one city shall go to another" (ve-halku yoshvei achat el-achat, וְהָלְכוּ יֹשְׁבֵי אַחַת אֶל־אַחַת) shows horizontal spread—people urging one another to seek the LORD. This isn't top-down decree but grassroots movement, neighbor inviting neighbor, city encouraging city.

The urgent invitation "Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD" (nelkhah halokh le-chalot et-pnei Yahweh, נֵלְכָה הָלוֹךְ לְחַלּוֹת אֶת־פְּנֵי יְהוָה) uses emphatic construction: halokh (הָלוֹךְ, infinitive absolute) intensifies nelkhah (נֵלְכָה, let us go)—"let us go urgently/speedily/earnestly." The verb chalah (חָלָה, "entreat," "seek favor," "pray") means to soften someone's face, to seek favor humbly. The phrase "pray before the LORD" literally means "entreat the face of the LORD"—seeking His presence and favor.

The parallel phrase "and to seek the LORD of hosts" (u-levaqesh et-Yahweh Tzeva'ot, וּלְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) employs baqash (בָּקַשׁ), meaning to search for, inquire of, seek diligently. Combined with "LORD of hosts," this emphasizes seeking the sovereign, powerful God—not a tribal deity but the universal ruler. The personal commitment "I will go also" (elkhah gam-ani, אֵלְכָה גַם־אָנִי) shows individual response to corporate invitation—each person joins the movement personally. This models evangelistic witness: believers enthusiastically invite others and personally commit to seek God themselves.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This depicts a reversal of Israel's historical experience. Rather than nations invading Jerusalem to destroy (as Babylon did), they come to worship. Rather than Jews fleeing in exile, Gentiles eagerly pilgrimage to Zion. The urgency and mutual encouragement contrasts with Israel's frequent stubbornness—they often refused God's invitations despite prophetic pleading. Now Gentiles respond more eagerly than ethnic Israel often did (a theme Jesus highlights in Matthew 8:10-12).

The early church experienced this dynamic. At Pentecost, people urgently asked "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37), and converts spread the gospel enthusiastically (Acts 8:4). The Thessalonians' faith was "proclaimed in every place" (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Paul describes how converts reported "what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9)—one group telling another, spreading the gospel virally.

The vision ultimately points to the eschaton when redeemed humanity corporately worships the Lamb (Revelation 5:9-14, 7:9-10). The pilgrimage motif appears throughout Scripture—Abraham journeying to the promised land (Hebrews 11:8-10), Israel traveling to Jerusalem for feasts (Psalm 122), believers as pilgrims and exiles seeking a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:13-16, 1 Peter 2:11). The Christian life is pilgrimage toward the New Jerusalem where we will worship God eternally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contagious enthusiasm of these pilgrims challenge or encourage your own witness for Christ?
  2. What would it look like for believers today to 'go speedily' to seek the LORD—to pursue Him with urgent, wholehearted devotion?
  3. In what ways can the church foster the mutual encouragement depicted here—believers stirring one another up to seek God?
  4. How does your personal commitment ('I will go also') align with corporate invitations to worship and seek the LORD?
  5. What obstacles prevent people in your context from responding eagerly to invitations to know God, and how can these be addressed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אֵלְכָ֖ה1 of 19

“city shall go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֩2 of 19

“And the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אַחַ֜ת3 of 19

“of one”

H259

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

אֶל4 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחַ֜ת5 of 19

“of one”

H259

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

לֵאמֹ֗ר6 of 19

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלְכָ֖ה7 of 19

“city shall go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֵלְכָ֖ה8 of 19

“city shall go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְחַלּוֹת֙9 of 19

“to pray”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

אֶת10 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵ֣י11 of 19

“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

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וּלְבַקֵּ֖שׁ13 of 19

“and to seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת14 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה15 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֑וֹת16 of 19

“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

אֵלְכָ֖ה17 of 19

“city shall go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

גַּם18 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אָֽנִי׃19 of 19
H589

i

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 8:21 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 8:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 7:2Psalms 146:1-2Hosea 6:3Psalms 122:1-9Psalms 103:22

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Zechariah 8 →

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