What does Zechariah 14:17 mean?
"And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain." - Zechariah 14:17
The verse Zechariah 14:17 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."
This verse comes from the Old Testament book of Zechariah, which is a prophetic book that spans the time of the Israelites' return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah was active in encouraging and guiding the people of Israel as they sought to reestablish their relationship with God and rebuild their society and religious practices.
In this particular verse, Zechariah is describing a time when all the families of the earth will come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, who is identified as the Lord of hosts. This vision is symbolic of a time of universal worship and submission to God. It speaks to the idea of the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His kingdom on earth.
One of the key themes present in this verse is the idea of universal worship and recognition of God's sovereignty. It speaks to the belief that all people, from every nation and family, will ultimately acknowledge and worship God as the one true King. This idea is found throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament prophecies and in the New Testament's vision of the Kingdom of God.
The imagery of "no rain" being upon those who do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King is also significant. In the ancient Near East, rain was a vital and highly valued resource for agriculture and survival. A lack of rain was often seen as a sign of God's judgment or punishment. In this context, the verse may be understood as indicating that those who do not worship the Lord will experience spiritual dryness and a lack of divine blessings.
The symbolism of Jerusalem as the focal point of worship and the gathering of all the families of the earth is also rich with meaning. Jerusalem holds great significance in the biblical narrative as the city chosen by God for His dwelling place and as the center of His redemptive work. The image of all people coming to Jerusalem to worship the King reflects the biblical understanding of Jerusalem as the city of peace and the ultimate destination for all who seek God.
In a broader sense, this verse also points to the universal nature of God's plan for salvation. It foreshadows the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all the nations of the earth through the line of Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and echoes the vision of a restored and unified humanity found in other prophetic passages in the Bible.
Contextually, Zechariah 14 is a chapter that describes the end times and the establishment of God's kingdom. It speaks of a day when God will be king over all the earth and when His name will be the only name. The chapter also foretells of a time of great change and upheaval, in which the Lord will fight against the nations and establish His reign.
In conclusion, the verse Zechariah 14:17 is a powerful and evocative depiction of the universal worship of God and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan. It speaks to the themes of universal recognition of God's sovereignty, the symbolism of Jerusalem as the center of divine worship, and the vision of a restored and unified humanity. As with many Old Testament prophecies, this verse points to the overarching narrative of God's redemptive work and His desire for all people to come to know and worship Him.
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Zechariah 14:17 - "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."
"And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain." - Zechariah 14:17
Zechariah 14:9
Zechariah 6:14 - "And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD."
Zechariah 12:14 - "All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart."
Zechariah 4:14 - "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Zechariah 14:6 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:"
Zechariah 14:14 - "And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance."
Zechariah 14:1 - "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee."
Zechariah 14:19 - "This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."
Zechariah 14:11 - "And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited."
Zechariah 14:15 - "And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague."
Zechariah 14:3 - "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle."
Zechariah 14:9 - "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."
Zechariah 11:14 - "Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel."
Zechariah 9:17 - "For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
Zechariah 8:17 - "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."
Zechariah 14:20 - "¶ 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."
1 Chronicles 26:14 - "And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward."
Zechariah 14:7 - "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."
2 Chronicles 17:7 - "¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
Zechariah 14:18 - "And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."
"All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart." - Zechariah 12:14
2 Chronicles 20:14 - "¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;"
Zechariah 8:14 - "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:"
Zechariah 9:14 - "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south."
"Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." - Zechariah 4:14
"And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD." - Zechariah 6:14
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:" - Zechariah 14:6
Zechariah 1:14 - "So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy."