Zechariah 12:14

KJV

All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the families {H4940} that remain {H7604}, every family {H4940} apart, and their wives {H802} apart.

Complete Jewish Bible

all the remaining families, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

and all the remaining clans and their wives.

American Standard Version

all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 12:14 concludes a profound prophetic section, emphasizing the deeply personal and pervasive nature of the national mourning described in the preceding verses. It portrays a future spiritual awakening for Israel, where every family and even individuals within those families will experience a profound, private sorrow and repentance, signifying a genuine, internal recognition of their past rejection of the Messiah and a turning back to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 12:14 serves as the culmination of a powerful prophetic vision concerning Jerusalem's ultimate deliverance and spiritual transformation. It immediately follows the dramatic prophecy in [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One and the Spirit of Grace"), where the Lord declares He will pour out "the spirit of grace and of supplications" upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This outpouring leads them to "look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Verses [Zechariah 12:11-13](/zechariah/12-11-13 "Zechariah 12:11-13 - National Mourning in Jerusalem") further detail this widespread, national mourning, comparing it to the lamentation for Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo. Zechariah 12:14 then intensifies this description, emphasizing the deeply personal and private nature of this repentance and grief, extending to every individual within every family, setting the stage for the cleansing fountain promised in [Zechariah 13:1](/zechariah/13-1 "Zechariah 13:1 - The Fountain for Sin and Uncleanness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Zechariah was written to the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, encouraging them in the rebuilding of the Temple and reminding them of God's covenant faithfulness and future plans for Israel. The prophecies in [Zechariah 9-14](/zechariah/9-14 "Zechariah 9-14 - Prophecies of the Messiah and Jerusalem's Future") shift from immediate post-exilic concerns to eschatological visions, particularly concerning the end times, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate restoration of Israel. The concept of national mourning was a known practice in ancient Israel, often associated with repentance, disaster, or the death of a significant figure. However, the mourning described in [Zechariah 12](/zechariah/12 "Zechariah 12 - Jerusalem's Deliverance and Mourning") transcends typical communal lamentations, emphasizing an unprecedented depth and individualization of grief, indicative of a profound spiritual turning rather than just a response to a temporal calamity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **National Repentance and Spiritual Awakening**, portraying a future time when the nation of Israel will experience a profound, collective, and individual turning to God, marked by deep sorrow over their historical rejection of their Messiah (as prophesied in [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One")). Secondly, it highlights the **Personal Nature of True Repentance**, emphasizing that while sin has communal consequences, true sorrow for sin is deeply individual, affecting each person in their innermost being, even separating them from their closest relations in their private lament. Finally, it points to **Future Hope and Restoration**, as this intense mourning is not despair but a precursor to spiritual cleansing and renewal, leading to the opening of a "fountain for sin and for uncleanness" for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as seen in [Zechariah 13:1](/zechariah/13-1 "Zechariah 13:1 - The Fountain for Sin and Uncleanness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** From H4940, this term refers to a family, a circle of relatives, or by extension, a tribe or people. Its repeated use in Zechariah 12:12-14 ("family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; all the families that remain, every family apart") emphasizes the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of this mourning, extending to every segment and lineage within Israel.
* **remain (Hebrew, _shâʼar'_):** From H7604, a primitive root meaning "to swell up" or "be redundant," which leads to the meaning "to leave" or "be left." This word denotes a remnant, those who are left over or preserved. In this context, "all the families that remain" refers to those who survive the preceding events described in Zechariah 12, implying a purified and preserved remnant of Israel who will experience this profound spiritual awakening.
* **wives (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** From H802, this is the feminine of 'iysh (man) or 'enosh (mankind), referring to a woman or wife. The specific mention of "their wives apart" underscores the extreme depth and individual nature of the mourning. It suggests that the grief is so profound and personal that even the closest of bonds—that between husband and wife—is temporarily set aside as each individual stands alone in their sorrow before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the families that remain":** This phrase indicates the universal scope of the mourning among the surviving population of Israel. It's not limited to specific tribes or groups but encompasses every lineage that endures through the events prophesied in Zechariah 12, signifying a comprehensive national spiritual transformation.
* **"every family apart":** This clause emphasizes the distinctness and individuality of the mourning within each familial unit. While it is a national phenomenon, the grief is experienced and expressed by each family as a unique entity, highlighting a deep, internal, and non-performative sorrow.
* **"and their wives apart":** This final clause intensifies the personal nature of the repentance to an unprecedented degree. It signifies that the mourning is so profound and intimate that even within the closest relationship—that of husband and wife—each individual experiences and expresses their grief separately. This detail underscores the genuine, internal, and deeply personal accountability and sorrow before God, where one stands alone in confession and lament.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Zechariah 12:14, and indeed throughout [Zechariah 12:12-14](/zechariah/12-12-14 "Zechariah 12:12-14 - The Extent of Mourning"), is **Repetition** and **Intensification**. The repeated use of the Hebrew word for "apart" (לְבָד - _lĕḇāḏ_) across these verses, culminating in "every family apart, and their wives apart," serves to powerfully emphasize the isolation and individual nature of the mourning. This is not a communal, ceremonial lament, but a deeply felt, private grief experienced by each person, even separate from their closest family members. This **Hyperbole** or extreme emphasis signifies a genuine, internal recognition of sin and sorrow, a profound introspection where each individual stands alone before God in their repentance. The progression from the house of David to other prominent families, and then to "all the families that remain," before finally specifying "their wives apart," demonstrates a clear **Climax** or escalation, driving home the unprecedented depth and pervasiveness of this future spiritual awakening and sorrow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 12:14 reveals a profound theological truth about the nature of true repentance: it is both national and intensely personal. While God deals with nations and covenants with collective groups, the ultimate turning of the heart is an individual act. This verse anticipates a future day when Israel, as a nation, will collectively recognize their Messiah, but this recognition will manifest in a deeply personal mourning for their past rejection, affecting every man and woman individually. This profound sorrow is not despair but a necessary precursor to spiritual cleansing and restoration, highlighting God's redemptive plan for His people that involves both corporate and individual transformation.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")
* [Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - The Fullness of Israel")
* [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 12:14 offers a powerful mirror for personal reflection on the nature of our own repentance and relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond superficial or communal expressions of faith to a deeply personal and internal transformation. Just as the families and individuals in Zechariah's prophecy are called to mourn "apart," so too are we called to confront our own sins and shortcomings in a private, sincere manner before God. This verse reminds us that while we are part of a larger community of faith, our individual walk with God requires personal accountability, confession, and a willingness to grieve over sin. True spiritual awakening, whether for an individual or a community, begins with a profound recognition of our need for God's grace and a heartfelt turning away from anything that separates us from Him. It encourages us to cultivate a personal space for introspection and genuine lament, knowing that such sorrow, when directed towards God, leads to restoration and cleansing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate a more personal and private sense of repentance, rather than relying on communal or superficial expressions?**
* **How does the idea of "mourning apart" challenge my understanding of individual accountability and spiritual intimacy with God?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the depth of sorrow required for true spiritual transformation, both individually and corporately?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "apart" being repeated so many times in Zechariah 12:12-14?**

Answer: The repetition of "apart" (Hebrew: _lĕḇāḏ_) in [Zechariah 12:12-14](/zechariah/12-12-14 "Zechariah 12:12-14 - The Extent of Mourning") is a powerful literary device used to emphasize the extreme depth and individual nature of the mourning described. It signifies that this is not merely a communal or ceremonial lament, but a deeply felt, private grief experienced by each person, even separate from their closest family members. This underscores a genuine, internal recognition of sin and sorrow, highlighting that true repentance is profoundly personal, where one stands alone before God in confession and lament.

**Does this passage refer to a past event or a future one?**

Answer: While Zechariah was written in the post-exilic period, the prophecies in [Zechariah 9-14](/zechariah/9-14 "Zechariah 9-14 - Prophecies of the Messiah and Jerusalem's Future") are largely eschatological, meaning they refer to future events. The mourning described in [Zechariah 12:10-14](/zechariah/12-10-14 "Zechariah 12:10-14 - The Pierced One and National Mourning") is widely understood by scholars to be a future event, specifically referring to a time when the nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah, the one "whom they have pierced," and respond with profound national and individual repentance. This future turning is often linked to the end times and the second coming of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 12:14, in its emphasis on profound, individual mourning, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of repentance and the direct connection to the crucifixion of Jesus. The preceding verse, [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One"), explicitly states, "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced," a prophecy directly quoted in [John 19:37](/john/19-37 "John 19:37 - Fulfillment of Prophecy at the Cross") concerning Jesus' crucifixion and again in [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Christ's Return and Those Who Pierced Him") regarding His second coming. Thus, the intense, personal mourning described in Zechariah 12:14 anticipates a future day when the nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah, the one they historically rejected and "pierced." This recognition will lead to a deep, agonizing, yet redemptive sorrow, akin to mourning for an only son, as described in [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One and the Spirit of Grace"). This profound repentance, affecting every family and individual, is a necessary spiritual preparation for their full restoration and the ushering in of the Messianic Kingdom, where the "fountain for sin and for uncleanness" (as promised in [Zechariah 13:1](/zechariah/13-1 "Zechariah 13:1 - The Fountain for Sin and Uncleanness")) will be opened through the atoning work of Christ. This passage beautifully illustrates that God's redemptive plan for Israel culminates in a profound, Christ-centered spiritual awakening, marked by a sorrow that leads to salvation and reconciliation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 9:12

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].