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.
And Judah {H3063} also shall fight {H3898} at Jerusalem {H3389}; and the wealth {H2428} of all the heathen {H1471} round about {H5439} shall be gathered together {H622}, gold {H2091}, and silver {H3701}, and apparel {H899}, in great {H3966} abundance {H7230}.
Y'hudah too will fight against Yerushalayim; and the wealth of all the nations will be assembled - gold, silver and clothing in great abundance.
Judah will also fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
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Isaiah 23:18
And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. -
2 Chronicles 20:25
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. -
2 Chronicles 20:27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. -
Zechariah 12:2
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem. -
Ezekiel 39:17
And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. -
Ezekiel 39:20
Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD. -
Ezekiel 39:9
And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
Zechariah 14:14 is a powerful prophetic declaration, describing the outcome of a future divine intervention in Jerusalem. Following a period of intense conflict, this verse foretells a dramatic reversal of fortunes: Judah will actively participate in the battle for Jerusalem, and the immense wealth of the surrounding Gentile nations, who had previously arrayed themselves against God's people, will be plundered and gathered by Israel.
Context
This verse is situated within Zechariah chapter 14, a pivotal section of the prophet's writings often referred to as the 'Day of the Lord' prophecy. The chapter begins with a vivid description of nations gathering against Jerusalem for a final battle (Zechariah 14:2). However, it quickly pivots to God's direct and miraculous intervention, where the Lord Himself fights for Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:3), leading to the establishment of His universal kingdom. Verse 14 specifically details the spoils of this divine victory, demonstrating God's complete triumph over His adversaries and His provision for His people.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "heathen" is a translation of the Hebrew word goyim (גּוֹיִם), which refers to the nations or Gentiles, often in contrast to Israel. In prophetic contexts, it frequently denotes those who are outside of God's covenant and often hostile to His purposes. The "wealth" (חֵיל - cheil) mentioned here signifies not just material riches but also military strength or resources, emphasizing the totality of what is taken from the defeated nations.
Practical Application
While Zechariah 14:14 is a specific prophecy with an eschatological context, its underlying principles offer encouragement to believers today. It reminds us that:
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ultimate triumph, ensuring that His people will be vindicated and blessed in His perfect timing.