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 {H5927} of all the families {H4940} of the earth {H776} unto Jerusalem {H3389} to worship {H7812} the King {H4428}, the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, even upon them shall be no rain {H1653}.

If any of the families of the earth does not go up to Yerushalayim to worship the king, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, no rain will fall on them.

And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them.

And it shall be, that whoso of all the families of the earth goeth not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain.

Context of Zechariah 14:17

Zechariah 14 is a highly prophetic chapter, often understood to describe events surrounding the "Day of the LORD" and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, frequently associated with the Millennial reign of Christ. Following a final battle where God intervenes on behalf of Jerusalem, the prophet describes a time when "the LORD shall be king over all the earth". Verse 16 sets the stage by stating that survivors from all nations will come up to Jerusalem yearly to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 17 then outlines the specific consequence for those who refuse to participate in this universal worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Worship and Sovereignty: This verse underscores the absolute sovereignty of God as "the King, the LORD of hosts." In this future era, His reign will be universally recognized, and worship will be mandatory for all nations. It highlights a time when there will be no neutrality; all will be expected to acknowledge and submit to His authority.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequence: The withholding of rain serves as a direct, tangible judgment. In an agrarian society, rain was essential for survival and prosperity. Lack of rain meant drought, famine, and death. This consequence vividly illustrates God's control over creation and His willingness to use natural elements to enforce His will and punish rebellion. The principle of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, seen throughout the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 11:17), is here applied on a global scale.
  • Jerusalem's Centrality: During this future kingdom, Jerusalem is presented as the undisputed spiritual and governmental capital of the world, the place where all nations must come to worship the King.

Linguistic Insights

The title "the King, the LORD of hosts" is significant. "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God's omnipotence, His command over all heavenly armies (celestial bodies and angels), and His absolute power over all creation. When combined with "the King," it powerfully declares His ultimate authority and right to rule over all the earth and its inhabitants. The phrase underscores that the God of Israel is not merely a tribal deity, but the universal monarch who demands and deserves the worship of all peoples.

Practical Application

While Zechariah 14:17 describes a specific future event, its underlying principles offer timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Imperative of Worship: God is eternally worthy of all worship, honor, and glory. This verse reminds us that true worship is not optional but a fundamental duty and privilege for all creation. As Revelation 15:4 proclaims, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee."
  • Consequences of Rebellion: God's patience is immense, but His justice is certain. Refusing to acknowledge and worship Him ultimately leads to negative consequences, whether spiritual barrenness now or explicit judgment in the future.
  • God's Sovereign Control: The verse highlights God's absolute control over all aspects of creation, including natural phenomena like rain. This should inspire both reverence and trust, knowing that our lives and the world are ultimately in His hands.
  • Anticipating His Reign: For believers, this prophecy serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate victory and the coming universal reign of Christ. It encourages us to live now in anticipation of that day, aligning our lives with His will and participating in His mission to draw all peoples to Himself.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 14:4

    Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

  • Isaiah 60:12

    For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those] nations shall be utterly wasted.

  • Amos 4:7

    And also I have withholden the rain from you, when [there were] yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

  • Amos 4:8

    So two [or] three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Revelation 11:6

    These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

  • Deuteronomy 11:17

    And [then] the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and [lest] ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

  • James 5:17

    Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

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