Zechariah 14:19

KJV

This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

KJV (with Strong's)

This shall be the punishment {H2403} of Egypt {H4714}, and the punishment {H2403} of all nations {H1471} that come not up {H5927} to keep {H2287} the feast {H2282} of tabernacles {H5521}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This will be Egypt's punishment and the punishment of all the nations that don't go up to keep the festival of Sukkot.

Berean Standard Bible

This will be the punishment of Egypt and of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

American Standard Version

This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 14:19 pronounces a specific judgment upon Egypt and all other nations that refuse to ascend to Jerusalem annually to observe the Feast of Tabernacles in the eschatological kingdom of God. This verse underscores the universal requirement for obedience and worship to the King, the LORD of hosts, in the future Messianic era, with the withholding of rain serving as the divinely appointed consequence for non-compliance, signifying God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 14 is the climactic conclusion of the book, detailing the "Day of the Lord" and the establishment of God's universal kingdom on earth. The chapter begins with a dramatic depiction of Jerusalem's siege and ultimate divine deliverance ([Zechariah 14:1-5](/zechariah/14-1-5 "Zechariah 14:1-5 - The Day of the Lord and Messiah's Return")). It then transitions to a description of the transformed earth and Jerusalem as the global capital ([Zechariah 14:6-11](/zechariah/14-6-11 "Zechariah 14:6-11 - Transformed Earth and Jerusalem")). Following the defeat of God's enemies ([Zechariah 14:12-15](/zechariah/14-12-15 "Zechariah 14:12-15 - Divine Judgment on Enemies")), the passage in [Zechariah 14:16-19](/zechariah/14-16-19 "Zechariah 14:16-19 - Nations Worshiping the King") outlines the universal worship required of all surviving nations, specifically their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 19 directly follows verses 17 and 18, which detail the general punishment (no rain) for nations that fail to make this pilgrimage, explicitly singling out Egypt as a prominent example.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot in Hebrew) was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Pentecost) where all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem ([Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts")). It commemorated God's provision and dwelling with Israel during their forty years in the wilderness, living in temporary shelters or booths (tabernacles) ([Leviticus 23:42-43](/leviticus/23-42-43 "Leviticus 23:42-43 - The Feast of Tabernacles")). Agriculturally, it marked the end of the harvest season, a time of great rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's bounty. The specific mention of Egypt is significant. Historically, Egypt often represented a powerful nation hostile to God's people, a symbol of the world system in opposition to divine will. Its agricultural economy was uniquely dependent on the annual flooding of the Nile, not direct rainfall. Thus, the withholding of rain, while devastating to other nations, would manifest in Egypt as the failure of the Nile to rise sufficiently, leading to famine, a tailored judgment that echoes the plagues of the Exodus ([Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7-12 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues on Egypt")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in Zechariah and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights **God's Universal Sovereignty and Kingdom Rule**. The "Day of the Lord" culminates in God's undisputed reign over all nations, demanding their submission and worship ([Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "Zechariah 14:9 - The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth")). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Retribution** for disobedience. Even in a restored world, refusal to acknowledge God's authority carries severe consequences, demonstrating that God's justice is absolute ([Deuteronomy 28:15-24](/deuteronomy/28-15-24 "Deuteronomy 28:15-24 - Curses for Disobedience")). Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Perpetual Significance of Worship and the Feast of Tabernacles**. This ancient festival, once specific to Israel, becomes a universal act of homage to the King, symbolizing God's dwelling among humanity and His bountiful provision in the new age ([Zechariah 14:16](/zechariah/14-16 "Zechariah 14:16 - Nations Worshiping the King")). Finally, the mention of Egypt and "all nations" reinforces the theme of **God's Authority Over All Peoples**, indicating that no nation, regardless of its past or power, will be exempt from God's righteous rule.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **punishment (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** This word, often translated as "sin" or "sin offering," here refers to the *penalty* or *consequence* of sin. In this context, it signifies the divinely ordained retribution for the nations' offense of refusing to worship the King. It emphasizes that the suffering they experience is a direct and just consequence of their disobedience.
* **nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** While often referring to "Gentiles" or non-Israelite peoples, here it broadly encompasses all "foreign nations" or "peoples" of the world. Its use highlights the universal scope of God's future reign and the global requirement for worship, extending beyond Israel to all humanity.
* **come up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** This verb signifies "to ascend" or "to go up," specifically referring to the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which is geographically elevated. It implies a deliberate act of submission and worship, a physical journey to the holy city to present oneself before the Lord.
* **feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to move in a circle" or "to observe a festival," this term denotes a solemn, joyous festival or pilgrimage. It emphasizes the communal and celebratory nature of the required worship, a time of gathering and rejoicing before God.
* **tabernacles (Hebrew, _çukkâh'_):** This refers to temporary shelters or booths. The "Feast of Tabernacles" (Sukkot) commemorates God's dwelling with Israel in the wilderness. In the future kingdom, its observance by all nations will symbolize God's universal presence and provision among all peoples, not just Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This shall be the punishment of Egypt,"**: This clause specifically names Egypt, a nation historically representative of worldly power and opposition to God. Its explicit mention highlights that even the most formidable and historically resistant nations will be subject to God's judgment and rule in the eschatological age. The "punishment" (Hebrew: _chaṭṭâʼâh_) refers to the consequence of their sin of non-compliance.
* **"and the punishment of all nations"**: This expands the scope of judgment from Egypt to include every other nation that fails to comply. It underscores the universal nature of God's sovereignty and the mandatory worship required of all peoples in His established kingdom. No nation will be exempt from this divine decree or its consequences.
* **"that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."**: This specifies the precise act of disobedience that incurs the divine punishment. The phrase "come not up" refers to the refusal to make the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the elevated city, to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. This refusal signifies a deliberate rejection of the King's authority and a failure to participate in the mandated worship, thereby incurring the described judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 14:19 employs several potent literary devices. **Synecdoche** is evident in the specific mention of "Egypt" to represent a larger category, "all nations." Egypt, being a prominent historical adversary of Israel and a symbol of worldly power, stands in for all Gentile nations that might resist God's future reign. This emphasizes that even the most formidable powers will be subject to divine authority. The passage also utilizes **Symbolism**, where the "Feast of Tabernacles" transcends its historical Israelite context to become a symbol of universal submission, worship, and recognition of God's dwelling among humanity in the Messianic age. The "punishment" itself, the withholding of rain, functions as a powerful **Metonymy** for divine judgment and control over creation, directly linking disobedience to a tangible, life-sustaining consequence. This specific form of judgment also exhibits **Irony**, as Egypt, a land dependent on the Nile's annual inundation rather than direct rainfall, would still suffer from a lack of "rain" in the broader sense of life-giving water, demonstrating God's ability to tailor His judgments to specific contexts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 14:19 powerfully articulates the future reality of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and nations. In the eschatological kingdom, the worship of the King, the LORD of hosts, will not be optional but a universal mandate, enforced by divine judgment. This highlights God's ultimate authority and the necessary submission of all peoples to His righteous rule. The Feast of Tabernacles, once a covenantal observance for Israel, is transformed into a global act of homage, symbolizing God's dwelling among humanity and His bountiful provision for all who acknowledge Him. The specific punishment of withholding rain underscores God's control over the natural world and His power to enforce His will, demonstrating that true peace and prosperity in the kingdom are contingent upon obedient worship.

* [Psalm 2:10-12](/psalm/2-10-12 "Psalm 2:10-12 - Serve the Lord with Fear")
* [Isaiah 60:12](/isaiah/60-12 "Isaiah 60:12 - Nations That Will Not Serve")
* [Revelation 15:4](/revelation/15-4 "Revelation 15:4 - All Nations Shall Worship You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 14:19, while describing a future eschatological reality, offers profound spiritual principles for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder of God's ultimate authority and the inevitability of His universal reign. We are called to worship God not out of compulsion, but out of a voluntary and joyful heart, recognizing His sovereignty now, before the time when all knees will bow. This passage challenges us to consider the depth of our own worship and obedience. Are we truly submitting to the King of kings in every area of our lives, or are we, like the nations in this prophecy, withholding the homage due to Him? Furthermore, it broadens our perspective to God's global plan, reminding us that His desire is for all nations to ultimately acknowledge and worship Him. This should fuel our passion for missions and evangelism, participating in God's redemptive work to draw people from every tribe and tongue into His kingdom, so that one day they too might willingly "come up" and worship the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's future universal reign impact your present worship and obedience?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be "withholding" worship or submission from the King?**
* **What does the universal requirement to keep the Feast of Tabernacles teach us about God's desire for all nations?**
* **How can you participate more fully in God's mission to draw all peoples to Himself, anticipating the day when all will worship Him?**

### FAQ

**Why is Egypt specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Egypt is specifically mentioned because it historically represented a powerful, often hostile, nation that resisted God's will and oppressed His people. By singling out Egypt, Zechariah emphasizes that even the most formidable and historically defiant nations will be subject to God's authority and judgment in the future kingdom. It serves as a prominent example of "all nations" and highlights God's absolute sovereignty over every earthly power, demonstrating that no one will be exempt from His rule or the consequences of disobedience, echoing the divine judgments seen in the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/7-12 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues on Egypt").

**What is the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles in this future context?**

Answer: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of Israel's three major pilgrimage festivals, commemorating God's provision and dwelling with them in the wilderness ([Leviticus 23:42-43](/leviticus/23-42-43 "Leviticus 23:42-43 - The Feast of Tabernacles")). In the future kingdom, its universal observance by all nations signifies several key things: it marks the establishment of God's universal reign and the King's presence among all peoples; it symbolizes God's ongoing provision and blessing for the earth; and it represents the joyous, communal worship of the King by all humanity. It transforms from an Israelite historical commemoration into a global celebration of God's dwelling and sovereignty over the entire world, as prophesied in [Zechariah 14:16](/zechariah/14-16 "Zechariah 14:16 - Nations Coming to Worship").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 14:19 describes a future literal event in the Messianic kingdom, its underlying principles find their ultimate fulfillment and spiritual resonance in Christ. The "Day of the Lord" culminates in the reign of Jesus Christ, the true King, who will indeed establish a kingdom where all nations are called to worship Him. The punishment for those who "come not up" to worship foreshadows the eternal consequences for those who reject the call to repent and believe in Jesus now. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "Tabernacle" or dwelling place of God among humanity, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus makes it possible for all peoples, regardless of their national origin, to enter into a relationship with God and worship Him in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). The future universal worship described in Zechariah is a glorious anticipation of the reality that every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")), whether in willing adoration or compelled submission. Thus, the Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing God's presence and provision, finds its deepest meaning in Christ, through whom God dwells with His people and provides eternal life for all who believe ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

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

John 3:19

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.