Zechariah 14:4

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

And his feet {H7272} shall stand {H5975} in that day {H3117} upon the mount {H2022} of Olives {H2132}, which is before {H6440} Jerusalem {H3389} on the east {H6924}, and the mount {H2022} of Olives {H2132} shall cleave {H1234} in the midst {H2677} thereof toward the east {H4217} and toward the west {H3220}, and there shall be a very {H3966} great {H1419} valley {H1516}; and half {H2677} of the mountain {H2022} shall remove {H4185} toward the north {H6828}, and half {H2677} of it toward the south {H5045}.

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which lies to the east of Yerushalayim; and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, to make a huge valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Commentary on Zechariah 14:4 (KJV)

Zechariah 14:4 is a pivotal prophetic verse, offering a vivid description of a future, dramatic event tied to the return of the Lord. It paints a picture of divine intervention that will physically alter the landscape around Jerusalem, setting the stage for the establishment of God's universal reign.

Context

This verse is part of Zechariah Chapter 14, which focuses intensely on the "Day of the Lord," a significant eschatological theme throughout biblical prophecy. The chapter describes a final great battle against Jerusalem, followed by the Lord's direct intervention, victory, and the subsequent establishment of His kingdom on Earth. The preceding verses (Zechariah 14:1-3) speak of all nations gathering against Jerusalem for battle, highlighting the dire circumstances before God's decisive action. Zechariah, as a post-exilic prophet, often blends immediate historical concerns with far-reaching messianic and end-time prophecies, offering hope and a future vision for Israel.

Key Themes

  • The Lord's Physical Return: The phrase "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives" powerfully signifies a visible, physical return of the Lord. This aligns with the angelic promise made at the ascension of Jesus Christ from the Mount of Olives in Acts 1:11, where it was declared that He would return in the same manner. This emphasizes the literal fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Dramatic Geological Transformation: The splitting of the Mount of Olives into a "very great valley" is an extraordinary detail, indicating a supernatural event. This transformation creates a new geographical feature, possibly providing an escape route for the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the siege, as hinted in Zechariah 14:5.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: This event underscores God's absolute control over creation and history. His intervention brings an end to the siege against Jerusalem and marks the beginning of His righteous rule, a theme central to the "Day of the Lord." The splitting of the mountain can be seen as a display of immense power, preparing the way for judgment and salvation.
  • Messianic Prophecy: While not explicitly naming Jesus, Christian theology widely interprets "his feet" as referring to the Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This event is a foundational aspect of end-times prophecy concerning Christ's ultimate victory and the establishment of His earthly kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The "Mount of Olives" (Hebrew: Har HaZeitim) is a significant landmark east of Jerusalem, overlooking the city. Its mention grounds this prophecy in a specific, recognizable location. The Hebrew verb for "cleave" is baqa' (בָּקַע), which means to split, burst open, or tear apart. It's a strong verb, used elsewhere for the parting of the Red Sea or the breaking open of the earth, emphasizing the supernatural force involved in this geological upheaval.

Reflection and Application

Zechariah 14:4 offers profound assurance for believers and a stark warning for those who oppose God. It reminds us:

  • God is Faithful to His Promises: The precise details of the Lord's return, including His physical standing on the Mount of Olives, demonstrate God's commitment to fulfilling His prophetic word. This gives us confidence in the truth of Scripture.
  • Hope in a Future Kingdom: Despite present trials or global turmoil, this verse points to a future where God's justice and peace will ultimately prevail under the direct reign of the Messiah. It provides comfort and hope for those living in anticipation of that day.
  • Readiness for His Coming: The dramatic nature of this prophecy should encourage believers to live lives of holiness and watchfulness, always ready for the Lord's return, as emphasized in many New Testament passages.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate victory and the tangible reality of His future intervention in human history, culminating in the reign of the King of Kings.

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.

  • Micah 1:3

    For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

  • Micah 1:4

    And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place.

  • Ezekiel 11:23

    And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which [is] on the east side of the city.

  • Acts 1:11

    Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

  • Acts 1:12

    ¶ Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

  • Zechariah 14:10

    All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and [from] the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

  • Joel 3:12

    Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

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