Zechariah 14:13
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
And it shall come to pass in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֧ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יְהוָ֛ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רַבָּ֖ה
that a great
H7227
רַבָּ֖ה
that a great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 17
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְהֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ
shall be among them and they shall lay hold
H2388
וְהֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ
shall be among them and they shall lay hold
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
9 of 17
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
אִ֚ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יַ֥ד
against the hand
H3027
יַ֥ד
against the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְעָלְתָ֥ה
shall rise up
H5927
וְעָלְתָ֥ה
shall rise up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
13 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
יַ֥ד
against the hand
H3027
יַ֥ד
against the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
During end-times Armageddon scenario (Revelation 16:16), nations gather against Jerusalem. God intervenes with both supernatural plague (verse 12) and divinely-induced confusion causing mutual slaughter (verse 13). This accomplishes enemy destruction while demonstrating that salvation is from the Lord alone, not military prowess.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God causing enemy confusion teach about His sovereignty over human plans and warfare?
- How have you witnessed God 'confusing' opposition to accomplish His purposes in less dramatic ways?
- Why does God often deliver His people through enemy self-destruction rather than direct miraculous intervention?
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them (וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא תִּהְיֶה מְהוּמַת־יְהוָה רַבָּה בָּהֶם)—mehumah (confusion/panic/tumult) is divine psychological warfare. God causes Israel's enemies to turn on each other. And they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour—mutual destruction, armies fighting each other rather than Israel.
This echoes Judges 7:22 (Gideon's victory: "The LORD set every man's sword against his fellow") and 2 Chronicles 20:23 (Jehoshaphat's victory: enemies "helped to destroy one another"). God repeatedly uses this tactic: when Israel is outnumbered, He causes enemy confusion resulting in self-destruction. Ezekiel 38:21 prophesies similarly: "Every man's sword shall be against his brother." This demonstrates that God doesn't need human strength to deliver His people; He can cause enemies to defeat themselves.