Zechariah 14:18

Authorized King James Version

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת
H4940
And if the family
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#3
מִצְרַ֧יִם
H4714
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#4
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
H5927
go not up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#6
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
בָאָ֖ה
H935
and come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה
H4046
not that have no rain there shall be the plague
a pestilence; by analogy, defeat
#12
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
יִגֹּ֤ף
H5062
will smite
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
#14
יְהוָה֙
H3068
wherewith the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם
H1471
the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#17
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
H5927
go not up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
לָחֹ֖ג
H2287
to keep
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
#21
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
חַ֥ג
H2282
the feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#23
הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃
H5521
of tabernacles
a hut or lair

Analysis

Within the broader context of Zechariah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Zechariah.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection