Zechariah 14:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת
And if the family
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת
And if the family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 of 23
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
go not up
H5927
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
go not up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
5 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה
not that have no rain there shall be the plague
H4046
הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה
not that have no rain there shall be the plague
Strong's:
H4046
Word #:
11 of 23
a pestilence; by analogy, defeat
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִגֹּ֤ף
will smite
H5062
יִגֹּ֤ף
will smite
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
13 of 23
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
יְהוָה֙
wherewith the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
wherewith the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם
the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם
the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
16 of 23
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
go not up
H5927
יַֽעֲל֔וּ
go not up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לָחֹ֖ג
to keep
H2287
לָחֹ֖ג
to keep
Strong's:
H2287
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Egypt represents Gentile nations who must acknowledge Christ's kingship. The specific mention indicates that familiar nations (not just unknown peoples) will participate in millennial worship. This fulfills prophecies like Isaiah 19 where former enemies become worshipers. Egypt's unique agricultural system (Nile irrigation) doesn't exempt them—God will find appropriate means to enforce obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Egypt's inclusion teach about God's desire for even former enemies to worship Him?
- How does 'tailored judgment' (plague for Egypt vs. drought for others) demonstrate God's perfect justice?
- In what way does Egypt's conversion symbolize the gospel's power to transform God's enemies into worshipers?
Analysis & Commentary
And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain—special mention of Egypt, representative of nations. Egypt's unique geography (dependent on Nile flooding, not rain) might suggest exemption from rain-based curse. The verse addresses this: there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles—even Egypt receives equivalent punishment (plague instead of drought), ensuring no nation escapes judgment for non-compliance.
Egypt symbolizes worldly power and historical oppressor of Israel (Exodus enslavement). That even Egypt must bow to Messiah demonstrates universal submission—no nation too powerful or distant to avoid accountability. Isaiah 19:18-25 prophesies Egypt's conversion: "In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt." Egypt transitions from enemy to worshiper, but still under obligation to annual pilgrimage like all nations.