Zechariah 14:2

Authorized King James Version

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָסַפְתִּ֨י
H622
For I will gather
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#2
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
הַגּוֹיִ֥ם׀
H1471
all nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#5
אֶֽל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
יְרוּשָׁלִַם֮
H3389
against Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#7
לַמִּלְחָמָה֒
H4421
to battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#8
וְנִלְכְּדָ֣ה
H3920
shall be taken
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
#9
הָעִֽיר׃
H5892
and the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
וְנָשַׁ֙סּוּ֙
H8155
rifled
to plunder
#11
הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים
H1004
and the houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים
H802
and the women
a woman
#13
תִּשָּׁגַ֑לְנָה
H7693
to copulate with
#14
וְיָצָ֞א
H3318
shall go forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
חֲצִ֤י
H2677
and half
the half or middle
#16
הָעִֽיר׃
H5892
and the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#17
בַּגּוֹלָ֔ה
H1473
into captivity
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
#18
וְיֶ֣תֶר
H3499
and the residue
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
#19
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#20
לֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#21
יִכָּרֵ֖ת
H3772
shall not be cut off
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#22
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#23
הָעִֽיר׃
H5892
and the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Zechariah. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection