Zechariah 14:20

Authorized King James Version

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In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Original Language Analysis

בַּיּ֣וֹם In that day H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם In that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 1 of 15
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
הַה֗וּא H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 15
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
יִֽהְיֶה֙ H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מְצִלּ֣וֹת shall there be upon the bells H4698
מְצִלּ֣וֹת shall there be upon the bells
Strong's: H4698
Word #: 5 of 15
a tinkler, i.e., a bell
הַסּ֔וּס of the horses H5483
הַסּ֔וּס of the horses
Strong's: H5483
Word #: 6 of 15
a horse (as leaping)
קֹ֖דֶשׁ HOLINESS H6944
קֹ֖דֶשׁ HOLINESS
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 7 of 15
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
יְהוָ֔ה UNTO THE LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה UNTO THE LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהָיָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַסִּירוֹת֙ and the pots H5518
הַסִּירוֹת֙ and the pots
Strong's: H5518
Word #: 10 of 15
a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook
בְּבֵ֣ית house H1004
בְּבֵ֣ית house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 11 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה UNTO THE LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה UNTO THE LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּמִּזְרָקִ֖ים shall be like the bowls H4219
כַּמִּזְרָקִ֖ים shall be like the bowls
Strong's: H4219
Word #: 13 of 15
a bowl (as if for sprinkling)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 14 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ the altar H4196
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ the altar
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 15 of 15
an altar

Analysis & Commentary

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה עַל־מְצִלּוֹת הַסּוּס קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה)—metzillot (bells/cymbals) on horses inscribed with qodesh la-YHWH, the exact phrase on the high priest's golden headplate (Exodus 28:36). What was exclusively priestly now extends to common items—even war horses bear the holiness inscription. And the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar—ordinary cooking pots in temple equal sacred vessels used for sacrifices.

This depicts comprehensive sanctification: everything becomes holy, no distinction between sacred and secular. The entire creation is consecrated to God's glory. This fulfills the kingdom of priests concept (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9): all life is worship, all activities sacred. It anticipates New Jerusalem where "there shall be no more curse" (Revelation 22:3) and all is holy. This is restoration beyond Eden—not innocent creation, but redeemed, glorified creation where holiness permeates everything.

Historical Context

In millennial kingdom under Messiah's reign, the whole earth becomes God's temple. The separation between holy and common (necessary under Law due to sin) is overcome through Christ's redemptive work. This fulfills prophetic visions like Isaiah 11:9: "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

Questions for Reflection