Zechariah 14:5

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
נַסְתֶּם֙
H5127
And ye shall flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#2
גֵּי
H1516
for the valley
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
#3
הָרִים֮
H2022
of the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#4
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#5
יַגִּ֣יעַ
H5060
shall reach
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
#6
גֵּי
H1516
for the valley
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
#7
הָרִים֮
H2022
of the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#8
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
אָצַל֒
H682
unto Azal
atsel, the name of a place in palestine
#10
נַסְתֶּם֙
H5127
And ye shall flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#11
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
נַסְתֶּם֙
H5127
And ye shall flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#13
מִפְּנֵ֣י
H6440
from before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
הָרַ֔עַשׁ
H7494
the earthquake
vibration, bounding, uproar
#15
בִּימֵ֖י
H3117
in the days
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
#16
עֻזִּיָּ֣ה
H5818
of Uzziah
uzzijah, the name of five israelites
#17
מֶֽלֶךְ
H4428
king
a king
#18
יְהוּדָ֑ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#19
וּבָא֙
H935
shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#20
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#21
אֱלֹהַ֔י
H430
my God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#22
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים
H6918
and all the saints
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#24
עִמָּֽךְ׃
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection