Zechariah 14:7

Authorized King James Version

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But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
י֣וֹם day H3117
י֣וֹם day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 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
אֶחָ֗ד But it shall be one H259
אֶחָ֗ד But it shall be one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
ה֛וּא H1931
ה֛וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 4 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
יִוָּדַ֥ע which shall be known H3045
יִוָּדַ֥ע which shall be known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 5 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לַֽיהוָ֖ה to the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
י֣וֹם day H3117
י֣וֹם day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 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
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָ֑יְלָה nor night H3915
לָ֑יְלָה nor night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְהָיָ֥ה H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 11 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעֵֽת time H6256
לְעֵֽת time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 12 of 15
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
עֶ֖רֶב but it shall come to pass that at evening H6153
עֶ֖רֶב but it shall come to pass that at evening
Strong's: H6153
Word #: 13 of 15
dusk
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 14 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֽוֹר׃ it shall be light H216
אֽוֹר׃ it shall be light
Strong's: H216
Word #: 15 of 15
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

Cross References

Revelation 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Isaiah 30:26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.Daniel 12:4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.Revelation 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.Acts 1:7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.Acts 15:18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.Psalms 37:18The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.Jeremiah 30:7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.Mark 13:32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Analysis & Commentary

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night—this mysterious phrase describes a unique day outside normal temporal categories. The Hebrew yom echad (יוֹם אֶחָד) uses the same "echad" (one) as Genesis 1:5 ("one day") and Deuteronomy 6:4 ("the LORD is one"), suggesting unified, unique quality. "Known to the LORD" (yivvade l-Yahweh) indicates only God knows this day's timing (Matthew 24:36, "of that day and hour knoweth no man") and nature—it transcends human understanding of day/night cycles.

"Not day, nor night" (lo-yom ve-lo laylah) describes abnormal celestial conditions—neither full light nor complete darkness, continued from verse 6's ambiguity. Yet the promise resolves: "at evening time it shall be light" (le-et erev yihyeh or). When natural light should fade (evening), supernatural light appears. This reverses normal order, demonstrating God's control over creation. The light source isn't the sun but God Himself, anticipating Revelation 21:23: "the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

This "one day" marks transition from old creation to new. Isaiah 60:19-20 similarly prophesies: "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light." When Christ returns, He brings eternal day where there is no night (Revelation 22:5).

Historical Context

Ancient peoples marked time by solar/lunar cycles—day and night, months and years. A day that is "neither day nor night" defies natural order, signaling new creation. This echoes Genesis 1:3-5 when God created light before creating sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-18)—demonstrating light's source is ultimately God Himself, not celestial bodies. Zechariah's post-exilic audience would connect this to Exodus 13:21-22's pillar of cloud and fire providing continuous guidance, and to God's glory filling the tabernacle/temple. The New Testament develops this: John 1:4-5 identifies Jesus as the true light, John 8:12 records Jesus declaring "I am the light of the world," and Revelation depicts eternal light from God's glory.

Questions for Reflection