Zechariah 14:8

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה׀

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּיּ֣וֹם

H3117

And it shall be in that day

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

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

יֵצְא֤וּ

H3318

shall go out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מַֽיִם

H4325

waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

חַיִּים֙

H2416

that living

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

from Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְחֶצְיָ֖ם

H2677

and half

the half or middle

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#10

הַיָּ֣ם

H3220

sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

#11

הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֔י

H6931

of them toward the former

(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental

#12

וְחֶצְיָ֖ם

H2677

and half

the half or middle

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

הַיָּ֣ם

H3220

sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

#15

הָאַחֲר֑וֹן

H314

of them toward the hinder

hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western

#16

בַּקַּ֥יִץ

H7019

in summer

harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season

#17

וּבָחֹ֖רֶף

H2779

and in winter

properly, the crop gathered, i.e., (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of age

#18

יִֽהְיֶֽה׃

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?