And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

ZECHARIAH 14:12KJV
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Zechariah 14:12 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 14:12 mean?

Zechariah 14:12 describes a devastating plague that the LORD will send against all the people who fought against Jerusalem, causing their flesh, eyes, and tongues to waste away while they are still standing. This verse paints a vivid picture of a sudden and overwhelming judgment on those who opposed Jerusalem.

The prophet Zechariah is speaking to the people of Judah, describing a future time when God will defend Jerusalem against its enemies. The verse uses strong, graphic language to show the seriousness of God's intervention and the fate of those who come against His city. This warning is part of a larger prophecy about the final days and the LORD's ultimate victory.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:12

  • plague (מַגֵּפָה, maggephah): This word often refers to a deadly blow or widespread disease sent as judgment. Its use here emphasizes the supernatural and severe nature of the punishment.
  • smite (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means to strike or hit with force. In this context, it highlights that the disaster comes directly from the LORD’s action, not just from natural causes.
  • consume away (מָקַק, maqaq): This word is used three times in the verse for flesh, eyes, and tongue, meaning to rot or decay. The repetition underlines the completeness and horror of the plague.

Why Zechariah 14:12 matters

  • Zechariah 14:12 clears up that the destruction described is not just a natural disaster but is portrayed as a direct act of judgment from the LORD against those who attacked Jerusalem.
  • The verse’s graphic detail emphasizes the seriousness of opposing God’s purposes and the certainty of His protection over Jerusalem.
  • Understanding this verse in its context helps make sense of the larger prophecy in Zechariah 14, which describes both judgment on the nations and hope for Jerusalem’s future.

Where else these words appear

“away” Hebrew H4743 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 26:39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.
  • Isaiah 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
  • Ezekiel 24:23 And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

“holes” Hebrew H2356 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
  • Job 30:6 To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
  • Ezekiel 8:7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.

“fought” Hebrew H6633 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • Numbers 31:7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
  • Isaiah 29:7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

“plague” Hebrew H4046 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
  • Numbers 26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.