And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

ZECHARIAH 14:16KJV
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Zechariah 14:16 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 14:16 mean?

Zechariah 14:16 describes a future time when survivors from all the nations that fought against Jerusalem will come each year to worship God, called here the King and the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse pictures a worldwide recognition of God’s authority and a shared act of worship in Jerusalem.

In this part of the book, the prophet Zechariah is speaking about events that will happen after a great conflict involving Jerusalem. The verse shifts from judgment to restoration, showing that even those who once opposed Jerusalem will be included in worshiping God. The Feast of Tabernacles, a festival celebrating God’s provision and presence, becomes a symbol of unity and peace among former enemies.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:16

  • "nations" (גּוֹי, goy): This word refers to peoples or groups outside Israel, highlighting that the invitation to worship is extended beyond just the Jewish people.
  • "worship" (שָׁחָה, shachah): This word means to bow down or pay homage, emphasizing a deep respect and submission to God as King.
  • "feast" (חַג, chag) and "tabernacles" (סֻכָּה, sukkah): These words refer to the festival where people lived in temporary shelters, recalling Israel’s journey through the wilderness. The mention here points to a time of joyful remembrance and gratitude for God’s care.

Why Zechariah 14:16 matters

  • Zechariah 14:16 clarifies that God’s plan includes people from all nations, not just Israel, showing a vision of worldwide worship and reconciliation.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of the Feast of Tabernacles as a time when people remember God’s faithfulness and provision, now shared by all nations.
  • This verse connects the themes of judgment and hope in Zechariah 14, showing that after conflict, there is a promise of peace and unity under God’s rule.

Where else these words appear

“keep” Hebrew H2287 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
  • Leviticus 23:41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
  • Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

“tabernacles” Hebrew H5521 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • 1 Kings 20:12 And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.
  • Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

“from” Hebrew H1767 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
  • 1 Samuel 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
  • Isaiah 28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Nehemiah 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.