And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
ZECHARIAH 14:18KJVWhat does Zechariah 14:18 mean?
Zechariah 14:18 says that if Egypt’s people do not come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, they will face a plague from the LORD, just like any other nation that refuses to come. The verse highlights that even Egypt, which does not usually depend on rain, will not be exempt from God’s judgment if they do not participate.
Zechariah is speaking to the people of Israel about a future time when all nations are expected to worship the LORD in Jerusalem during this festival. The verse uses Egypt as a specific example, likely because Egypt’s land is watered by the Nile and not by rain, so the warning of a plague instead of drought makes the consequences clear for every nation.
The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:18
- "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם, mitsrayim): Naming Egypt specifically matters because Egypt’s agriculture depends on the Nile, not rain, so the threat of a plague instead of drought is tailored to them.
- "plague" (מַגֵּפָה, maggephah): This word means a striking or smiting, often a severe disease or disaster sent as punishment. It shows that the consequence for disobedience is serious and not just limited to a lack of rain.
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The use of God’s personal name underlines that this judgment comes directly from Israel’s God, not from natural causes.
Why Zechariah 14:18 matters
- The verse clarifies that no nation is exempt from honoring the LORD, not even Egypt, which had a unique relationship to water and rain.
- It emphasizes that God’s expectations and judgments are universal, applying equally to all peoples, regardless of their natural circumstances.
- This verse connects to the larger theme in Zechariah 14 of all nations being called to worship in Jerusalem, showing a vision of worldwide recognition of the LORD.