This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

ZECHARIAH 14:19KJV
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Zechariah 14:19 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 14:19 mean?

Zechariah 14:19 says that Egypt and any other nation that refuses to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles will face a specific punishment. The verse emphasizes that this consequence is not just for Egypt, but for all nations that do not participate in this important festival.

In the context of Zechariah’s prophecy, God is speaking through Zechariah to the people of Israel about a future time when all nations are expected to honor God by coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse highlights the seriousness of honoring God’s appointed times and shows that there will be real consequences for nations that choose not to participate.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:19

  • The word "punishment" is חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt), which usually means "sin" or "sin offering" but here is understood as "punishment" or "penalty." This unusual usage hints at the idea that refusing to honor God’s festival is seen as a serious offense, almost like a sin that brings its own consequence.
  • "Nations" is גּוֹי (goy), which means "peoples" or "nations" and refers to all the non-Israelite groups. This makes clear that the warning is universal, not just directed at Egypt.
  • "Keep" is חָגַג (ḥāgag), meaning "to celebrate a festival." This word underlines that the expectation is not just attendance but active participation in the celebration.
  • "Feast" is חַג (ḥag), specifically referring to a pilgrimage festival, and "tabernacles" is סֻכּוֹת (sukkot), the festival where people dwell in temporary shelters. These words together stress the particular festival God wants honored.

Why Zechariah 14:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the expectation to honor God’s festival extends to all nations, not just Israel, showing a vision of worldwide worship.
  • The focus on Egypt, a historic rival of Israel, highlights that even powerful or distant nations are not exempt from God’s requirements.
  • Zechariah 14:19 ties into the larger theme of the chapter, which describes a future time of God’s reign when all peoples are called to recognize and worship Him in Jerusalem.

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?

“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.