And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

ZECHARIAH 14:4KJV
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Zechariah 14:4 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 14:4 mean?

Zechariah 14:4 describes a dramatic event where the Lord’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, causing the mountain to split in two from east to west and form a large valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. This verse paints a vivid picture of a supernatural event that changes the landscape around Jerusalem.

The prophet Zechariah is speaking to the people of Judah about a future day of the Lord, a time of God’s direct intervention in history. The verse uses concrete geography—naming the Mount of Olives and its position relative to Jerusalem—to show that this is a real, physical event, not just a symbol. The splitting of the mountain signals a moment of great upheaval and transformation, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter’s description of God’s actions.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:4

  • The word for “stand” (עָמַד, ʿamad, H5975) means to take a firm position or remain in place. In this context, it emphasizes the Lord’s personal presence and authority as He arrives at the Mount of Olives.
  • “Cleave” (בָּקַע, baqaʿ, H1234) means to split or break open. This word highlights the dramatic, forceful nature of the event, showing that the mountain is not just moved but torn apart.
  • “Valley” (גַּיְא, gay, H1516) refers to a deep, wide space created by the splitting of the mountain. This new valley is described as “very great,” stressing the scale of the change.
  • The repeated use of “half” (חֵצִי, ḥetzi, H2677) and the directions “north” (צָפוֹן, tsafon, H6828) and “south” (נֶגֶב, negev, H5045) gives a precise sense of the physical transformation, making it clear that the mountain is divided completely.

Why Zechariah 14:4 matters

  • Zechariah 14:4 clears up that the prophecy is describing a real, physical event tied to a specific location, not just a metaphorical or spiritual idea.
  • The verse connects directly to the wider theme of Zechariah 14, where God intervenes in Jerusalem’s future, showing His power over creation itself.
  • The mention of the Mount of Olives is significant in later biblical history, making this verse an important link between Old Testament prophecy and later events associated with this location.