And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

ZECHARIAH 14:5KJV
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Zechariah 14:5 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 14:5 mean?

Zechariah 14:5 describes a time when people will flee through a valley created by the mountains, reaching as far as a place called Azal, just as they once fled during an earthquake in King Uzziah’s days. The verse then declares that the LORD will come, accompanied by all his holy ones.

Zechariah, speaking to the people of Jerusalem, uses the memory of a past earthquake to help them understand the urgency and scale of the coming event. The verse is part of a larger prophecy about a dramatic day when God intervenes in Jerusalem’s troubles, promising both upheaval and divine presence.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 14:5

  • The word "flee" (נוּס, nus, H5127) is used repeatedly, emphasizing a sudden and urgent escape, not just a calm departure.
  • "Valley" (גֵּיא, gei, H1516) and "mountains" (הַר, har, H2022) together paint a picture of a split or opening in the landscape, suggesting a miraculous escape route.
  • "Azal" (אָצַל, Azal, H682) is a place name that is not clearly identified today, but its mention shows the specific and far-reaching nature of the escape.
  • "Earthquake" (רַעַשׁ, ra‘ash, H7494) refers to a real historical event remembered by the people, grounding the prophecy in shared experience.

Why Zechariah 14:5 matters

  • The verse connects a future act of God with a remembered disaster, helping the listeners grasp the seriousness of what is coming.
  • By mentioning the LORD arriving with "all the saints" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh, H6918), Zechariah highlights the idea of divine intervention and the presence of holy ones, which is a key theme in the chapter.
  • The reference to fleeing as in the days of Uzziah ties the prophecy to a specific historical memory, making the warning feel immediate and real to its original audience.