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.

Where else these words appear

“Azal” Hebrew H682 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 8:37 And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
  • 1 Chronicles 8:38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:43 And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

“earthquake” Hebrew H7494 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
  • Isaiah 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
  • Ezekiel 12:18 Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;

“Uzziah” Hebrew H5818 · used in 26 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

“valley” Hebrew H1516 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
  • Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: