Zechariah 14:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Any family of the earth that refuses to come up and worship the King will receive no rain upon their land.
What Does Zechariah 14:17 Mean?
The summons to worship carries a consequence: "whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth" to worship the King will have "no rain." In an agricultural world, rain is life itself, the difference between harvest and famine. To withhold rain is to bring home, in the most basic terms, what it means to turn from the source of all life.
The principle is gentle yet firm: blessing and life are bound up with worshiping the true King. To refuse him is to cut oneself off from the One who sends rain on the just and the unjust and gives every good gift. The verse is less a threat than a revelation of reality: there is no flourishing apart from God. All families of the earth are invited; the door is open to all who will come and honor the Lord.
Zechariah 14:17 in the Original Language
matar (מָטָר), 'rain' -- the rain that waters the earth, here a sign of the life and blessing that flow from worshiping the King.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 14:17
What does Zechariah 14:17 mean?
Any family of the earth that refuses to come up and worship the King will receive no rain upon their land.