Zechariah 14:18

And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The prophet Zechariah addresses post-exilic Israel, describing a future eschatological scenario where Jerusalem becomes the focal point of worship for all nations.

The words — The Hebrew מִשְׁפַּחַת (mishpaḥat) translates literally to "clan" or "family," paired with מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim) for "Egypt" to identify a specific group within the broader category of nations.

The thread — The conditional withholding of rain for unfaithful nations runs through Zechariah 14:17, 14:19, and echoes the agricultural contrast between Egypt and the Promised land in Deuteronomy 11:10.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that participation in the Feast of Tabernacles is a universal requirement, and failure to attend triggers the same covenantal curse of drought applied to all disobedient nations.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 11:10 For the land that you are entering to possess is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated on foot, like a vegetable garden.
Zechariah 14:12 And this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes all the peoples who have warred against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
Zechariah 14:15 And a similar plague will strike the horses and mules, camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.