Bible Strands
Zechariah 14:3
Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Zechariah addresses post-exilic Israel regarding a future crisis where hostile nations gather against Jerusalem. The declaration occurs immediately after a description of the city’s partial capture and exile, marking the precise moment Yahweh intervenes to defend the city.
The words — The Hebrew יָצָא (ya.Tza') translates literally as "he will go forth," denoting military deployment, while נִלְחַם (nil.Cham) means "he will fight." These verbs establish Yahweh’s action as direct physical engagement rather than a remote decree.
The thread — The text describes Yahweh going out to fight gathered nations, a motif repeated in Zechariah 12:9 where He sets out to destroy them, and Joel 3:9 where war is proclaimed among them. Zephaniah 3:19 extends the pattern by promising Yahweh will deal directly with all who afflict His people.
Why it lands — The verse states plainly that Yahweh will personally engage in battle against those attacking Jerusalem. It requires the reader to recognize that deliverance depends on divine intervention rather than human military strategy.
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
Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 12:9 So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
- Joel 3:9 Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack!
- Zephaniah 3:19 Behold, at that time, I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; and I will appoint praise and fame for the disgraced throughout the earth.
- Zechariah 2:8 For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—
- Exodus 15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
- Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- Joel 3:2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.
- Joshua 10:42 And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign.
- Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”