Zechariah 14:20-21
And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the LORD of hosts on that day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The prophecy doesn't just elevate religious items; it transforms the utterly mundane. The inscription "Holy to the LORD" on horse bells suggests that even common, everyday objects and activities, like travel or work, will be so thoroughly infused with God's presence that they're set apart for Him. This highlights that holiness isn't confined to sacred spaces but permeates all of life.
This passage comes at the very end of Zechariah's prophecy, painting a glorious picture of a transformed world after God's judgment and ultimate victory. Following visions of Jerusalem's restoration and the nations' submission, these final verses describe the pervasive holiness that will characterize God's people and His dwelling place. It's a future where even the most ordinary, secular items, like horse trappings, will be dedicated to the Lord, and every implement in God's house will be as sacred as the most holy altar vessels.
Imagine a world where even the ordinary objects of daily life are marked with divine purpose. Zechariah paints a picture of this future, transforming our understanding of what it means for everything to be 'Holy to the LORD.'
Zechariah 14:20 declares that on 'that day,' even the 'bells of the horses' will bear the inscription 'Holy to the LORD.' This wasn't just a ritualistic marking; it signified a profound transformation.
The Ordinary Made Sacred
In the Old Testament, specific objects and places were designated as holy, set apart for God's exclusive use. The high priest's turban, for instance, carried the inscription 'Holiness to the LORD' (Exodus 28:36), marking his unique role and the sacredness of his service.
Zechariah, however, expands this concept dramatically. He states that common, secular items like horse trappings—things associated with warfare, travel, and daily labor—will also be recognized as belonging to God. This doesn't mean the items themselves change, but rather their use and the attitude of the user are consecrated. Everything, in essence, becomes a vessel for God's glory.
A New Covenant Reality
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This future vision points to the reality inaugurated by Jesus Christ. In the new covenant, believers are called to live lives of holiness, offering themselves as 'living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1). This means that every aspect of life—our work, our possessions, our interactions—can and should be dedicated to God, reflecting His holiness.
What happens when the 'ordinary' in God's house becomes as sacred as the most revered items? Zechariah reveals a future where even the humblest temple vessels are elevated to a new level of holiness.
The verse continues, 'And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be like the bowls before the altar.' This comparison highlights a significant elevation of everything within God's dwelling place.
Distinguishing Sacred Vessels
In the Old Testament sanctuary, there was a hierarchy of sacredness. The 'bowls before the altar' were directly involved in the sacrificial system, receiving the blood that atoned for sin. They were considered highly sacred.
'Pots' in the house of the Lord, on the other hand, were often used for more common tasks, like boiling the meat of certain sacrifices for priests to eat (as seen in 1 Samuel 2:14 or 2 Chronicles 35:13). While still serving God, they were of lesser ceremonial status than the altar vessels.
Universal Consecration
Zechariah's prophecy declares that in the future day, this distinction will largely disappear. The 'pots'—the less esteemed utensils—will be like the 'bowls'—the most sacred. This means that all items within God's house, from the highest to the lowest, will be infused with a profound holiness.
This speaks to the completeness of God's redemptive work and the ultimate sanctification of His people and His dwelling place, the Church. Every part of worship and service, no matter how humble, will be recognized as precious and holy in God's sight.
Understand the original words
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
That which is set apart from common use and dedicated entirely to God's service and presence; it carries the idea of absolute purity and moral perfection.
bayith · Hebrew Noun
The physical location of God's presence among His people, serving as the center for sacrificial worship, prayer, and divine habitation.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place or object where sacrifices and offerings are made to God; it symbolizes the necessary means of atonement and reconciliation between God and man.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being set apart for God's use, free from common or profane use, and morally pure in His sight. It signifies a radical consecration to the Lord's service and presence.
tseba’ot · Hebrew Noun
A title used for God that emphasizes His sovereignty over the vast armies of heaven, including angels and the stellar bodies. It highlights His supreme power and authority as the commander of all heavenly and earthly forces.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
A ritual act of offering an animal or gift to God, primarily as an act of worship, thanksgiving, or for the atonement of sin. In the New Covenant, this is fulfilled ultimately in the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, though the concept remains central to the believer's response to God.
kena'ani · Hebrew Noun
One who engages in buying and selling for profit; often used in scripture to describe those whose primary motivation is material gain rather than worship. In the context of the Temple, it refers to those who commercialize the holy space.
bayit · Hebrew Noun
The physical dwelling place of God's presence on earth among His people. It signifies the center of worship, divine encounter, and the administration of God's rule.
Zechariah's prophecy envisions a future restoration where even the most mundane aspects of life and common objects are utterly consecrated to God, a stark contrast to the spiritual compromises and corruptions seen during the post-exilic period when the prophet Malachi had to confront the people and priests.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
After seventy years in exile, a remnant of Jews, sanctioned by Cyrus the Great, returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city.
c. 515 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple was dedicated, marking a significant spiritual and national renewal for the returning exiles, though it lacked the glory of Solomon's Temple.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Reforms
Nehemiah led a mission to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls and enforce religious and social reforms among the people, addressing issues like debt and intermarriage.
Late 5th Century BC
Malachi's Ministry
Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, ministered during a time of spiritual apathy and corruption, rebuking the people and priests for their half-hearted worship and unfaithfulness.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Writing of Zechariah
Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet, delivered visions and prophecies concerning the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah, culminating in this vision of ultimate holiness.
This passage describes the golden plate inscribed with 'Holy to the LORD' that the high priest wore, directly mirroring the inscription mentioned on the bells of the horses in Zechariah, highlighting the elevation of the common to the sacred.
1 Corinthians 10:31Paul's encouragement to 'do all to the glory of God' echoes the sentiment of Zechariah 14:20, suggesting that even everyday activities and objects, like the bells of horses, can and should be dedicated to God's service in the New Covenant era.
Colossians 3:17This verse broadens the concept of 'holiness to the LORD' by stating that 'whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,' reinforcing the idea that all aspects of life, secular and sacred, are to be consecrated to God.
Isaiah 23:18While describing the future of Tyre, this verse states that its 'profit and merchandise shall be holiness to the LORD,' showing a similar prophetic vision of secular commerce and gain being transformed into something sacred for God's glory.
bensonZechariah 14:20: "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar."
Zechariah 14:20-21 . In that day — When the nations are converted to God, as is foretold Zechariah 14:16 ; shall there be upon the bells of the horses — Written, as it were, on every common thing; HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD — This was the inscription on the mitre of the Jewish high-priest, denoting the great holiness of his of…
cambridgeZechariah 14:20: "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar."
20 . Holiness unto the Lord ] Holy unto the Lord , R. V., and so in Zechariah 14:21 ; Exodus 28:36 . pots in the Lord’s house ] 1 Samuel 2:14 ; 2 Chronicles 35:13 . bowls before the altar ] chap. Zechariah 9:15 , note. 20, 21. The perfect and crowning holiness of Jerusalem and Judah The ornaments of worldly pomp and warlik…
The prophecy doesn't just elevate religious items; it transforms the utterly mundane. The inscription "Holy to the LORD" on horse bells suggests that even common, everyday objects and activities, like travel or work, will be so thoroughly infused with God's presence that they're set apart for Him. This highlights that holiness isn't confined to sacred spaces but permeates all of life.
This passage comes at the very end of Zechariah's prophecy, painting a glorious picture of a transformed world after God's judgment and ultimate victory. Following visions of Jerusalem's restoration and the nations' submission, these final verses describe the pervasive holiness that will characterize God's people and His dwelling place. It's a future where even the most ordinary, secular items, like horse trappings, will be dedicated to the Lord, and every implement in God's house will be as sacred as the most holy altar vessels.
This passage comes at the very end of Zechariah's prophecy, painting a glorious picture of a transformed world after God's judgment and ultimate victory. Following visions of Jerusalem's restoration and the nations' submission, these final verses describe the pervasive holiness that will characterize God's people and His dwelling place. It's a future where even the most ordinary, secular items, like horse trappings, will be dedicated to the Lord, and every implement in God's house will be as sacred as the most holy altar vessels.
"And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts,…" — The prophecy doesn't just elevate religious items; it transforms the utterly mundane. The inscription "Holy to the LORD" on horse bells suggests that even common, everyday objects and activities, lik…
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