Zechariah 14:5
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Despite God's promise of refuge, the people will still flee in terror, like they did during the Uzziah earthquake. This isn't a sign of doubt, but a testament to the overwhelming awe and majesty of God's presence, even when He comes to save.
And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet describes a cataclysmic event where the Mount of Olives splits, creating a valley for God's people to escape through, reminiscent of the terror felt during a past earthquake. This dramatic deliverance culminates in the awe-inspiring arrival of the Lord Himself, accompanied by His holy ones.
When God's judgment falls, creating chaos, He also carves out paths for His people.
Zechariah paints a picture of a dramatic, divinely-orchestrated earthquake that splits mountains, creating a literal valley. This isn't just a random geological event; it's God's direct intervention. The valley isn't a place to hide from God, but a path through His actions, leading His people to safety. This valley, called 'the valley of My mountains,' emphasizes that God has prepared this escape route for His own.
The memory of past disasters can amplify our fear, but God uses it to show His faithfulness.
The prophet specifically mentions fleeing from an earthquake in the days of King Uzziah. This historical event, though not detailed in Kings or Chronicles, was clearly a significant and terrifying experience for the people. Zechariah uses this shared, traumatic memory to describe the intensity of the future flight. It highlights how God’s interventions, while bringing salvation, can also be awe-inspiring and fear-inducing. The people flee like they fled before, showing that even in deliverance, there's a recognition of God's immense power.
When God arrives, it's not a solitary appearance, but a grand procession that shakes the earth and secures His people.
The climax of this passage is God's arrival. 'The LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.' This isn't just a metaphorical presence; it’s an active, glorious appearing. The 'holy ones' are understood to be angels, a heavenly host accompanying God. This signifies the ultimate vindication of God and the complete salvation of His people. His coming is both terrifying to His enemies and the ultimate guarantee of safety for those who flee to His prepared refuge.
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Understand the original words
ra'ash · Hebrew Noun
A sudden, violent shaking of the earth, often used as a metaphor or sign of the presence of God or the intensity of His judgment.
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those set apart or consecrated to God; in this context, it refers to heavenly beings or the glorified saints who accompany the Lord in His return.
Zechariah's prophecy draws on the memory of a devastating earthquake during King Uzziah's reign to describe a future cataclysmic event, likely alluding to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. This historical memory serves as a powerful reference point for the terror and divine intervention he foretells.
c. 760 BC
Great Earthquake in Judah
A significant earthquake struck the region of Judah during the reign of King Uzziah, causing widespread fear and remembered for generations.
c. 759 BC
Amos Prophesies
The prophet Amos references the great earthquake as a sign of God's judgment, placing his prophetic activity shortly after the event.
c. 740 BC
Uzziah's Reign Ends
King Uzziah's long reign concludes, a period marked by both prosperity and a significant natural disaster (the earthquake).
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem is destroyed and many Judeans are exiled to Babylon, a catastrophic event that profoundly shaped Jewish identity and religious thought.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem, marking the beginning of rebuilding the Temple and the city.
c. 480-470 BC— this verse
Zechariah's Ministry
Zechariah prophesies to the returning exiles, encouraging them to rebuild the Temple and offering visions of future restoration and divine intervention.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem by Rome
Jerusalem and its Temple are destroyed by the Roman army during the First Jewish-Roman War, a cataclysmic event that many believe Zechariah's prophecy alludes to.
This passage directly references the same earthquake in the days of Uzziah that Zechariah points to, highlighting its historical significance and impact.
Isaiah 2:19This passage describes people fleeing and hiding from the terror of the Lord's majesty, echoing the fear and flight mentioned in Zechariah as God comes to manifest Himself.
Matthew 24:30-31This New Testament passage describes the glorious arrival of the Son of Man with angels, paralleling Zechariah's vision of the Lord coming with His holy ones.
Revelation 1:7This prophecy speaks of every eye seeing Christ come with the clouds, aligning with the awe-inspiring, visible manifestation of God and His holy ones described in Zechariah.
Luke 21:28This verse speaks of looking up and lifting up heads when deliverance is near, which resonates with the prophet's sudden exclamatory address to God as He comes in glory, signaling imminent salvation.
cambridgeZechariah 14:5: "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."
5 . to the valley of the mountains ] Rather, by the valley of My mountains, i.e. a way of escape from the city shall be opened to you along the valley formed by My mountains, those mountains, that is, which I have…
gillZechariah 14:5: "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."
And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains,.... To seek for shelter and safety in them, for fear of the Lord, and the glory of his majesty, whom every eye shall see, Isaiah 2:19 , for the valley of the mounta…
Despite God's promise of refuge, the people will still flee in terror, like they did during the Uzziah earthquake. This isn't a sign of doubt, but a testament to the overwhelming awe and majesty of God's presence, even when He comes to save.
The prophet describes a cataclysmic event where the Mount of Olives splits, creating a valley for God's people to escape through, reminiscent of the terror felt during a past earthquake. This dramatic deliverance culminates in the awe-inspiring arrival of the Lord Himself, accompanied by His holy ones.
The prophet describes a cataclysmic event where the Mount of Olives splits, creating a valley for God's people to escape through, reminiscent of the terror felt during a past earthquake. This dramatic deliverance culminates in the awe-inspiring arrival of the Lord Himself, accompanied by His holy ones.
"And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy…" — Despite God's promise of refuge, the people will still flee in terror, like they did during the Uzziah earthquake. This isn't a sign of doubt, but a testament to the overwhelming awe and majesty of G…
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Last reviewed October 2026
