Zechariah 14:6
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: | On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. | And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedZechariah 14 describes "the day of the LORD," when nations attack Jerusalem and the LORD comes to fight for it. Verse 6 says that on that day the light will be unlike ordinary light. Verse 7 explains that it will be one unique day, known to the LORD, "not day, nor night," and that "at evening time it shall be light." Zechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:3Zechariah 14:6Zechariah 14:7
SpeakingThe prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah, delivers the LORD's message. The chapter speaks in the LORD's voice ("I will gather all nations"). Zechariah overviewZechariah 14:2
ToThe people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon. They are addressed as "thee" and "ye" in the chapter. Zechariah overviewZechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:5
Also involvedJerusalem, its people, and the nations that come against it. The whole earth is in view when the LORD becomes king. Zechariah 14:2Zechariah 14:9Zechariah 14:12
This is a prophecy about the day of the LORD. It says the light of that day will be strange, neither plainly clear nor plainly dark. The next verse says the day "shall be known to the LORD" and ends in light at evening. Zechariah 14:6Zechariah 14:7
The scene centers on Jerusalem and the mount of Olives east of the city. The book was addressed to Jerusalem and Judah. Zechariah 14:4Zechariah 14:8Zechariah overview
The events"In that day" refers to the coming day of the LORD in 14:1. On that day the LORD stands on the mount of Olives, living waters flow from Jerusalem, and the LORD becomes king over all the earth. The text does not give a date. Zechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:4Zechariah 14:8Zechariah 14:9
WrittenTraditional view: Zechariah wrote the book, and his dated messages run from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly view: many scholars assign the undated chapters 9-14 to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote the whole book. Zechariah overview
HereThe changed light shows that this day is unlike any other day. Verse 7 says it "shall be known to the LORD," and it ends with light at evening. Zechariah 14:6Zechariah 14:7
In the whole of ScriptureThe book looks toward the day when "the LORD shall be king over all the earth." Revelation 11:15 echoes this hope: "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord." Zechariah 14:9Zechariah overviewRevelation 11:15
For readersOther Scripture also speaks of light for God's people: "Light is sown for the righteous" (Psalms 97:11), and "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness" (Psalms 112:4). The just are like "the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). Psalms 97:11Psalms 112:4Proverbs 4:18
Christians read this differently
Behind "clear, nor dark," the Hebrew words are glossed "splendid [ones]" and "frost" (congelation). Some read the line as dim light that is neither bright nor dark. Others read it as the bright lights or the cold failing on that day. Readers also differ on whether this is a literal change in the sky at the LORD's coming or a picture of God's new order, since no cited Scripture explains it. Zechariah 14:6Zechariah 14:7Strong's H3368Strong's H7087BStrong's H0216
- lightאוֹר
The word's meanings include daylight, the light of the sun, moon and stars, and dawn. Verse 7 sets it beside "not day, nor night," so the verse is about the light of the day itself on the day of the LORD. Strong's H0216Zechariah 14:7
- clearיָקָר
Here the word is glossed "splendid [ones]." Its meanings include precious, rare, glorious and splendid. Strong's H3368
- darkקִפָּאוֹן
Here the word is glossed "and frost," and the lexicon defines it as thickness or congelation. That is different from the plain English word "dark." Strong's H7087B
Takeaway
The day of the LORD will be a day like no other, and it "shall be known to the LORD." Zechariah promises that "at evening time it shall be light," when the LORD reigns as king over all the earth. Zechariah 14:6Zechariah 14:7Zechariah 14:9
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and it will be | וְהָיָ֖ה | ve-ha-YAH | H1961 | to beהָיָה (ha.yah) 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) … |
| on the day | בַּיּ֣וֹם | bai-YOM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| the that | הַה֑וּא | ha-HU' | H1931 | he/she/itהוּא (hu) pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article) |
| not | לֹֽא־ | lo'- | H3808 | notלֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809) |
| it will be | יִהְיֶ֣ה | yih-YEH | H1961 | to beהָיָה (ha.yah) 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) … |
| light | א֔וֹר | 'or | H0216 | lightאוֹר (or) 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light |
| splendid [ones] | יְקָר֖וֹת | ye-ka-ROT | H3368 | preciousיָקָר (ya.qar) 1) valuable, prized, weighty, precious, rare, splendid 1a) precious 1a1) costly 1a2) precious, highly valued 1a3) precious stones or jewels 1b) rare 1c) glorious, splendid 1d) weighty, influential |
| and frost | וְקִפָּאֽוֹן׃ | ve-yik-pe-'un | H7087B | thicknessקִפָּאוֹן (qi.pa.on) congelation |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.