Zechariah 14:8
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. | And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike. | And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedZechariah 14 describes "the day of the LORD", when the LORD fights for Jerusalem, stands on the mount of Olives, and becomes "king over all the earth." Verse 8 is one of the signs of that day: fresh, flowing water goes out from Jerusalem, east and west, all year round. It sits between the strange day that is "not day, nor night" (v.7) and the LORD's reign over all the earth (v.9). Zechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:3Zechariah 14:4Zechariah 14:7Zechariah 14:8Zechariah 14:9
SpeakingThe prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah, speaks the LORD's word. In this chapter the LORD speaks in the first person ("I will gather all nations"). Zechariah overviewZechariah 14:2
ToThe people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. The chapter addresses Jerusalem directly ("ye shall flee"). Zechariah overviewZechariah 14:5
Also involvedJerusalem and the land around it, which the waters reach to the east and west. The nations are affected too: those who will not come up to worship the King get no rain. Zechariah 14:8Zechariah 14:10Zechariah 14:17
In that day "living waters" go out from Jerusalem. Half flow toward the former (eastern) sea and half toward the hinder (western) sea. They flow "in summer and in winter," so they do not stop with the seasons. Zechariah 14:8Strong's H2416AStrong's H6931GStrong's H0314Strong's H2779
The waters start in Jerusalem. The Salt Sea lies east of the city and the Great Sea lies to the west. The Hebrew word for sea can mean the Dead Sea or the Mediterranean, among other bodies of water. Zechariah 14:8JerusalemSalt SeaGreat SeaStrong's H3220G
The eventsThe verse looks ahead to "that day," the day of the LORD described through the chapter. The text gives no date for it. Zechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:8Strong's H3117G
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8 come from Zechariah then, but chapters 9-14, where this verse stands, carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers. Zechariah overview
HereThe flowing waters show that when the LORD is king, Jerusalem becomes a source of life for the land. The same chapter warns that nations who refuse to come and worship the King will have no rain. Zechariah 14:8Zechariah 14:9Zechariah 14:17
In the whole of ScriptureOther Scripture gives the same picture. Joel says "a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD." Revelation shows "a pure river of water of life" flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, with leaves "for the healing of the nations." Joel 3:18Revelation 22:1Revelation 22:2
For readersJesus used the same words, "living water." He called it "the gift of God," said whoever drinks the water he gives "shall never thirst," and said rivers of living water would flow from the one who believes on him. John 4:10John 4:14John 7:38
Christians read this differently
The text does not say whether the waters are a literal river or a picture, and no cited Scripture names what they stand for. Some read a real river flowing from Jerusalem in a coming age, since the passage gives physical details like the split mount of Olives and the two seas. Others read it as a picture of God's life going out to the world, linking it to Jesus' "living water" or to the river of life in Revelation 22. Zechariah 14:4Zechariah 14:8John 7:38John 4:14Revelation 22:1
- livingחַי
Used of water, the word means "flowing, fresh." So the verse pictures running, life-giving water, not still water. Strong's H2416AZechariah 14:8
- formerקַדְמֹנִי
The word means "former" but also "eastern." So "the former sea" is the sea to the east of Jerusalem. Strong's H6931GSalt Sea
- hinderאַחֲרוֹן
The word means "behind" and also "western" when used of place. So "the hinder sea" is the sea to the west. Strong's H0314Great Sea
- winterחֹ֫רֶף
The word can mean harvest time or winter. Paired with "summer," it shows the waters flow through every season of the year. Strong's H2779Strong's H7019Zechariah 14:8
Takeaway
Zechariah 14:8 promises that in the day the LORD reigns, fresh water will flow from Jerusalem east and west and never stop. Scripture repeats the picture of life-giving water from God's presence, from Joel's fountain to Revelation's river of life. Jesus spoke of living water he gives, so that whoever drinks it shall never thirst. Zechariah 14:8Zechariah 14:9Joel 3:18Revelation 22:1John 4:14
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.
Where
- Great Sea body of waterMapAbout this place
- Jerusalem settlementMapAbout this place
- Salt Sea body of waterMapAbout this place
Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and it will be | וְהָיָ֣ה׀ | 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 | הַה֗וּא | 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) |
| they will go out | יֵצְא֤וּ | ye-tze-'U | H3318L | to come out: comeיָצָא (ya.tsa) : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth |
| waters | מַֽיִם־ | ma-yim- | H4325G | waterמַי (ma.yim) 1) water, waters 1a) water 1b) water of the feet, urine 1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.) |
| living | חַיִּים֙ | chai-YIM | H2416A | aliveחַי (chay) adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417) |
| from Jerusalem | מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם | mi-RU-sha-LIM | H3389 | Arielאֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el) Ariel = "lion of God" or "lioness of God" Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) |
| half of them | חֶצְיָ֗ם | chetz-YAM | H2677 | halfחֲצִי (che.tsi) 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle |
| to | אֶל־ | 'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the sea | הַיָּם֙ | hai-YAM | H3220G | seaיָם (yam) : sea 1) sea 1a) Mediterranean Sea 1b) Red Sea 1c) Dead Sea 1d) Sea of Galilee 1e) sea (general) 1f) mighty river (Nile) 1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court) 1h) seaward, west, westward |
| the eastern | הַקַּדְמוֹנִ֔י | ha-kad-mo-NI | H6931G | easternקַדְמֹנִי (qad.mo.ni) : eastern 1) former, ancient, eastern 1a) former, ancient 1b) eastern Also means: qad.mo.ni (קַדְמֹנִי ": older" H6931H) |
| and half of them | וְחֶצְיָ֖ם | ve-chetz-YAM | H2677 | halfחֲצִי (che.tsi) 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle |
| to | אֶל־ | 'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the sea | הַיָּ֣ם | hai-YAM | H3220G | seaיָם (yam) : sea 1) sea 1a) Mediterranean Sea 1b) Red Sea 1c) Dead Sea 1d) Sea of Galilee 1e) sea (general) 1f) mighty river (Nile) 1g) the sea (the great basin in the temple court) 1h) seaward, west, westward |
| the western | הָאַחֲר֑וֹן | ha-'a-cha-RON | H0314 | lastאַחֲרוֹן (a.cha.ron) 1) behind, following, subsequent, western 1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location) 1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time) |
| in the summer | בַּקַּ֥יִץ | ba-KA-yitz | H7019 | summerקַ֫יִט (qa.yit) summer Aramaic of qa.yits (קַ֫יִץ "summer" H7019) |
| and in the winter | וּבָחֹ֖רֶף | u-va-CHO-ref | H2779 | autumnחֹ֫רֶף (cho.reph) 1) harvest time, autumn 2) (CLBL) winter |
| it will be | יִֽהְיֶֽה׃ | 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) … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.