Introduction to Zechariah 14:20
This prophetic verse describes a future day when even the most ordinary objects—like horse bells and temple bowls—will be consecrated to YHWH. The structure features nominal clauses framed with temporal expressions and sacred attributions. The phrase קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה (“Holy to YHWH”) is key to understanding how Biblical Hebrew marks objects with cultic holiness. This lesson explores the grammatical structure of nominal clauses introduced by time expressions and the use of attributive holiness phrases.
בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֗וּא יִֽהְיֶה֙ עַל־מְצִלֹּ֣ות הַסּ֔וּס קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֤ה הַסִּירֹות֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה כַּמִּזְרָקִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
Analysis of Key Words and Structures
- בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֗וּא (bayyom hahu) – “On that day.”
- Preposition בְּ + definite noun יֹּום (“day”) with definite article הַ־.
- הַהוּא (“that”) is a demonstrative pronoun modifying יֹּום.
- This is a common eschatological phrase marking a future divine intervention.
- יִֽהְיֶה֙ עַל־מְצִלֹּ֣ות הַסּ֔וּס (yihyeh ʿal-metsillot hassus) – “It shall be on the bells of the horses.”
- Verb יִֽהְיֶה is Qal imperfect 3ms from היה (“to be”), introducing a nominal clause.
- Preposition עַל + construct מְצִלּוֹת (“bells”) + הַסּוּס (“the horse”).
- This clause introduces the subject: something will be upon the bells.
- קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָ֑ה (qodesh laYHWH) – “Holy to YHWH.”
- קֹ֖דֶשׁ (“holiness” or “holy”) is the predicate of the nominal clause.
- לַיהוָה is a lamed prepositional phrase marking dedication to YHWH.
- This phrase parallels the inscription on the high priest’s forehead (Exodus 28:36).
- וְהָיָ֤ה הַסִּירֹות֙ (vehayah hassirot) – “And the pots shall be.”
- Wayyiqtol form וְהָיָה links the second clause.
- הַסִּירוֹת is the subject: “the cooking pots.”
- בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה (beveit YHWH) – “In the house of YHWH.”
- Prepositional phrase showing location. בֵּית is in construct with the divine name.
- כַּמִּזְרָקִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ (kammizraqim lifnei hammizbeaḥ) – “Like the basins before the altar.”
- כְּ־ marks comparison. מִזְרָקִים (“sprinkling bowls”) were sacred vessels.
- לִפְנֵי (“before”) + הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (“the altar”) describes placement or ritual proximity.
Nominal Clauses and Sanctification Syntax in Ritual Prophecy
Zechariah 14:20 uses two coordinated nominal clauses to declare that ordinary objects will attain sacred status:
- יִֽהְיֶה… קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָ֑ה – “It shall be… holy to YHWH”
- וְהָיָה הַסִּירֹות… כַּמִּזְרָקִים – “And the pots shall be… like the basins”
These constructions omit the verb “to be” in present tense but include it explicitly in future form with היה, typical in Biblical Hebrew for predicative identification in eschatological prophecy.
The phrase קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָ֑ה is a formula for sacral designation, found elsewhere on items directly tied to the Temple or priesthood. Its appearance here on horse bells marks a radical expansion of holiness into the profane sphere.
The use of כְּ־ comparison in כַּמִּזְרָקִים shows ritual equality: cooking pots will be as holy as sacred sprinkling vessels. This collapses the division between sacred and common.
How Nominal Clauses Sanctify the Mundane in Prophetic Grammar
Zechariah 14:20 shows how grammar consecrates. The nominal structure of קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה elevates ordinary things by reclassifying them—grammatically and theologically—as holy.
The repetitive היה clauses establish a future sanctified state, one in which holiness is not confined to the altar but written on horses and cookware.
Thus, the grammatical structure becomes prophetic theology: the absence of verbal action in nominal clauses reflects not human doing but divine declaration. Holiness will simply “be.”
This verse turns syntax into sanctification—marking a world where even grammar declares, קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה.
