יִסֹּ֨וב כָּל־הָאָ֤רֶץ כָּעֲרָבָה֙ מִגֶּ֣בַע לְרִמֹּ֔ון נֶ֖גֶב יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וְֽרָאֲמָה֩ וְיָשְׁבָ֨ה תַחְתֶּ֜יהָ לְמִשַּׁ֣עַר בִּנְיָמִ֗ן עַד־מְקֹ֞ום שַׁ֤עַר הָֽרִאשֹׁון֙ עַד־שַׁ֣עַר הַפִּנִּ֔ים וּמִגְדַּ֣ל חֲנַנְאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד יִקְבֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Zechariah 14:10 offers a visionary description of cosmic transformation and urban restoration. This verse is structured around two prophetic verbal themes: the flattening of the land (יִסֹּוב כָּל־הָאָרֶץ כָּעֲרָבָה) and the exaltation and permanence of יְרוּשָׁלַיִם. The grammar is layered with imperfect verbs in prophetic narrative style, construct chains of geographical markers, and clause parallelism that visually maps a restructured holy land. The syntax does more than describe—it enacts a theological vision through Hebrew form.
Literal Translation
“All the land shall be turned like the Arabah from Geva to Rimmon south of Yerushalayim, and she (Jerusalem) shall rise and dwell in her place, from the Gate of Binyamin to the place of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Ḥananeʾl to the king’s winepresses.”
Word-by-Word Morphology
- יִסֹּוב (yissōv) –
Root: ס־ב־ב;
Form: Nifal imperfect 3ms;
Translation: “shall be turned / changed / encircled”;
Notes: Here, passive sense: “shall be transformed.” - כָּל־הָאָרֶץ (kol-hāʾārets) –
Root: א־ר־ץ;
Form: construct noun + definite noun;
Translation: “all the land” - כָּעֲרָבָה (kaʿărāvāh) –
Root: ע־ר־ב;
Form: preposition + noun with article;
Translation: “like the Arabah” (the flat plain) - מִגֶּבַע לְרִמֹּון (miggevaʿ lərimmōn) –
Root: ג־ב־ע, ר־מ־ן;
Form: preposition + proper names;
Translation: “from Geva to Rimmon”;
Notes: Geographic markers indicating north to south. - נֶגֶב יְרוּשָׁלִַם (negev Yerushalayim) –
Root: נ־ג־ב;
Form: directional noun + proper noun;
Translation: “south of Yerushalayim” - וְרָאֲמָה (wəraʾămāh) –
Root: ר־ו־ם;
Form: Qal perfect 3fs with vav;
Translation: “and she shall be raised / exalted”;
Notes: Feminine subject = Jerusalem - וְיָשְׁבָה תַּחְתֶּיהָ (wəyāshəvāh taḥtêhā) –
Root: י־שׁ־ב;
Form: Qal perfect 3fs + prepositional phrase;
Translation: “and she shall dwell in her place”;
Notes: Stresses permanence and divine stability. - לְמִשַּׁעַר בִּנְיָמִן עַד… (ləmišshaʿar Binyamin ʿad…) –
Root: שׁ־ע־ר;
Form: prepositional phrase with locations;
Translation: “from the Gate of Binyamin to…”
Notes: A chain of boundary points around Jerusalem follows.
Topographic Transformation in Verbal Sequence
The Nifal imperfect יִסֹּוב sets the tone: passive, expansive change. The entire land is flattened “like the Arabah,” signaling radical geo-theological alteration. Then comes וְרָאֲמָה, a Qal perfect verb meaning “was lifted up.” This contrastive sequence highlights that while all land is lowered, Jerusalem is exalted—grammatically and geographically.
Poetic Geography and Spatial Syntax
The verse lists boundaries from Gate of Binyamin to First Gate, Corner Gate, Tower of Ḥananeʾl, and king’s winepresses. This enumeration evokes a symbolic map encircling a reestablished, glorified Jerusalem. The construct chain מִשַּׁעַר … עַד … functions like measured liturgical poetry—each phrase another brick in the prophetic reconstruction of the city.
Grammar That Elevates Zion
Zechariah 14:10 employs imperfect verbs for eschatological vision and perfect verbs to emphasize established reality. The grammatical juxtaposition between flattening (יִסֹּוב) and elevation (וְרָאֲמָה) isn’t just stylistic—it’s theological. In the last day, the grammar of the world is rewritten: valleys rise, pride falls, and Jerusalem alone is lifted up to endure in God’s presence.
