Definition: And it shall be, [that] whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 14:17. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic prophecy in the Bible. Here’s an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about a future time when God will punish those who don't worship Him. The core message is that if people don’t go to Jerusalem – the central city of Jewish faith – to worship God, there will be a terrible consequence. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Zechariah 14:17” : This is the verse itself, and it's from a book called Zechariah, which was written during a time of great upheaval in Jewish history. “And it shall be…” : This is a future prediction – something that will happen in the future . It’s not happening now; it’s about to happen later. “[that] whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem” : This is the key part. "The families of the earth" refers to all humanity – every single person on the planet. “Come up” means to go to a specific place, specifically Jerusalem. “to worship the King, the LORD of hosts” : This means to worship God directly – not through priests or leaders, but with complete devotion and adoration. It’s about recognizing Him as the supreme ruler of everything. “even upon them shall be no rain.” This is the shocking part! The verse says that if people don't go to Jerusalem to worship, there will be a drought – a severe lack of rainfall. Rain is essential for agriculture, and without it, crops fail, animals die, and life suffers. What does this all mean? This prophecy highlights several important themes: God’s Sovereignty: God is in control of everything, and He has a plan for his people. Judgment: The verse warns against rejecting God's authority and invites judgment upon those who do so. Importance of Worship: True worship involves recognizing the true identity and power of God. It’s more than just saying prayers or offering sacrifices; it’s about a deep, personal relationship with Him. Historical Context: It’s important to note that this prophecy was written during a period of intense conflict in Jewish history. The Jewish people were facing threats from Babylon and other empires. This verse is seen as a warning against rebellion and a call for faithfulness and obedience to God's will, even in the face of adversity. In short: This verse predicts a devastating consequence if humanity doesn’t recognize and worship God – specifically by going to Jerusalem to pray. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss its symbolism? Compare it to other biblical prophecies?