Zechariah 14:5-7
5Then you will escape ▼▼ For the MT reading נַסְתֶּם (nastem, “you will escape”) the LXX presupposes נִסְתַּם (nistam, “will be stopped up”; this reading is followed by NAB). This appears to derive from a perceived need to eliminate the unexpected “you” as subject. This not only is unnecessary to Hebrew discourse (see “you” in the next clause), but it contradicts the statement in the previous verse that the mountain will be split open, not stopped up.
through my mountain valley, for the mountains will extend to Azal. ▼▼ Azal is a place otherwise unknown.
Indeed, you will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah ▼ of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come with all his holy ones with him. 6On that day there will be no light – the sources of light in the heavens will congeal. ▼▼ Heb “the splendid will congeal.” This difficult phrase (MT יְקָרוֹת יְקִפָּאוֹן, yeqarot yeqippa’on) is not clarified by the LXX which presupposes וְקָרוּת וְקִפָּאוֹן (veqarut veqippa’on, “and cold and ice,” a reading followed by NAB, NIV, NCV, NRSV, TEV). Besides the fact that cold and ice do not necessarily follow the absence of light, the idea here is that day will be night and night day. The heavenly sources of light “freeze up” as it were, and refuse to shine.
7It will happen in one day (a day known to the Lord); not in the day or the night, but in the evening there will be light. ▼
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