Zechariah 14:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

No individual brings his own vessel; rather, all utilize the consecrated ones, as it is proclaimed, 'every konob shall be holy, saith the Lord.' Although the prophet speaks of sacrifices under the old covenant, using terms like konob and boil, we must interpret this in light of Christ's era. We believe that the language of the holy prophets was deliberately veiled by grace, restricting understanding to the saints and preventing such sacred truths from being cast to the dogs (Matthew 7:6) or revealed to the unclean and profane. Hananei shall not be ktome in the temple of the Lord Almighty during his time. The ancients displayed a weak and impoverished understanding. The Israelites were led by Moses out of Egypt, liberated from oppressive bondage, having witnessed numerous miraculous signs; they ultimately crossed the sea, partook of bread from heaven, and drank water that sprang from the rock in the wilderness (Ex. 14:1, 16ff. Num. 20:1-13). Yet, in their despair without Moses, they created a golden calf (Ex. 32ff.), and as the prophet notes, they recognized 'the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of their god Rephanes, the images which they had made for themselves' to worship (Am. 5 cf. Acts 7:43). Thus, they perished, for 'their bones fell in the wilderness' (Heb. 3:17). Later, their descendants, guided by Jesus, crossed the Jordan, but in time, when ruled by judges, they returned to servitude to idols. Even during the era of the holy prophets, they offered sacrifices to golden calves fashioned by the cursed Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-33). Moreover, they erected shrines and altars and worshipped Baal, Hamos, Astarte, and Beelzebub. Such transgressions were not limited to the common folk; many priests also strayed from the truth. Thus, God declared through the prophet, 'The priests have not said, “Where is the Lord?” and those who uphold the law have not sought me; the shepherds have not contended for me, and the prophets prophesied unto Baal, and have followed idols' (Jeremiah 2:8). The prophet Ezekiel witnessed about twenty-five of Israel’s elders, 'having their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces straight toward the east, worshipping the sun' (Ezekiel 8:16). Numerous examples of such indifference could be gathered, but these suffice to illustrate their intrinsic disinterest in learning. Therefore, the ancients wavered, as God lamented, 'They loved to wander and were not restrained; thus, I did not accept them' (Jer. 14:10). They were easily seduced by idolatry and, as descendants of Israel, zealously emulated the pagan Canaanites. However, when the only-begotten Word of God took on our nature and justified those who believe, sealing them with the Holy Spirit through His grace, our minds were made steadfast, secure, and unwavering, strengthened in godliness. No one can convince the sanctified to honor any deity other than the true God, whom we know through Christ, for He revealed the Father in Himself, declaring, 'He that seeth me seeth the Father' (John 14:9). Thus, 'during his time, saith he, there shall be no Canaanite, that is, foreigner and idolater, in the temple of the Lord Almighty'; for, as I mentioned, we are established in faith, adorned with the crown of perseverance through Christ, to whom and with whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Furthermore, the prophet declares that, "And the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy to the Lord of hosts; those who sacrifice shall come and take them, and cook in them." The sacred vessels in the Lord's temple will be revered; even the everyday pots used for cooking will be held in similar esteem by outsiders as the Israelites regard the bowls on the altar. Every pot, not only within the temple and the holy city but throughout all of Judea, will be deemed "holy to the Lord." This reverence will be shared by both Jews and Gentiles, recognizing it as sacred. These prophetic words signify, above all, a deep respect for the saving Law that would emerge from Judea and, additionally, an improvement following the waters of Holy Baptism. Both Jews and Gentiles, previously mere earthly vessels, will transform into bowls filled with incense through the grace of Holy Baptism.

We previously discussed the significance of the bowls at the altar of the Lord, into which the cauldrons of Israel will be transformed. The bride in the Song of Songs extols her beloved: "His cheeks are bowls of fragrance" (Song 5:13). The term cheeks signifies words emanating from the Lord, emanating the incense of diverse types; the aroma will be so profound that the Lord will fashion a scourge from the testimonies of Scripture to drive out from the temple all those who engage in commerce, proclaiming to them, “My Father’s house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations; but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matt. 21:13).

Some interpreters connect this passage with the prophet Daniel’s statement regarding “the seed of Canaan” rather than “the seed of Judah” (Dan. 13:56), even though such wording is absent from the Hebrew text. They also refer to Hosea’s words about Ephraim, stating that Ephraim, who is associated with idols, has initiated temptation within himself; he calls the Canaanites fornicators who give in to immorality (Hos. 4:17-18). These commentators propose that both Canaanite and foreigner may represent any individual engaged in immoral behavior, whom they argue should be excluded from the house of God.