TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Zechariah 13

BSB·9 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1On thatהַה֗וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → a fountainמָק֣וֹרmā·qō·wr — A spring, fountain, or source of waterH4726 — Full Word Study → will beיִֽהְיֶה֙yih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → openedנִפְתָּ֔חnip̄·tāḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → to the houseלְבֵ֥יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Davidדָּוִ֖ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → and the peopleוּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣יū·lə·yō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, to cleanse them from sinלְחַטַּ֖אתlə·ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → and impurityוּלְנִדָּֽה׃ū·lə·nid·dāh — Menstrual impurity; ritual uncleanness; separationH5079 — Full Word Study →. 2Andוְהָיָה֩wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → on thatהַה֜וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַיּ֨וֹםḇay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻ֣ם׀nə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֗וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, I will eraseאַכְרִ֞ית’aḵ·rîṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → the namesשְׁמ֤וֹתšə·mō·wṯ — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the idolsהָֽעֲצַבִּים֙hā·‘ă·ṣab·bîm — Idol; carved image or object of worshipH6091 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, and they will noוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longerע֑וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → be rememberedיִזָּכְר֖וּyiz·zā·ḵə·rū — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →. I will also removeאַעֲבִ֥יר’a·‘ă·ḇîr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → the prophetsהַנְּבִיאִ֛יםhan·nə·ḇî·’îm — Prophet; one who speaks God's wordH5030 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → the spiritר֥וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of impurityהַטֻּמְאָ֖הhaṭ·ṭum·’āh — Uncleanness, impurity, filthH2932 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 3Andוְהָיָ֗הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → anyoneאִישׁ֮’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → stillעוֹד֒‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → prophesiesיִנָּבֵ֣אyin·nā·ḇê — To speak forth God's message; to prophesyH5012 — Full Word Study →, his fatherאָבִ֨יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֤וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → who bore himיֹֽלְדָיו֙yō·lə·ḏāw — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → will sayוְאָמְר֣וּwə·’ā·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to himאֵ֠לָיו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, ‘You shall notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → remain aliveתִֽחְיֶ֔הṯiḥ·yeh — To live, to preserve alive, to give lifeH2421 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have spokenדִּבַּ֖רְתָּdib·bar·tā — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → falselyשֶׁ֥קֶרše·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → in the nameבְּשֵׁ֣םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →.’ When he prophesiesבְּהִנָּבְאֽוֹ׃bə·hin·nā·ḇə·’ōw — To speak forth God's message; to prophesyH5012 — Full Word Study →, his fatherאָבִ֧יהוּ’ā·ḇî·hū — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֛וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → who bore himיֹלְדָ֖יוyō·lə·ḏāw — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → will pierce him throughוּדְקָרֻ֜הוּū·ḏə·qā·ru·hū — to pierce, stab, or woundH1856 — Full Word Study →. 4Andוְהָיָ֣ה׀wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → on thatהַה֗וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → everyאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → prophetהַנְּבִיאִ֛יםhan·nə·ḇî·’îm — Prophet; one who speaks God's wordH5030 — Full Word Study → who prophesiesבְּהִנָּֽבְאֹת֑וֹbə·hin·nā·ḇə·’ō·ṯōw — To speak forth God's message; to prophesyH5012 — Full Word Study → will be ashamedיֵבֹ֧שׁוּyê·ḇō·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study → of his visionמֵחֶזְיֹנ֖וֹmê·ḥez·yō·nōw — A vision or appearance; a divine revelationH2384 — Full Word Study →, and he will notוְלֹ֧אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → put onיִלְבְּשׁ֛וּyil·bə·šū — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → a hairyשֵׂעָ֖רśê·‘ār — Hair; hairiness; rough textureH8181 — Full Word Study → cloakאַדֶּ֥רֶת’ad·de·reṯ — Garment, robe, or cloak of dignityH155 — Full Word Study → in order toלְמַ֥עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → deceiveכַּחֵֽשׁ׃ka·ḥêš — to deceive, lie, or deal falselyH3584 — Full Word Study →. 5He will sayוְאָמַ֕רwə·’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Iאָנֹ֑כִי’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → a prophetנָבִ֖יאnā·ḇî — Prophet; one who speaks God's wordH5030 — Full Word Study →; Iאָנֹ֔כִי’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → workעֹבֵ֤ד‘ō·ḇêḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → the landאֲדָמָה֙’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I was purchased as a servantהִקְנַ֥נִיhiq·na·nî — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → in my youthמִנְּעוּרָֽי׃min·nə·‘ū·rāy — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study →.’ 6If someone asksוְאָמַ֣רwə·’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → himאֵלָ֔יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, ‘Whatמָ֧הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are theseהָאֵ֖לֶּהhā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → woundsהַמַּכּ֛וֹתham·mak·kō·wṯ — A blow, wound, or plague; physical injury or divine judgmentH4347 — Full Word Study → on your chestבֵּ֣יןbên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study →?’ he will answerוְאָמַ֕רwə·’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘These areאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the wounds I receivedהֻכֵּ֖יתִיhuk·kê·ṯî — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → in the houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of my friendsמְאַהֲבָֽי׃סmə·’a·hă·ḇāy — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →.’ 7Awakeעוּרִ֤י‘ū·rî — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study →, O swordחֶ֗רֶבḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study →, againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → My Shepherdרֹעִי֙rō·‘î — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →,againstוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the manגֶּ֣בֶרge·ḇer — Man, mighty man, strong manH1397 — Full Word Study → who is My Companionעֲמִיתִ֔י‘ă·mî·ṯî — neighbor; fellow; associateH5997 — Full Word Study →,declaresנְאֻ֖םnə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֑וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →.Strikeהַ֤ךְhaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the Shepherdהָֽרֹעֶה֙hā·rō·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →, and the sheepהַצֹּ֔אןhaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → will be scatteredוּתְפוּצֶ֣יןָū·ṯə·p̄ū·ṣe·nā — to scatter, disperse, or break apartH6327 — Full Word Study →,and I will turnוַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥יwa·hă·ši·ḇō·ṯî — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → My handיָדִ֖יyā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the little onesהַצֹּעֲרִֽים׃haṣ·ṣō·‘ă·rîm — to be small, diminished, or brought lowH6819 — Full Word Study →. 8Andוְהָיָ֤הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → in allבְכָל־ḇə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָ֙רֶץ֙hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →,declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →,two-thirdsפִּֽי־pî- — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → will be cut offיִכָּרְת֖וּyik·kā·rə·ṯū — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → and perish,but a thirdוְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖יתwə·haš·šə·li·šîṯ — Third; one of three parts; third in rank or sequenceH7992 — Full Word Study → will be leftיִוָּ֥תֶרyiw·wā·ṯer — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → in it. 9This thirdהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙haš·šə·li·šîṯ — Third; one of three parts; third in rank or sequenceH7992 — Full Word Study → I will bringוְהֵבֵאתִ֤יwə·hê·ḇê·ṯî — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → through the fireבָּאֵ֔שׁbā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →;I will refine themוּצְרַפְתִּים֙ū·ṣə·rap̄·tîm — to refine, purify, test by fireH6884 — Full Word Study → like silverהַכֶּ֔סֶףhak·ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →and test themוּבְחַנְתִּ֖יםū·ḇə·ḥan·tîm — to test, examine, or prove through trialH974 — Full Word Study → like goldהַזָּהָ֑בhaz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →.They will callיִקְרָ֣אyiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → on My nameבִשְׁמִ֗יḇiš·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →,and Iוַֽאֲנִי֙wa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will answer themאֶעֱנֶ֣ה’e·‘ĕ·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →.I will sayאָמַ֙רְתִּי֙’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘They are My peopleעַמִּ֣י‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →,’and theyה֔וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will sayיֹאמַ֖רyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘The LORD is our Godאֱלֹהָֽי׃ס’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →.’”
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Zechariah 13
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Zechariah 13 describes the spiritual cleansing and restoration that will accompany the coming of the Messiah. The chapter opens with the promise of a fountain of forgiveness, moves through a severe purging of false prophecy and idolatry, and culminates in the piercing of the Shepherd (a direct messianic prophecy fulfilled in Christ's crucifixion). Though the passage contains difficult imagery, its ultimate message is one of grace: God will remove spiritual corruption and refine His people through judgment, leaving a faithful remnant who will be restored in covenant relationship with Him.

Verses 1–2: The Fountain of Cleansing

Zechariah begins with a promise of complete spiritual restoration. The "fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (v. 1) speaks of a source of perpetual cleansing for sin and uncleanness. This image foreshadows the blood of Christ shed for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:19–22). The fountain is not a reward for the righteous alone but is made available to all who belong to God's covenant people.

Verse 2 shows the other side of restoration: judgment. God will cut off the names of the idols completely—they will not even be remembered. Additionally, false prophets and unclean spirits will be removed from the land. This reflects God's holy intolerance of spiritual deception and idolatry. True cleansing requires both forgiveness (the fountain) and the removal of what defiles.

Verses 3–5: The End of False Prophecy

These verses depict severe consequences for false prophets in the future kingdom. When someone dares to prophesy falsely, their own parents will execute judgment, saying, "Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD" (v. 3). This underscores how seriously God takes false claims made in His name.

By verse 4, false prophets themselves will be ashamed of their visions and will abandon their distinctive garments (worn to display their prophetic status). Verse 5 shows their desperate denial: they will claim to be ordinary farmers, not prophets at all. The lying craft will be so thoroughly discredited that those who once claimed prophetic authority will renounce it entirely. This reflects the reality that in God's kingdom, truth reigns supreme and deception has no place.

Verses 6–7: The Pierced Shepherd

Verse 6 contains a cryptic but profound exchange. When someone asks, "What are these wounds in thine hands?" the answer is strikingly personal: "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." This describes innocent suffering at the hands of those closest—a description that fits Jesus' passion perfectly, when His own people and disciples betrayed and abandoned Him.

Verse 7 is one of Scripture's most remarkable messianic prophecies. God calls upon the sword to strike the Shepherd and the man that is my fellow—language indicating the Shepherd's equality with God. The smiting of the Shepherd results in the sheep being scattered, exactly as happened when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:31, 56). Yet the verse ends with hope: God will turn His hand upon the little ones, showing His protective care for the scattered flock. This foreshadows Christ's resurrection, ascension, and continued intercession for His people.

Verses 8–9: Refining Fire and Covenant Renewal

The final section describes Israel's future: two-thirds will be cut off, but a third shall be left. This remnant will be brought through fire—refined like silver and gold (v. 9). The refining process removes impurities and strengthens what remains. The covenant is restored: the refined remnant will call on God's name, He will hear them, and they will be confirmed as His people in renewed relationship.

Application for Today

Zechariah 13 reminds us that Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate fountain of cleansing for all who believe. Just as God promised to purge false prophecy and idolatry from His people, He continues to sanctify the church, removing what hinders our walk with Him. When we pass through trials and testing, we can trust that God is refining our faith, not destroying it. Our response should be genuine repentance, hunger for truth, and renewed commitment to calling upon His name in faith.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note