Discovery BoxZechariah 13:1-2
Context13:1 “In that day there will be a fountain opened up for the dynasty 1 of David and the people of Jerusalem 2 to cleanse them from sin and impurity. 3 13:2 And also on that day,” says the Lord who rules over all, “I will remove 4 the names of the idols from the land and they will never again be remembered. Moreover, I will remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.
Zechariah 13:8-9
Context13:8 It will happen in all the land, says the Lord,
that two-thirds of the people 5 in it will be cut off and die,
but one-third will be left in it. 6
13:9 Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire;
I will refine them like silver is refined
and will test them like gold is tested.
They will call on my name and I will answer;
I will say, ‘These are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” 7
[13:1] 1 tn Heb “house” (so NIV, NRSV), referring to dynastic descendants.
[13:1] 2 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[13:1] 3 tn Heb “for sin and for impurity.” The purpose implied here has been stated explicitly in the translation for clarity.
[13:2] 4 tn Heb “cut off” (so NRSV); NAB “destroy”; NIV “banish.”
[13:8] 5 tn The words “of the people” are supplied in the translation for clarity (cf. NCV, TEV, NLT).
[13:8] 6 sn The fractions mentioned here call to mind the affliction of God’s people described by Ezekiel, though Ezekiel referred to his own times whereas Zechariah is looking forward to a future eschatological age. Ezekiel spoke of cutting his hair at God’s command (Ezek 5:1-4) and then of burning a third of it, striking a third with a sword, and scattering the rest. From this last third a few hairs would survive to become the nucleus of a new Israel. It is this “third” Zechariah speaks of (v. 9), the remnant who will be purified and reclaimed as God’s covenant people.
[13:9] 7 sn The expression I will say ‘It is my people,’ and they will say ‘the
