Zechariah 13:8

13:8 It will happen in all the land, says the Lord,

that two-thirds of the people ¹  in it will be cut off and die,

but one-third will be left in it. ² 

Zechariah 9:2

9:2 as are those of Hamath also, which adjoins Damascus, and Tyre ³  and Sidon, ⁴  though they consider themselves to be very wise.

Zechariah 14:11

14:11 And people will settle there, and there will no longer be the threat of divine extermination – Jerusalem will dwell in security.

Zechariah 1:16

The Oracle of Response

1:16 “‘Therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘I have become compassionate ⁵  toward Jerusalem ⁶  and will rebuild my temple ⁷  in it,’ says the Lord who rules over all. ‘Once more a surveyor’s measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’

Zechariah 6:6

6:6 The chariot with the black horses is going to the north country and the white ones are going after them, but the spotted ones are going to the south country.

[13:8]  ¹ tn The words “of the people” are supplied in the translation for clarity (cf. NCV, TEV, NLT).

[13:8]  ² 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.

[9:2]  ³ map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.

[9:2]  ⁴ map For location see Map1 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.

[1:16]  ⁵ tn Heb “I have turned.” This suggests that the Lord has responded to the “turning” (i.e., repentance) of the people (v. 6) and now, with great love and forgiveness, allows construction of the temple to proceed.

[1:16]  ⁶ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[1:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “house.”