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Zechariah 13:8

Zechariah 13:8 in Multiple Translations

And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

And it will come about that in all the land, says the Lord, two parts of it will be cut off and come to an end; but the third will be still living there.

Two thirds of the people of the land will be cut down, only one third will remain, says the Lord.

And in all the land, sayeth the Lord, two partes therein shall be cut off, and die: but the third shall be left therein.

And it hath come to pass, In all the land, an affirmation of Jehovah, Two parts in it are cut off — they expire, And the third is left in it.

It shall happen that in all the land,” says the LORD, “two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it.

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

And there shall be in all the earth, saith the Lord, two parts in it shall be scattered, and shall perish: but the third part shall be left therein.

Yahweh also says, “Two-thirds of the people in Judah will die [DOU]. Only one-third of the people in Judah will remain alive.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 13:8

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Zechariah 13:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הָיָ֤ה בְ/כָל הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ נְאֻם יְהוָ֔ה פִּֽי שְׁנַ֣יִם בָּ֔/הּ יִכָּרְת֖וּ יִגְוָ֑עוּ וְ/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית יִוָּ֥תֶר בָּֽ/הּ
וְ/הָיָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms
הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
יְהוָ֔ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
פִּֽי peh H6310 lip N-ms
שְׁנַ֣יִם shᵉnayim H8147 two Adj
בָּ֔/הּ Prep | Suff
יִכָּרְת֖וּ kârath H3772 to cut V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
יִגְוָ֑עוּ gâvaʻ H1478 to die V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְ/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית shᵉlîyshîy H7992 third Conj | Art | N-fs
יִוָּ֥תֶר yâthar H3498 to remain V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
בָּֽ/הּ Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 13:8

וְ/הָיָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ/אָ֨רֶץ֙ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָ֔ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
פִּֽי peh H6310 "lip" N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
שְׁנַ֣יִם shᵉnayim H8147 "two" Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
בָּ֔/הּ "" Prep | Suff
יִכָּרְת֖וּ kârath H3772 "to cut" V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
יִגְוָ֑עוּ gâvaʻ H1478 "to die" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to die or expire, like when Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross in Matthew 27:50. It implies a complete stop, like a final breath. It is used in the Bible to describe the end of life.
Definition: 1) to expire, die, perish, give up the ghost, yield up the ghost, be dead, be ready to die 1a) (Qal) to expire, die, be about to die
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish. See also: Genesis 6:17; Job 3:11; Psalms 88:16.
וְ/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית shᵉlîyshîy H7992 "third" Conj | Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word means third in a sequence, like a third day or year. It is used in the Bible to describe time, rank, or quantity, such as the third day of creation in Genesis.
Definition: 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: third (part, rank, time), three (years old). See also: Genesis 1:13; 1 Kings 22:2; Isaiah 15:5.
יִוָּ֥תֶר yâthar H3498 "to remain" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word 'yâthar' means to remain or be left, and can also mean to excel or have more than enough, often translated as 'remain' or 'preserve'.
Definition: 1) to be left over, remain, remain over, leave 1a) (Qal) remainder (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be left over, remain over, be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, leave 1c2) to save over, preserve alive 1c3) to excel, show pre-eminence 1c4) to show excess, have more than enough, have an excess
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: excel, leave (a remnant), left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let) remain(-der, -ing, -nant), reserve, residue, rest. See also: Genesis 30:36; 2 Samuel 9:1; Psalms 79:11.
בָּֽ/הּ "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Zechariah 13:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Ezekiel 5:12 A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them.
2 Revelation 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.
3 Ezekiel 5:2–4 When the days of the siege have ended, you are to burn up a third of the hair inside the city; you are also to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them. But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment. Again, take a few of these, throw them into the fire, and burn them. From there a fire will spread to the whole house of Israel.
4 Malachi 4:1–3 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall. Then you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.
5 Revelation 8:7–12 Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass. Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters. Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
6 Luke 23:28–30 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
7 Matthew 24:21–22 For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
8 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
9 Mark 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.
10 Joel 2:31–32 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.

Zechariah 13:8 Summary

Zechariah 13:8 is a prophecy about a future time when many people will face judgment and only a small group will be spared. This is not just about physical death, but also about being spiritually refined and purified, like silver and gold (as seen in Malachi 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:7). Just like a refiner purifies precious metals, God will refine His people, making them stronger and more faithful, as described in Jeremiah 30:11 and Romans 8:28. This verse reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and to seek His presence, even in difficult times, just as we see in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for two-thirds to be cut off and perish in Zechariah 13:8?

This refers to a future time of judgment and purification, where the majority of the people will not survive, but a remnant will be spared, as seen in Isaiah 6:13 and Ezekiel 5:2-4.

Is this verse talking about a physical or spiritual death?

While it can be interpreted in both ways, the context of Zechariah 13:8-9 suggests a spiritual refining, where the remaining third will be purified like silver and gold, similar to what is described in Malachi 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:7.

Who is the 'land' referring to in this verse?

The 'land' in Zechariah 13:8 is likely referring to the land of Israel, as Zechariah is a prophet to the Israelites, but it can also be applied to the spiritual kingdom of God, where believers are the ones being refined and purified, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46 and Romans 11:25-26.

How does this verse relate to the rest of Scripture?

Zechariah 13:8 is part of a larger narrative of God's plan to refine and redeem His people, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 30:11 and Romans 8:28, where God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to be 'cut off' from God's presence, and how can I ensure I am not separated from Him?
  2. In what ways can I be refined like silver and gold, and what are the benefits of this spiritual purification?
  3. How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even in times of judgment and hardship, like the scenario described in Zechariah 13:8?
  4. What does it mean to be part of the 'remnant' that is spared, and what are my responsibilities as a believer in this context?

Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 13:8

And it shall come to pass, [that] in all the land, saith the Lord,.... Either in all the land of Israel, as Kimchi interprets it; or rather in all the world, as Aben Ezra and others; for this

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 13:8

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 13:8

This verse may be a prediction of the great slaughter Titus made among the Jews, and also an emblem of the multitudes of them that perish, and paucity of them that are saved. In all the land of Judea, or the whole world. Two parts; not precisely two, but, more largely, the greater part by far. Shall be cut off and die, a temporal death, by the sword of Titus, or an eternal death under unbelief and rejecting Christ. But the third, i.e. a remnant, the lesser part, yet as many as are chosen, shall be left therein; shall escape or be preserved and saved. This verse may be a prediction of the great slaughter Titus made among the Jews, and also an emblem of the multitudes of them that perish, and paucity of them that are saved. But the third, i.e. a remnant, the lesser part, yet as many as are chosen, shall be left therein; shall escape or be preserved and saved.

Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 13:8

Zechariah 13:8 And it shall come to pass, [that] in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off [and] die; but the third shall be left therein.Ver. 8. Two parts therein shall be cut off and die] q.d. They shall, they shall, however strange or incredible this sad tidings seems to you; it shall be even so, take my word for it. "Behold the severity of God," Romans 11:22. In the Greek it is the resection, or, cutting off (αποτομιαν), as a surgeon cutteth off proud and dead flesh. "The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity," &c., Zephaniah 3:5. Fiat iustitia, ruat coelum, Let justice be done, let the heavens be destroyed, may seem to be his motto. In point of justice he stands not upon multitudes, Psalms 9:17. It is all one to him "whether against a nation or against a man only," Job 34:29. National sins bring national plagues; heinous sins heavy punishments. In the universal deluge God swept away all, as if he had blotted out that part of his title, "The Lord, the Lord, gracious, merciful," &c., and had taken up that of Attilas, Orbis flagellum, the world’ s scourge. Sodom’ s sins were multiplied above measure; "therefore God took them away as he saw good," Ezekiel 16:49-50; and hath thrown them out (προκεινται), as St Jude speaketh, for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Herodotus, a heathen historian, saith the very same of the destruction of Troy, viz. that the ruins and rubbish thereof are set forth for an example of that noted rule, that God greatly punisheth great offences, and that heinous sins bring hideous plagues. Here we have two parts of three cut off in the land of Judea; as it happened at the last destruction thereof by the Romans; at which time more than a million of men perished, see Matthew 24:21. And what think we shall become of Babylon the Great? Her sins reach up to heaven, whereunto they are even glued and fastened, as the word εκολληθησαν signifies, Revelation 18:5, therefore she shall be brought down to hell with Capernaum (for flagitium et flagellum sicut acus et filium), therefore shall her plagues come in one day to confute their fond conceit of an eternal empire, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly overthrown with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her, full able to effect it, seem it to Babel’ s brats never so improbable or impossible, Revelation 18:18. It was never besieged since it became Papal, but it was taken; whereas before it was held invincible. Sin that lieth at the bottom will easily undermine and overturn the walls, though never so strong built; as the voice from heaven told Phocas the murderer. The blood of that innocent Lamb of God lies heavily upon the whole nation of the Jews to this day.

Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 13:8

(8) The land.—viz., of Israel. (Comp. Zechariah 14:9.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 13:8

Verse 8. Two parts therein shall be cut off] In the war with the Romans. But the third shall be left] Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be preserved alive; and not one of these perished in the siege, or afterwards, by those wars.

Cambridge Bible on Zechariah 13:8

8. in all the land] i.e. of Palestine, which agrees with the view taken above that “the flock” is the Jewish church and people. two parts] Comp. 2 Samuel 8:2. This was terribly fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 13:8

In all the land, two parts therein shall be cut off and die - “In all the land of Israel,” says a Jewish interpreter; (Kimchi); “ - the land, in which the Good Shepherd had been slain and the sheep

Sermons on Zechariah 13:8

SermonDescription
Denis Lyle The Great Tribulation by Denis Lyle Denis Lyle preaches on the Great Tribulation as described in Daniel 12, highlighting the special period of trouble that Israel will face, with a focus on the hope and protection pr
John F. Walvoord The Comforting Hope of 1 Thessalonians 4 by John F. Walvoord John F. Walvoord delves into the detailed revelation of the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4, emphasizing the importance of understanding the sequence of events leading up to Christ's
Arno Clemens Gaebelein The End of the Prophecy. the Great Tribulation and Israel's Deliverance. the Epilogue by Arno Clemens Gaebelein Arno Clemens Gaebelein delves into the prophetic truths of Daniel, focusing on the time of trouble and Israel's deliverance during the last 3 1/2 years. He emphasizes the significa
J.C. Ryle If Any Man by J.C. Ryle The preacher delves into the concept of outbursts of anger, exploring the Greek word 'thumos' which describes a passionate and impulsive anger that rushes along, often leading to s
David Wilkerson A Cry Against the Wicked Youth of America by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man, a Hebrew, who is running through the streets proclaiming that there are only 40 days left before everyone will die because of their
David Wilkerson Christless Pentecost - Part 2 by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for repentance and holiness in the church. He predicts a revival among young people and the downfall of drug abuse, alcoholism, and
C.H. Spurgeon A Vision of the Latter-Day Glories by C.H. Spurgeon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unstoppable growth of the church and the gathering of all nations to worship God. He uses the imagery of a dry riverbed gradually fillin

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