Zechariah 13:1
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. | “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. | In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThis verse follows the promise that they shall look upon him whom they have pierced (12:10), and says that in that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness. The next verses say what the cleansing removes: the names of the idols, the false prophets and the unclean spirit (13:2-6). The chapter then describes the struck shepherd and a refined remnant who call on the LORD (13:7-9). Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:9Zechariah overview
SpeakingThe prophet Zechariah, bringing the word of the LORD of hosts. Zechariah overviewZechariah 13:2
ToThe Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon to Judah and Jerusalem. Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe house of David, meaning David's royal family line, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The fountain is opened for them. Zechariah 13:1Strong's H1732Strong's H3427
A source of cleansing will be opened for the people's sin and impurity. In the same passage the LORD says he will cut off the idols and remove the false prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. He also says he will refine a remnant who will call on his name. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Zechariah 13:9Strong's H4726Strong's H5079
The promise is for Jerusalem and Judah. The book was written from Jerusalem among the returned exiles. Chapter 13 itself carries no date or setting. Zechariah 13:1JerusalemZechariah overview
The events"In that day" points to the future time described in chapters 12-14. That section covers Jerusalem's cleansing and the day of the LORD, when he will be king over all the earth. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book. Its dated messages run from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8 come from Zechariah then, but chapters 9-14 carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote it all. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse shows God meeting the people's need for cleansing from sin and uncleanness. The passage promises that cleansing, along with the removal of idolatry from the land. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Zechariah overview
In the whole of ScriptureOther Scripture speaks the same way of God washing his people. Ezekiel 36:25 says "from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." David prays "cleanse me from my sin" (Psalms 51:2), and 1 John 1:7 says "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Ezekiel 36:25Psalms 51:21 John 1:7
For readersScripture presents cleansing from sin as God's work. John calls Jesus "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Paul tells believers "ye are washed... in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). Ezekiel 36:25John 1:291 Corinthians 6:11
Christians read this differently
The cited Scriptures do not say exactly when this fountain is opened. Many read it as fulfilled when Jesus, the pierced one, died and his blood cleansed from sin, noting that John 19:37 quotes 12:10 and Matthew 26:31 quotes 13:7. Others read it as a still-future cleansing of Jerusalem and the house of David at the day of the LORD described in chapters 12-14. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah overviewJohn 1:291 John 1:7
- fountainמָקוֹר
The word means a spring or fountain. It is used figuratively of a source of life, joy and purification. Strong's H4726
- sinחַטָּאת
The word can mean sin, guilt of sin, a sin offering, or purification from ceremonial uncleanness. So it covers both guilt and the need for purification. Strong's H2403B
- uncleannessנִדָּה
The word means impurity, including ceremonial impurity. It is also used figuratively of idolatry and immorality. This fits the next verse, where the LORD cuts off the idols from the land. Strong's H5079Zechariah 13:2
- openedפָּתַח
The form here is passive: "to be opened" or "thrown open." The fountain is opened for the people, not dug by them. Strong's H6605AZechariah 13:1
Takeaway
The LORD promises a fountain opened to wash his people clean from sin and from the defilement of idolatry. Other Scripture confirms that God is the one who cleanses, and the New Testament says it comes through Jesus' blood. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Ezekiel 36:251 John 1:7
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Where
- Jerusalem settlementMapAbout this place
Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| on the day | בַּיּ֣וֹם | bai-YOM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| the that | הַה֗וּא | ha-HU' | H1931 | he/she/itהוּא (hu) pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article) |
| it will be | יִֽהְיֶה֙ | yih-YEH | H1961 | to beהָיָה (ha.yah) 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) … |
| a fountain | מָק֣וֹר | ma-KOR | H4726 | fountainמָקוֹר (ma.qor) 1) spring, fountain 1a) spring 1a1) of source of life, joy, purification (fig.) 1b) of the eye (fig.) 1c) source (of menstruous blood) 1d) flow (of blood after child birth) |
| opened | נִפְתָּ֔ח | nif-TACH | H6605A | to openפָּתַח (pa.tach) 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606) |
| for [the] house of | לְבֵ֥ית | le-VEIT | H1004M | No entry |
| David | דָּוִ֖יד | da-VID | H1732 | Davidדָּוִד (da.vid) A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); … |
| and for [the] inhabitants of | וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י | u-le-yo-she-VEI | H3427 | to dwellיָשַׁב (ya.shav) 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488) |
| Jerusalem | יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם | ye-ru-sha-LIM | H3389 | Arielאֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el) Ariel = "lion of God" or "lioness of God" Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) |
| for sin | לְחַטַּ֖את | le-cha-TAT | H2403B | sinחַטָּאת (chat.tat) : sin 1) sin, sin offering 1a) sin 1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin 1c) punishment for sin 1d) sin-offering 1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness |
| and for impurity | וּלְנִדָּֽה׃ | u-le-ni-DAH | H5079 | impurityנִדָּה (nid.dah) 1) impurity, filthiness, menstruous, set apart 1a) impurity 1a1) of ceremonial impurity 1a2) of menstruation 1b) impure thing (fig.) 1b1) of idolatry, immorality |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.