Zechariah 13:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. | This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” | And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAfter the shepherd is struck and the sheep scattered, two parts of the land are cut off and a third is left (13:7-8). God says he will put that third through fire, refining and testing them like silver and gold. The result is a restored bond: they call on him, he answers, he names them his people, and they confess him as their God. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9
SpeakingThe LORD speaks, as the chapter marks with "saith the LORD" and "saith the LORD of hosts." His words come through the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah and Jerusalem who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe third part left in the land after two parts are cut off. These are the people God refines and calls his own. Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9
God promises to put a surviving third through fire, refining and testing them as silver and gold are refined and tested. The trial ends in a renewed relationship. They call on his name, he hears, and each side speaks words of belonging: "It is my people" and "The LORD is my God." Zechariah 13:9Strong's H6884Strong's H0974
The setting is "all the land," with the chapter centered on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The prophet spoke among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:8Zechariah overview
The eventsThe chapter places a fountain opened for sin and the removal of idols and false prophets "in that day" (13:1-4), then turns to the striking of the shepherd (13:7). Matthew 26:31 quotes that striking and applies it to Jesus. The text gives no date for the refining in this verse. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Zechariah 13:7Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book, with dated messages from about 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8 come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC; chapters 9-14, which include this verse, carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote them. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse shows that the cutting off in 13:8 is not the end. God refines the third that is left until they are his people. Earlier the chapter promises a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness and the cutting off of idols from the land. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9
In the whole of ScriptureZechariah calls the people to turn to the LORD so he will turn to them (1:3). This verse pictures both sides turning: they call on him and he answers. Isaiah 48:10 uses a like picture: God chose his people "in the furnace of affliction." Zechariah overviewIsaiah 48:10Zechariah 13:9
For readersScripture often joins calling on God with his answer. Psalm 50:15 says "call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee," Jeremiah 29:12 says "I will hearken unto you," and Isaiah 65:24 says "before they call, I will answer." Peter also speaks of God's people being "in heaviness through manifold temptations" for a season. Psalms 50:15Jeremiah 29:12Isaiah 65:241 Peter 1:6
Christians read this differently
No cited Scripture says when this refining of the third part takes place. Some read it as following directly on the striking of the shepherd, which Matthew 26:31 applies to Jesus, so it describes the remnant after his death. Others read it with chapters 12-14 as a future refining of Israel in the day of the LORD. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Zechariah overview
- refineצָרַף
The word means to smelt, refine, or test, and also to test and prove true. Its participle names a smelter, refiner, or goldsmith. So the picture is a metalworker's fire. Strong's H6884
- tryבָּחַן
The word means to examine, try, or prove. The lexicon lists its use for testing gold, persons, and the heart. Here it pairs with refining to describe the testing of the third part. Strong's H0974Zechariah 13:9
- callקָרָא
Among its senses are to cry for help and to call with the name of God. Here the refined people call on God's name, and he answers. Strong's H7121GZechariah 13:9
- peopleעַם
The word means nation, people, or members of one's people. When God says "It is my people," he claims the refined third as his own. Strong's H5971AZechariah 13:9
Takeaway
For the third part that is left, God's fire refines them like silver and gold. Through that trial they come to call on him, are heard, and belong to him: "It is my people" and "The LORD is my God." Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9Isaiah 48:10Jeremiah 29:12
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.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and I will bring | וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י | ve-he-ve-TI | H0935P | to come (in): comeבּוֹא (bo) : come/go_in 1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to enter, come in 1a2) to come 1a2a) to come with 1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy) 1a2c) to come to pass 1a3) to attain to 1a4) to be enumerated 1a5) to go 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lead in 1b2) to carry in 1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon 1b4) to bring to pass 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought, brought in 1c2) to be introduced, be put |
| the third [part] | הַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ | ha-she-li-SHIT | H7992 | thirdשְׁלִישִׁי (she.li.shi) 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number |
| in the fire | בָּאֵ֔שׁ | ba-'ESH | H0784 | fireאֵשׁ (esh) 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785) |
| and I will refine them | וּצְרַפְתִּים֙ | u-tze-raf-TIM | H6884 | to refineצָרַף (tsa.raph) 1) to smelt, refine, test 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smelt, refine 1a2) to test 1a3) to test (and prove true) 1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be refined 1c) (Piel) to be a refiner 1c1) refiner (participle) |
| as refines | כִּצְרֹ֣ף | kitz-ROF | H6884 | to refineצָרַף (tsa.raph) 1) to smelt, refine, test 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smelt, refine 1a2) to test 1a3) to test (and prove true) 1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be refined 1c) (Piel) to be a refiner 1c1) refiner (participle) |
| the silver | הַכֶּ֔סֶף | ha-KE-sef | H3701G | silver: moneyכֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents |
| and I will test them | וּבְחַנְתִּ֖ים | u-ve-chan-TIM | H0974 | to testבָּחַן (ba.chan) 1) to examine, try, prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to examine, scrutinise 1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God) 1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved 1c) (Pual) to make a trial |
| as tests | כִּבְחֹ֣ן | kiv-CHON | H0974 | to testבָּחַן (ba.chan) 1) to examine, try, prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to examine, scrutinise 1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God) 1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved 1c) (Pual) to make a trial |
| the gold | הַזָּהָ֑ב | ha-za-HAV | H2091 | goldדְּהַב (de.hav) gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091) |
| it | ה֣וּא׀ | 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 call | יִקְרָ֣א | yik-RA' | H7121G | to call: call toקָרָא (qa.ra) : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen |
| on name my | בִשְׁמִ֗י | vish-MI | H8034 | nameשֵׁם (shem) 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036) |
| and I | וַֽאֲנִי֙ | VA-'a-ni | H0589 | meאֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589) |
| I will answer | אֶעֱנֶ֣ה | 'e-'e-NEH | H6030B | to answerעָנָה (a.nah) 1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to answer, respond to 1a2) to testify, respond as a witness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to make answer 1b2) to be answered, receive answer Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032) |
| I will say | אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ | 'a-MAR-ti | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| [is] people my | עַמִּ֣י | 'a-MI | H5971A | peopleעַם (am) : people/nation 1) nation, people 1a) people, nation 1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men |
| it | ה֔וּא | 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) |
| and it | וְה֥וּא | ve-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 say | יֹאמַ֖ר | yo-MAR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֥ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| [is] God my | אֱלֹהָֽי׃ ס | 'e-lo-HAI | H0430G | Godאֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.