Zechariah 13:8
New International Version
In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.

New Living Translation
Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die,” says the LORD. “But one-third will be left in the land.

English Standard Version
In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive.

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the LORD, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it:

New American Standard Bible
“And it will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it.

NASB 1995
“It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it.

NASB 1977
“And it will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it will be in all the land,” Declares Yahweh, “That two parts in it will be cut off and breathe their last; But the third will be left in it.

Amplified Bible
“It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “Two parts in it will be cut off and perish, But the third will be left alive.

Christian Standard Bible
In the whole land — this is the LORD’s declaration — two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the whole land— this is the LORD’s declaration— two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Nowhere in the land will more than a third of them be left alive.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD declares, "Throughout the land two-thirds will be cut off and die. Yet, one-third will be left in it.

Good News Translation
and throughout the land two-thirds of the people will die.

International Standard Version
It will come about in all of the land," declares the LORD, "that two thirds of the people living there will die, but a third will survive who live there.

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

NET Bible
It will happen in all the land, says the LORD, that two-thirds of the people in it will be cut off and die, but one-third will be left in it.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
It shall happen that in all the land,” says Yahweh, “two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass, "" In all the land,” a declaration of YHWH, "" “Two parts in it are cut off—they expire, "" And the third is left in it.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in all the land, says Jehovah, two parts in it shall be cut off, they shall expire; and the third shall be left in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there will be in all the earth, says the Lord, two parts in it will be scattered and will pass away, and the third part will be left behind.

New American Bible
In all the land—oracle of the LORD— two thirds of them will be cut off and perish, and one third will be left.

New Revised Standard Version
In the whole land, says the LORD, two-thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one-third shall be left alive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it shall come to pass that in all the land, says the LORD, two parts therein shall perish and be destroyed; but the third shall be left therein.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it will be in all the land, says LORD JEHOVAH, and two parts in it shall be consumed and they shall be destroyed, and a third shall be left in it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts thereof shall be cut off and perish; but the third shall be left therein.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered
7Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it. 9This 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.’ ”…

Cross References
Matthew 24:21-22
For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen 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.

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.

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.

Daniel 12:1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Isaiah 6:13
And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”

Jeremiah 30:7
How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.

Revelation 11:13
And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Amos 9:9-10
“For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground. / All the sinners among My people will die by the sword—all those who say, ‘Disaster will never draw near or confront us.’”

Malachi 3:2-3
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

Matthew 24:13
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Isaiah 10:22
Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.

Romans 9:27-28
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. / For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth thoroughly and decisively.”

Revelation 9:18
A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.

Ezekiel 20:38
And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

two.

Zechariah 11:6-9
For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them

Deuteronomy 28:49-68
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; …

Isaiah 65:12-15
Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not…

but.

Zechariah 14:1,2
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee…

Isaiah 6:13
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

Jeremiah 30:11
For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

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Zechariah 13
1. The fountain of purgation for Jerusalem,
2. from idolatry, and false prophecy.
7. The death of Christ, and the trial of a third part.














And in all the land
The phrase "in all the land" refers to the entirety of the nation of Israel. The Hebrew word for "land" is "eretz," which can mean earth, land, or country. In this context, it signifies the geographical and spiritual realm of Israel, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the prophecy. Historically, this indicates a time of significant trial and purification for the people of Israel, a theme consistent with the prophetic literature that often speaks of judgment and restoration.

declares the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and certainty of the prophecy. The Hebrew word for "declares" is "ne'um," which is often used in prophetic literature to introduce a divine pronouncement. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, reminding the reader of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. This declaration is not merely a prediction but a divine decree that will surely come to pass.

two-thirds will be cut off and perish
The imagery of "two-thirds" being "cut off and perish" is stark and sobering. The Hebrew word for "cut off" is "karath," which can mean to cut down or destroy. This indicates a severe judgment that results in the loss of a significant portion of the population. Historically, this could be seen as a reference to the various calamities that befell Israel, including invasions and exiles. Spiritually, it serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness of divine judgment.

but a third will be left in it
The phrase "a third will be left in it" offers a glimmer of hope amidst the judgment. The Hebrew word for "left" is "yathar," which means to remain or be left over. This remnant theology is a recurring theme in the Bible, where a faithful remnant is preserved by God despite widespread judgment. This remnant is often seen as the seed for future restoration and blessing, highlighting God's mercy and the hope of redemption. Theologically, it points to the idea that God always preserves a people for Himself, even in times of great trial.

Verse 8. - In all the land; i.e. Palestine, the country in which the good Shepherd tended his flock (ch. 11.), and which is a figure of the kingdom of God (comp. Zechariah 12:12; Zechariah 14:9, 10). Two parts therein shall be cut off and die; literally, the mouth, i.e. the portion of two, as Deuteronomy 21:17; 2 Kings 2:9, where it denotes the double portion inherited by the firstborn. The inheritance is divided into three portions, of which two parts are given over to death. Compare a similar allotment in the case of the Moabites (2 Samuel 8:2). The doomed portion is supposed to represent the multitudes who perished at the siege of Jerusalem. This may be; but by analogy it stands for those who shall not accept the Messiah or be purified by suffering, even as Christ said, "Many are called, but few chosen" (Matthew 20:16; comp. Matthew 3:12). The third. This third part represents the faithful among the Jews (Romans 11:5), and the Christian Church gathered out of all nations (comp. Isaiah 6:13; and especially Ezekiel 5:2, 12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And
וְהָיָ֤ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

in all
בְכָל־ (ḇə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the land,”
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“two-thirds
פִּֽי־ (pî-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

will be cut off
יִכָּרְת֖וּ (yik·kā·rə·ṯū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

[and] perish,
יִגְוָ֑עוּ (yiḡ·wā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1478: To breathe out, expire

but a third
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית (wə·haš·šə·li·šîṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

will be left
יִוָּ֥תֶר (yiw·wā·ṯer)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

in it.
בָּֽהּ׃ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 13:8 It shall happen that in all (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 13:7
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