Zechariah 13:9
New International Version
This third I will put into 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.’”

New Living Translation
I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

English Standard Version
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

Berean Standard Bible
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.’ ”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. 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 my God.’”

NASB 1995
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. 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 my God.’”

NASB 1977
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. 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 my God.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And I will bring the third part through the fire And refine them as silver is refined And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’”

Amplified Bible
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will listen and answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

Christian Standard Bible
I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. 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.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: Yahweh is our God.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Then I will purify them and put them to the test, just as gold and silver are purified and tested. They will pray in my name, and I will answer them. I will say, "You are my people," and they will reply, "You, LORD, are our God!"

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will bring this third [of the people] through the fire. I will refine them as silver is refined. I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on me, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people.' They will reply, 'The LORD is our God.'"

Good News Translation
And I will test the third that survives and will purify them as silver is purified by fire. I will test them as gold is tested. Then they will pray to me, and I will answer them. I will tell them that they are my people, and they will confess that I am their God."

International Standard Version
And I will bring that surviving third through, testing them as if through fire, purifying them like silver, assaying them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

Majority Standard Bible
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.’”

NET Bible
Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire; I will refine them like silver is refined and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name and I will answer; I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

New Heart English Bible
I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, 'It is my people;' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, ‘It is my people;’ and they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have brought the third into fire, "" And refined them like a refining of silver, "" And have tried them like a trying of gold, "" It calls in My Name, and I answer it, "" I have said, It [is] My people, "" And it says, YHWH [is] my God!”

Young's Literal Translation
And I have brought the third into fire, And refined them like a refining of silver, And have tried them like a trying of gold, It doth call in My name, and I answer it, I have said, 'My people it is,' And it saith, 'Jehovah is my God!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I brought the third through fire, and I purified them as purifying silver, and I tried them as trying gold: he shall call on my name and I will answer him: I said, He is my people; and he shall say, Jehovah my God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: Thou art my people: and they shall say: The Lord is my God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will lead the third part through fire, and I will burn them just as silver is burned, and I will test them just as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will heed them. I will say, “You are my people.” And they will say, “The Lord is my God.”

New American Bible
I will bring the one third through the fire; I will refine them as one refines silver, and I will test them as one tests gold. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them; I will say, “They are my people,” and they will say, “The LORD is my God.”

New Revised Standard Version
And I will put this third into the fire, refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. 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.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I will cause the third part to pass through the fire, and will refine them as they refine silver, and will try them as they try gold; they shall call on my name, and I will answer them; I will say, They are my people; and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall bring the third that are left into fire and I shall refine them as they refine silver, and I shall prove them as they prove gold. He shall call in my name and I shall answer him, and I shall say: “This is my people”, and he shall say: ”LORD JEHOVAH, my God!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 answer them; I will say: 'It is My people', And they shall say: 'The LORD is my God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will try them as silver is tried, and I will prove them as gold is proved: they shall call upon my name, and I will hear them, and say, This is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered
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
Malachi 3:3
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.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Jeremiah 9:7
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

Isaiah 1:25
I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.

Hebrews 12:6-11
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? / If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ...

Ezekiel 22:18-22
“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

bring.

Psalm 66:10-12
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried…

Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

1 Corinthians 3:11-13
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ…

refine.

Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Proverbs 17:3
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Isaiah 48:10
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

they shall call.

Zechariah 10:6
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Psalm 34:15-19
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry…

It is my people.

Zechariah 8:8
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Leviticus 26:12,44,45
And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people…

Deuteronomy 26:17-19
Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: …

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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.














This third I will bring through the fire
The phrase "This third" refers to a remnant, a concept deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition where God preserves a faithful group through trials. The "fire" symbolizes purification and testing, akin to the refining process of precious metals. In the Hebrew context, fire often represents divine judgment and purification (Malachi 3:2-3). This imagery suggests that God allows His people to undergo trials to purify and strengthen their faith, much like a refiner purifies silver by removing impurities.

I will refine them like silver
The refining of silver involves intense heat to separate impurities, a metaphor for God's sanctifying work in His people. The Hebrew word for "refine" (צָרַף, tsaraph) implies a process of purification and testing. Historically, silver refining was a meticulous process, requiring skill and patience, reflecting God's careful and intentional work in the lives of believers. This process is not punitive but transformative, aiming to produce holiness and righteousness.

and test them like gold
Testing gold involves similar processes to silver, emphasizing the value and purity of the end product. The Hebrew word for "test" (בָּחַן, bachan) suggests examination and proving. Gold, being more valuable than silver, indicates the preciousness of God's people in His sight. This testing is a divine assurance that the faith of believers, though tested by fire, is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7).

They will call on My name
Calling on God's name signifies a relationship and reliance on Him. In Hebrew culture, a name represents character and authority. To "call on My name" implies invoking God's presence and power, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His intervention. This act of calling is a response to God's refining work, demonstrating trust and dependence on Him.

and I will answer them
God's promise to answer reflects His faithfulness and readiness to respond to His people's cries. The assurance of divine response is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing God's attentiveness and willingness to engage with those who seek Him (Jeremiah 33:3). This interaction underscores a covenant relationship where God is actively involved in the lives of His people.

I will say, ‘They are My people,’
This declaration reaffirms the covenant relationship between God and His people. The phrase "My people" echoes the covenant language found throughout the Old Testament (Exodus 6:7). It signifies belonging, identity, and divine ownership. God's acknowledgment of His people is a testament to His grace and commitment to those who have been refined and tested.

and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’
The reciprocal response, "The LORD is our God," signifies the people's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and their allegiance to Him. This mutual recognition completes the covenant relationship, where both parties affirm their commitment to one another. It reflects a restored and intimate relationship, characterized by faithfulness and worship.

Verse 9. - Through the fire. This third part, like its Master, passes through much tribulation, and is thereby refined and purified (comp. Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Daniel 12:10; Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:6, 7). Call on my Name. In their distress they shall turn in faith to Jehovah, as the covenant God, a very present Help in trouble (Isaiah 65:24). Thus is represented God's dealing with his Church in every age.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This third
הַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ (haš·šə·li·šîṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

I will bring
וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י (wə·hê·ḇê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

through the fire;
בָּאֵ֔שׁ (bā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

I will refine them
וּצְרַפְתִּים֙ (ū·ṣə·rap̄·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test

like silver
הַכֶּ֔סֶף (hak·ke·sep̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and test them
וּבְחַנְתִּ֖ים (ū·ḇə·ḥan·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

like gold.
הַזָּהָ֑ב (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

They will call
יִקְרָ֣א (yiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

on My name,
בִשְׁמִ֗י (ḇiš·mî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

and I
וַֽאֲנִי֙ (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will answer them.
אֶעֱנֶ֣ה (’e·‘ĕ·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

I will say,
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘They
ה֣וּא ׀ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

are My people,’
עַמִּ֣י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and they
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will say,
יֹאמַ֖ר (yō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘The LORD [is]
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

our God.’”
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 13:9 I will bring the third part into (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 13:8
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