King James Version

What Does Zechariah 13:5 Mean?

Zechariah 13:5 in the King James Version says “But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman ; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman ; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.”

Zechariah 13:5 · KJV

Context

3

And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

4

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: a rough: Heb. a garment of hair deceive: Heb. lie

5

But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman ; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

6

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

7

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Read Zechariah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. Continuing from verse 4, this verse describes the false prophet's desperate denial when exposed. "I am no prophet" (lo navi anoki, לֹא נָבִיא אָנֹכִי) is emphatic denial—"I am definitely not a prophet!" The fraudulent teacher, faced with shame and judgment, claims to be merely "an husbandman" (ish oved adamah, אִישׁ עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה), literally "a man working the ground," a farmer.

The phrase "for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth" (ki adam hiqnani mine'uray, כִּי אָדָם הִקְנַנִי מִנְּעֻרָי) invents a cover story—"I've been a farmer since childhood; someone taught me agriculture." The Hebrew verb hiqnani (הִקְנַנִי) means "acquired me" or "taught me," suggesting apprenticeship or servitude. This false prophet fabricates a mundane occupational history to distance himself from prophetic pretensions. He's claiming: "I never had prophetic calling or training—I'm just a simple farmer."

The irony is profound. Amos, a true prophet, genuinely was a herdsman and farmer whom God called (Amos 7:14-15: "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman... And the LORD took me"). False prophets now claim the very occupation that true prophet Amos held, but whereas Amos was called by God despite humble origins, these deceivers deny prophetic calling to escape judgment. Truth inverts deception—those who falsely claimed divine authority now falsely deny it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse envisions eschatological judgment when false prophets will be so thoroughly exposed that denial becomes their only refuge. Throughout biblical history, false prophets boldly proclaimed 'Thus says the LORD' when God had not spoken (Jeremiah 14:14, 23:21, Ezekiel 13:6-7). They sought honor, influence, and material gain through fraudulent claims to divine revelation. But when God's truth is fully revealed, their lies will be indefensible.

The agricultural occupation mentioned here recalls that many true prophets came from humble backgrounds—Amos was a shepherd and fig farmer (Amos 7:14), Elisha was plowing with oxen when called (1 Kings 19:19), David was tending sheep (1 Samuel 16:11). God calls whom He wills, often from obscurity. False prophets who once pretended to divine calling will now pretend to common labor, demonstrating that shame will replace pride when deception is exposed. This awaits ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns and every lie is revealed (1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Modern application: those who claim spiritual authority without divine calling will ultimately face exposure and shame.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is false prophetic ministry particularly serious compared to other sins—what makes claiming to speak for God when He hasn't spoken so condemnable?
  2. How does this passage warn against seeking spiritual authority, teaching positions, or ministerial roles without genuine divine calling?
  3. What does the false prophet's desperate denial teach about the certainty of truth ultimately prevailing over deception, even if temporarily successful?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאָמַ֕ר1 of 12

“But he shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֥א2 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָבִ֖יא3 of 12

“I am no prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אָנֹ֑כִי4 of 12
H595

i

אִישׁ5 of 12

“I am an husbandman”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עֹבֵ֤ד6 of 12
H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֲדָמָה֙7 of 12
H127

soil (from its general redness)

אָנֹ֔כִי8 of 12
H595

i

כִּ֥י9 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָדָ֖ם10 of 12

“for man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

הִקְנַ֥נִי11 of 12

“taught me to keep cattle”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

מִנְּעוּרָֽי׃12 of 12

“from my youth”

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 13:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 13:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 7:14Acts 19:17-20

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