King James Version

What Does Zechariah 13:8 Mean?

Zechariah 13:8 in the King James Version says “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 thi...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 13:8 · KJV

Context

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.

8

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.

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.

Read Zechariah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die (וְהָיָה בְכָל־הָאָרֶץ נְאֻם־יְהוָה פִּי־שְׁנַיִם בָּהּ יִכָּרְתוּ יִגְוָעוּ)—sobering prophecy: two-thirds of the population will karat (be cut off) and gava (die/perish). This describes apocalyptic tribulation, likely the 'time of Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30:7) or 'great tribulation' (Matthew 24:21) before Messiah's second coming. But the third shall be left therein—one-third survive as preserved remnant.

This three-way division recalls Ezekiel 5:2-4 where judgment on Jerusalem involved thirds: burned, struck with sword, scattered (with a small remnant preserved). Zechariah's prophecy is eschatological: during final conflicts surrounding Israel, massive casualties occur, but God preserves a remnant for salvation. This isn't arbitrary destruction but covenant discipline purifying Israel for restoration. The remnant theology pervades Scripture—God always preserves a faithful core through judgment (Romans 11:5: "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace").

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, Israel endured massive casualties during Roman sieges (AD 66-70, 132-135), medieval persecutions, and Holocaust (1933-1945). Yet Jews survived, regathering in modern Israel (1948). This verse prophetically describes final tribulation sufferings before Messiah's kingdom, when yet another two-thirds will perish before Christ returns to deliver the remnant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's discipline as purposeful (preserving a remnant) rather than arbitrary change your view of suffering?
  2. What does 'remnant theology' teach about God's faithfulness even through catastrophic judgment?
  3. How should awareness of future tribulation affect current evangelistic urgency toward Jewish people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהָיָ֤ה1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְכָל2 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙3 of 13

“And it shall come to pass that in all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נְאֻם4 of 13

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 13

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

פִּֽי6 of 13

“parts”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שְׁנַ֣יִם7 of 13

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָּ֔הּ8 of 13
H0
יִכָּרְת֖וּ9 of 13

“therein shall be cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יִגְוָ֑עוּ10 of 13

“and die”

H1478

to breathe out, i.e., (by implication) expire

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית11 of 13

“but the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

יִוָּ֥תֶר12 of 13

“shall be left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

בָּֽהּ׃13 of 13
H0

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 13:8 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 13:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 5:12Revelation 16:19Ezekiel 5:2-4Malachi 4:1-3Revelation 8:7-121 Thessalonians 2:15-16

Test Your Knowledge

Zechariah 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterZechariah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Zechariah 13 with CommentaryAll Zechariah ChaptersComplete Zechariah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes