King James Version

What Does Zechariah 13:9 Mean?

Zechariah 13:9 in the King James Version says “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold i...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 13:9 · KJV

Context

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 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 (וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת־הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ וּצְרַפְתִּים כִּצְרֹף אֶת־הַכֶּסֶף וּבְחַנְתִּים כִּבְחֹן אֶת־הַזָּהָב)—the surviving third experiences tzaraph (refining) and bachan (testing/trying). Fire removes impurities from precious metals; suffering purifies faith. This is redemptive discipline, not destructive judgment. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them—purified Israel turns to Yahweh in genuine faith. Qara (call) indicates prayer, covenant appeal.

I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God (וְאָמַרְתִּי עַמִּי הוּא וְהוּא יֹאמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי)—covenant formula restored (compare Hosea 2:23: "I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God"). This is reconciliation language: God acknowledges them as His people; they acknowledge Him as their God. The relationship broken by sin (Hosea 1:9: "Ye are not my people, and I will not be your God") is renewed. Romans 11:25-27 confirms: after the fullness of Gentiles, "all Israel shall be saved."

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This describes Israel's end-times conversion when the remnant surviving tribulation recognizes Jesus as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10: "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced"). The 'refining fire' is tribulation suffering that drives them to call on God's name—likely invoking Jesus (Romans 10:13: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved").

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing trials as 'refining' rather than punishing change your response to suffering?
  2. What impurities in your faith might God be removing through current difficulties?
  3. How does this verse's covenant restoration formula ('my people'/'my God') parallel believers' adoption into God's family?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י1 of 25

“And I will bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙3 of 25

“the third part”

H7992

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

בָּאֵ֔שׁ4 of 25

“through the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

כִּצְרֹ֣ף5 of 25

“and will refine”

H6884

to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)

כִּצְרֹ֣ף6 of 25

“and will refine”

H6884

to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)

אֶת7 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֶּ֔סֶף8 of 25

“them as silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

כִּבְחֹ֣ן9 of 25

“and will try”

H974

to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate

כִּבְחֹ֣ן10 of 25

“and will try”

H974

to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate

אֶת11 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַזָּהָ֑ב12 of 25

“them as gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

ה֣וּא׀13 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִקְרָ֣א14 of 25

“they shall call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בִשְׁמִ֗י15 of 25

“on my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וַֽאֲנִי֙16 of 25
H589

i

אֶעֱנֶ֣ה17 of 25

“and I will hear”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֹת֔וֹ18 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יֹאמַ֖ר19 of 25

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַמִּ֣י20 of 25

“It is my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

ה֔וּא21 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְה֥וּא22 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יֹאמַ֖ר23 of 25

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה24 of 25

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָֽי׃25 of 25

“is my God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 13:9 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 13:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 50:15Jeremiah 29:11-12Acts 2:21Isaiah 65:23-24Isaiah 48:10Psalms 34:15-19

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