Zechariah 12:13

Translations

Modern

…the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives,

Traditional

The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;

Literal

…the clan of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the clan of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves;

Latin

…familiæ domus Nathan seorsum, et mulieres eorum seorsum: familiæ domus Levi seorsum, et mulieres eorum seorsum: familiæ Semei seorsum, et mulieres eorum seorsum:

Original

Hebrew

English

…the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives,

Notes

Zechariah 12:12–14

the clan of the house of David … Nathan … Levi … Shimei: Zechariah might be referring to the royal families (David and his son Nathan; see 1 Chronicles 14:4) and the priestly families (Levi and his grandson Shimei; see Numbers 3:16–18; 1 Chronicles 6:16–17). Alternatively, the four families might represent the four main leadership roles in Old Testament times:
- the king (David, 1 Samuel 16:1–13),
- the prophet (Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:2),
- the priest (Levi, Deuteronomy 33:8–11), and
- the tribal leader (Shimei, 1 Kings 1:8; 4:18).
The first interpretation aligns with Zechariah’s focus on the Branch that will be both king and priest (see Zechariah 6:12–13).
all the remaining clans: This separation shows the depth and completeness of Israel’s mourning.

Zechariah 12:1–14:21

The theme of Jerusalem versus the nations connects the four messages in Zechariah's second oracle. The nations gather against Jerusalem at both the start (Zechariah 12:1–9) and the end (14:1–15) of the oracle. The repeated phrase on that day points to the future day of the Lord.

This oracle shows both judgment and blessing for Jerusalem. The main focus is the cleansing of the people of Israel (Zechariah 13:1), ending with God's universal kingdom (14:16–21). These future visions encouraged the Judeans of Zechariah's time to stay faithful despite feeling unimportant and helpless.

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

1 Kings 1:8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.
2 Samuel 16:5
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.
1 Chronicles 4:27
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their whole clan did not become as numerous as the sons of Judah.
2 Chronicles 29:14
Jehiel and Shimei from the Hemanites; and Shemaiah and Uzziel from the Jeduthunites.
Exodus 6:16–26
These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
Malachi 2:4–9
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts.
1 Chronicles 3:19
The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. The children of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, their sister Shelomith,
1 Chronicles 23:7
The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.
Numbers 3:1–4
This is the account of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
1 Chronicles 23:10
And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the sons of Shimei—four in all.

Parallels

John 19:31–37

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Shimei: Son of Gershon and grandson of Levi

Glossary

David Mourning Shimei Shimeite Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Levites of Their Repentance of the Crucifixion of the Messiah Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration Shimei: The Ancestor of a Family

Zechariah 12:13

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