Zechariah 13:2

Translations

Modern

And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

Traditional

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Literal

And it will come to pass on that day, a declaration of YHWH of Hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will not be remembered anymore; and also the prophets and the spirit of impurity I will make pass from the land.

Latin

Et erit in die illa, dicit Dominus exercituum: disperdam nomina idolorum de terra, et non memorabuntur ultra: et pseudoprophetas, et spiritum immundum auferam de terra.

Original

Hebrew

English

And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

Notes

Zechariah 13:2

By cleansing Israel, God would remove their past habit of idol worship, giving them a new heart to worship only God (Jeremiah 31:33; 32:38–40; Ezekiel 36:25–28).
In biblical times, a person's name represented their existence. When people forget the names of idols, the idols no longer exist.
False prophets misrepresented God by creating fake divine messages or speaking in the name of other gods (Deuteronomy 13:5–11; 18:17–22). They led Israel away from God by promoting idol worship (Jeremiah 23:13, 25) and would continue to do so (see Nehemiah 6:12–14; Mark 13:22; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1–3) until the day of the Lord.

Zechariah 13:1–6

The second message (Zechariah 13:126) of the second oracle (Zechariah 12–14) focuses on cleansing from sin.

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 22:22
And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
Hosea 2:17
For I will remove from her lips the names of the Baals; no longer will their names be invoked.
Jeremiah 23:14–15
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”
Exodus 23:13
Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips.
Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
Ezekiel 30:13
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.
Ezekiel 37:23
They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.
2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Deuteronomy 12:3
Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.
Ezekiel 13:23
…therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will deliver My people from your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”
Zephaniah 1:3–4
“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
Revelation 16:13–14
And I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning David John the Baptist Postexilic Period Spirit of God Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Demons: Worship of, Forbidden Idolatry: Destruction of, Promised Idolatry: Prophecies Relating To

Zechariah 13:2

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