Zechariah 12:13
The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת
The family
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת
The family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
1 of 11
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
בֵּית
of the house
H1004
בֵּית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְבָ֔ד
H905
לְבָ֔ד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
לְבָ֑ד
H905
לְבָ֑ד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת
The family
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת
The family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
7 of 11
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הַשִּׁמְעִי֙
of Shimei
H8097
הַשִּׁמְעִי֙
of Shimei
Strong's:
H8097
Word #:
8 of 11
a shimite (collectively) or descendants of shimi
לְבָ֔ד
H905
לְבָ֔ד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Historical Context
First-century religious leadership—Sanhedrin, chief priests, scribes, Pharisees—orchestrated Jesus's execution (Matthew 26:3-4, 27:20). This prophecy envisions their descendants recognizing and repenting of that crime. Collectively, Israel's spiritual and civil leadership will mourn when the Spirit of grace reveals the pierced One as their own Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- What additional responsibility do spiritual leaders bear when leading people away from truth?
- How does naming both royal and priestly families show that no sector of society can claim innocence?
- In what way does the church today need to mourn complicity in rejecting Christ through disobedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart—after the royal house (David, Nathan), Zechariah names the priestly tribe. Levi represents spiritual leadership—priests, Levites who served in temple worship. Their separate mourning acknowledges that spiritual leaders bear special guilt for rejecting Messiah. The family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart—Shimei was a Levite clan (Numbers 3:18), reinforcing the priestly emphasis.
The progression (royal, then priestly) mirrors Israel's leadership structure. Both civil and religious authorities share responsibility for crucifying Jesus. The Gospels confirm this: "The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death" (Mark 14:1). Acts repeatedly emphasizes that 'rulers' killed Messiah (Acts 3:17, 4:27, 13:27). This mourning fulfills Isaiah 53:3: "He is despised and rejected of men"—now, at last, that rejection is mourned and confessed.