Zechariah 13:1

Authorized King James Version

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיּ֣וֹם
H3117
In that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הַה֗וּא
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
#3
יִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
מָק֣וֹר
H4726
there shall be a fountain
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
#5
נִפְתָּ֔ח
H6605
opened
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
#6
לְבֵ֥ית
H1004
to the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
דָּוִ֖יד
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י
H3427
and to the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#9
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
H3389
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#10
לְחַטַּ֖את
H2403
for sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#11
וּלְנִדָּֽה׃
H5079
and for uncleanness
properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection