Zechariah 13:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 11
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
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 11
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
יִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מָק֣וֹר
there shall be a fountain
H4726
מָק֣וֹר
there shall be a fountain
Strong's:
H4726
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
נִפְתָּ֔ח
opened
H6605
נִפְתָּ֔ח
opened
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
5 of 11
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
לְבֵ֥ית
to the house
H1004
לְבֵ֥ית
to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י
and to the inhabitants
H3427
וּלְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י
and to the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
9 of 11
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
Cross References
Psalms 51:2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.Ezekiel 36:25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.1 John 5:6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Psalms 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.Jeremiah 17:13O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.1 Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Zechariah 12:3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Historical Context
Post-exilic Jews performed ritual washings and sacrifices for cleansing, but these were temporary, external, and repetitive. Zechariah prophesies a permanent, effective cleansing source. Fulfilled in Christ whose once-for-all sacrifice cleanses definitively (Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:1-18). The fountain opened at the cross when Christ's side was pierced and blood and water flowed (John 19:34)—the very connection Zechariah makes between being pierced (12:10) and the fountain opening (13:1). This cleansing becomes available to all who believe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's blood as a fountain differ from Old Testament ceremonial washings?
- What does it mean that the fountain is "opened"—accessible to all who come?
- How should assurance of complete cleansing affect our approach to sin and confession?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Following chapter 12's prophecy of looking on the pierced one, chapter 13 describes cleansing provision. "In that day" links to Messiah's coming. "A fountain opened" (maqor niphthach) describes flowing spring—not a closed cistern but perpetually flowing source of cleansing. "For sin and for uncleanness" (le-chatat u-le-niddah) covers both moral guilt and ceremonial defilement. This fountain is Christ's blood shed at the cross, cleansing all who come (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). The hymn "There Is a Fountain" draws directly from this verse.