Zechariah 13:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
וְהָיָה֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַיּ֨וֹם
And it shall come to pass in that day
H3117
בַיּ֨וֹם
And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 24
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
הַה֜וּא
H1931
הַה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 24
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
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֗וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֗וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 24
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אַכְרִ֞ית
that I will cut off
H3772
אַכְרִ֞ית
that I will cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
7 of 24
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֤וֹת
the names
H8034
שְׁמ֤וֹת
the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
9 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
out of the land
H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 24
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִזָּכְר֖וּ
and they shall no more be remembered
H2142
יִזָּכְר֖וּ
and they shall no more be remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וְגַ֧ם
H1571
וְגַ֧ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים
and also I will cause the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים
and also I will cause the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
18 of 24
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֥וּחַ
spirit
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
20 of 24
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אַעֲבִ֥יר
to pass
H5674
אַעֲבִ֥יר
to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
22 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Cross References
1 Kings 22:22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.Hosea 2:17For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.Exodus 23:13And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.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.Ezekiel 30:13Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.Revelation 19:20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.Isaiah 2:20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;Isaiah 2:18And the idols he shall utterly abolish.Psalms 16:4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.Jeremiah 29:23Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Post-exilic Israel never returned to the blatant idolatry that characterized pre-exilic Judah. The trauma of Babylonian exile effectively cured them of worshiping physical idols like Baal and Asherah. However, false prophecy remained a threat—those who claimed divine authority but spoke deception. Verses 3-6 describe the shame and exposure awaiting false prophets. Historically, this prophecy looked toward the Messianic age when truth would triumph over falsehood. Jesus fulfilled this by exposing false teachers (Matthew 23) and commissioning apostles to preach truth (Matthew 28:19-20). The early church struggled with false prophets (2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 4:1), but God's word prevailed. Eschatologically, when Christ returns, all deception will end—Satan bound (Revelation 20:2-3), false prophet destroyed (Revelation 19:20), and only truth remaining in God's eternal kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'idols' (anything taking God's place in affection or trust) need to be 'cut off' from your life so their names aren't even remembered?
- How can you discern between true prophetic teaching (proclaiming God's word faithfully) and false prophecy influenced by 'unclean spirits'?
- What does the connection between idolatry and false prophecy teach about the relationship between right worship and right doctrine?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Following the promise of cleansing through the fountain (13:1), God now describes comprehensive spiritual purification. The phrase "in that day" (bayom hahu, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא) links this to Messiah's coming and kingdom. "I will cut off the names of the idols" (akhrit et-shemot ha-atzabim, אַכְרִית אֶת־שְׁמוֹת הָעֲצַבִּים) promises total eradication of idolatry—not just destroying physical idols but eliminating their very names from memory.
The Hebrew word for idols, atzabim (עֲצַבִּים), literally means "pains" or "sorrows," emphasizing idolatry's destructive nature. Post-exilic Israel indeed largely abandoned physical idolatry (unlike pre-exilic generations), though spiritual idolatry remained. "And also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land" connects false prophecy with demonic influence. The term "unclean spirit" (ruach ha-tumah, רוּחַ הַטֻּמְאָה) contrasts with the Holy Spirit (ruach ha-kodesh, רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ)—false prophets operate under satanic deception (1 Kings 22:22-23, 1 John 4:1-6).
This dual cleansing—removal of idols and false prophets—addresses both objects of false worship and purveyors of false teaching. The New Testament shows partial fulfillment as the gospel spreads, with ultimate fulfillment in the new creation where nothing unclean enters (Revelation 21:27, 22:15). Christ's ministry included casting out demons and warning against false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24).