Zechariah 13:9

Authorized King James Version

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And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Original Language Analysis

וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י And I will bring H935
וְהֵבֵאתִ֤י And I will bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ the third part H7992
הַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ the third part
Strong's: H7992
Word #: 3 of 25
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
בָּאֵ֔שׁ through the fire H784
בָּאֵ֔שׁ through the fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 4 of 25
fire (literally or figuratively)
כִּצְרֹ֣ף and will refine H6884
כִּצְרֹ֣ף and will refine
Strong's: H6884
Word #: 5 of 25
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
כִּצְרֹ֣ף and will refine H6884
כִּצְרֹ֣ף and will refine
Strong's: H6884
Word #: 6 of 25
to fuse (metal), i.e., refine (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֶּ֔סֶף them as silver H3701
הַכֶּ֔סֶף them as silver
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 8 of 25
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
כִּבְחֹ֣ן and will try H974
כִּבְחֹ֣ן and will try
Strong's: H974
Word #: 9 of 25
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
כִּבְחֹ֣ן and will try H974
כִּבְחֹ֣ן and will try
Strong's: H974
Word #: 10 of 25
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזָּהָ֑ב them as gold H2091
הַזָּהָ֑ב them as gold
Strong's: H2091
Word #: 12 of 25
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
ה֣וּא׀ H1931
ה֣וּא׀
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 25
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
יִקְרָ֣א they shall call H7121
יִקְרָ֣א they shall call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 14 of 25
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בִשְׁמִ֗י on my name H8034
בִשְׁמִ֗י on my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 15 of 25
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וַֽאֲנִי֙ H589
וַֽאֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 16 of 25
i
אֶעֱנֶ֣ה and I will hear H6030
אֶעֱנֶ֣ה and I will hear
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 17 of 25
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֹת֔וֹ H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יֹאמַ֖ר and they shall say H559
יֹאמַ֖ר and they shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 19 of 25
to say (used with great latitude)
עַמִּ֣י It is my people H5971
עַמִּ֣י It is my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 20 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 21 of 25
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
וְה֥וּא H1931
וְה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 22 of 25
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
יֹאמַ֖ר and they shall say H559
יֹאמַ֖ר and they shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 23 of 25
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֥ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 24 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ is my God H430
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ is my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 25 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried (וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת־הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ וּצְרַפְתִּים כִּצְרֹף אֶת־הַכֶּסֶף וּבְחַנְתִּים כִּבְחֹן אֶת־הַזָּהָב)—the surviving third experiences tzaraph (refining) and bachan (testing/trying). Fire removes impurities from precious metals; suffering purifies faith. This is redemptive discipline, not destructive judgment. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them—purified Israel turns to Yahweh in genuine faith. Qara (call) indicates prayer, covenant appeal.

I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God (וְאָמַרְתִּי עַמִּי הוּא וְהוּא יֹאמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי)—covenant formula restored (compare Hosea 2:23: "I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God"). This is reconciliation language: God acknowledges them as His people; they acknowledge Him as their God. The relationship broken by sin (Hosea 1:9: "Ye are not my people, and I will not be your God") is renewed. Romans 11:25-27 confirms: after the fullness of Gentiles, "all Israel shall be saved."

Historical Context

This describes Israel's end-times conversion when the remnant surviving tribulation recognizes Jesus as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10: "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced"). The 'refining fire' is tribulation suffering that drives them to call on God's name—likely invoking Jesus (Romans 10:13: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved").

Questions for Reflection