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.

ZECHARIAH 13:1KJV
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Zechariah 13:1 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 13:1 mean?

Zechariah 13:1 describes a future time when a source of cleansing will be made available to the people of Jerusalem and the family of David, specifically to remove sin and impurity. The verse promises that forgiveness and purification will be open to those in Jerusalem, addressing both moral wrongdoing and ritual uncleanness.

The prophet Zechariah is speaking to the people of Judah after their return from exile, looking ahead to a day when God will provide a way to deal with the problem of sin (Hebrew: חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh) and uncleanness (Hebrew: נִדָּה, niddāh). The "fountain" (Hebrew: מָקוֹר, maqor) is a vivid picture of something abundant and freely flowing, suggesting that this cleansing will be generous and accessible. This verse stands as a hopeful promise in a section where God is describing future restoration and spiritual renewal for His people.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 13:1

  • "Fountain" (מָקוֹר, maqor): This word means a spring or source of water, often used in the Hebrew Bible to symbolize life, purity, and abundance. Here, it highlights the idea that cleansing from sin will be plentiful and ongoing, not limited or scarce.
  • "Sin" (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh): This term refers to moral wrongdoing or offense against God. The verse emphasizes that the coming cleansing will address deep spiritual faults, not just surface issues.
  • "Uncleanness" (נִדָּה, niddāh): This word often relates to ritual impurity, especially in the context of the temple and worship. Its use here shows that the promised cleansing covers both moral and ritual aspects, making people fit for relationship with God.

Why Zechariah 13:1 matters

  • Zechariah 13:1 clarifies that God's promise of cleansing is not just for individual sins but also for the broader state of impurity that separated people from worship and community life.
  • The verse connects to earlier promises in Zechariah about a coming time of renewal, showing that restoration is not just political or physical but deeply spiritual.
  • By mentioning both the "house of David" and the "inhabitants of Jerusalem," the verse signals that this cleansing is for leaders and ordinary people alike, emphasizing its wide reach.

Where else these words appear

“fountain” Hebrew H4726 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 12:7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
  • Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
  • Proverbs 25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

“uncleanness” Hebrew H5079 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Leviticus 15:33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

“opened” Hebrew H6605 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • Nehemiah 1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: