And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

ZECHARIAH 13:3KJV
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Zechariah 13:3 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 13:3 mean?

Zechariah 13:3 describes a future time when, if anyone tries to falsely claim they are speaking God’s message, even their own parents will confront them and put an end to their deception, saying they must not live because they are lying in God’s name. The verse shows how seriously false prophecy will be rejected, even by the closest family members.

This verse is part of a prophecy where God, through Zechariah, tells the people that false prophets will no longer be tolerated in the land. The situation is so serious that a father and mother (the ones who "begat" the person) will not defend their child if he falsely claims to speak for God, but will instead take action against him. The passage emphasizes a coming time of spiritual cleansing and truthfulness among God’s people.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 13:3

  • "Prophesy" (נָבָא, nava’): This word means to speak as a prophet. Here, it refers specifically to someone claiming to deliver a message from God, which is shown to be false.
  • "Lies" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means falsehood or deception. The verse highlights that the offense is not just claiming to prophesy, but specifically speaking lies in God’s name.
  • "Thrust" (דָּקַר, daqar): This word means to pierce or stab. The use of such a strong term shows the seriousness of the response to false prophecy, emphasizing the depth of commitment to rooting out deception.

Why Zechariah 13:3 matters

  • Zechariah 13:3 clarifies that loyalty to God’s truth is to be placed even above family ties, highlighting the seriousness of false prophecy in the community.
  • The verse helps explain the context of Zechariah 13, which describes a time when God will purify His people and remove all sources of spiritual deception.
  • This verse corrects the misunderstanding that ancient Israel always tolerated or ignored false prophets; instead, it shows a vision of a community so committed to truth that even parents would not shield their own child from consequences.

Where else these words appear

“thrust” Hebrew H1856 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
  • Jeremiah 51:4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.

“prophesy” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

“lies” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;