And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

ZECHARIAH 13:8KJV
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Zechariah 13:8 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 13:8 mean?

Zechariah 13:8 describes a time when, throughout the land, two-thirds of the people will be cut off and die, while only one-third will remain. This verse presents a prophecy of severe judgment, where a large portion of the population faces destruction, but a smaller group survives.

In this part of Zechariah, God is speaking through the prophet to the people of Israel about future events. The context is one of purification and testing, where the land (meaning the people as a whole) will experience a dramatic reduction. The verse sets up a contrast between the majority who are lost and the minority who are spared, preparing for the following verses that explain what happens to those who remain.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 13:8

  • "land" (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word often refers to the whole territory or people of Israel, not just the physical ground, emphasizing that the prophecy concerns the nation as a whole.
  • "parts" (פֶּה, peh): Literally meaning "mouth," here it is used to mean "portion" or "part." The phrase "two parts" points to a division of the people, not just a random number.
  • "cut off" (כָּרַת, karath): This verb means to be severed or destroyed, highlighting the seriousness of the judgment—it's not just a removal, but a complete ending.
  • "left" (יָתַר, yathar): This word means to remain or be left over, stressing that the surviving third is not just lucky but purposefully preserved.

Why Zechariah 13:8 matters

  • Zechariah 13:8 clarifies that the prophecy is not about a small, isolated event but about a sweeping judgment affecting the whole nation.
  • The verse sets up the importance of the "remnant" theme in the Bible, where a faithful or preserved group remains after judgment.
  • Understanding the division into two-thirds and one-third helps make sense of the following verses, which explain the refining and restoration of those who survive.

Where else these words appear

“die” Hebrew H1478 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
  • Numbers 17:13 Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
  • Job 14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:70 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.