Zechariah 13 1

Zechariah 13:1 kjv

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 13:1 nkjv

"In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Zechariah 13:1 niv

"On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Zechariah 13:1 esv

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.

Zechariah 13:1 nlt

"On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.

Zechariah 13 1 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Zechariah 13:1"In that day a fountain shall be opened..."Direct fulfillment statement
Isaiah 4:4"...if the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the blood of Jerusalem from its midst..."Prophecy of cleansing
Isaiah 55:1"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters..."Invitation to spiritual refreshing
Jeremiah 31:34"...for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”"New covenant of forgiveness
Ezekiel 36:25"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you."Promise of spiritual cleansing
John 1:29"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"Identification of Jesus as cleanser
John 19:34"But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water."Literal outflow from Christ’s side
Romans 3:23-25"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood..."Christ's blood as atonement
Hebrews 1:3"...when he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."Christ’s priestly work of cleansing
Hebrews 9:13-14"For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are unclean consecrate a self-sacrifice, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"Superiority of Christ’s purification
Hebrews 10:22"let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."Encouragement to approach God cleansed
1 Peter 1:2"...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."The sprinkling of Jesus' blood
1 John 1:7"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."Continuous cleansing through Christ's blood
Revelation 7:14"...“Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."Robes washed white in the Lamb's blood
Revelation 21:3-4"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes..."Final state of purity and comfort
Psalms 51:2"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!"Prayer for cleansing
Acts 2:38"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."Baptism as a sign of forgiveness
Isaiah 12:3"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."Joy in salvation's provision
Joel 2:28-29"“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..."Pouring out of the Spirit
John 7:37-38"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.’""Jesus as the source of living water

Zechariah 13 verses

Zechariah 13 1 Meaning

A fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. This signifies a future cleansing and restoration, primarily associated with spiritual purification through atonement.

Zechariah 13 1 Context

This verse is found in Zechariah chapter 13, which is part of the larger prophetic book addressing the remnant of Israel after the Babylonian exile and looking towards future restoration. The immediate context of Zechariah 13 is the purification of Israel from idolatry and false prophets, setting the stage for the coming of the Messiah. Chapter 12 speaks of Jerusalem as a cup of staggering and a burdensome stone for the nations, followed by a period of national mourning for Him who has been pierced. Zechariah 13 begins the section that describes the purging and restoration that will accompany the outpouring of God's Spirit.

Zechariah 13 1 Word Analysis

  • בְּיוֹם (beyom) - "in that day." This phrase refers to a future time of divine intervention and fulfillment, connecting to previous prophetic declarations and the coming messianic era.
  • הַהוּא (hahû) - "that." Intensifies "day," specifying a particular, significant day in God's redemptive plan.
  • יִפָּתַח (yippathach) - "will be opened" (Qal, imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular). The Niphal stem implies something that is opened by another. This is an opening by divine action, signifying a new availability.
  • מַעְיָן (ma‘yân) - "fountain," "spring." Often used metaphorically in the Old Testament for a source of life, refreshment, or blessing. It can also refer to the source of something.
  • לְבֵית (lĕvêth) - "for the house of." This refers to the lineage, descendants, or community. It specifically points to the royal line (David) and the people of Jerusalem.
  • דָּוִיד (Dawîdh) - "David." Denotes the Davidic dynasty and kingdom, pointing to the ultimate ruler who will come from his line.
  • וְאֶל־יוֹשְׁבֵי (wĕ’el-yōshĕḇê) - "and for the inhabitants of." This encompasses all the people dwelling in the capital city.
  • יְרוּשָׁלִַם (Yĕrûšālaim) - "Jerusalem." The holy city, the center of God’s presence and the Davidic kingdom, will be the recipient of this grace.
  • לְחַטָּאת (lĕkhaṭṭā’th) - "for sin." The primary purpose of the fountain is atonement for sin. This implies expiation and removal of guilt.
  • וּלְמִגְעָלֶת (ûlĕmig‘aleth) - "and for impurity." This refers to ceremonial or moral uncleanness, suggesting cleansing from both the stain and the power of sin.

Word-Group Analysis:The phrase "fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem" establishes the recipient and the scope of God's gracious provision. The key terms "sin" (חַטָּאת - chattat) and "impurity" (מִגְעָלֶת - migʻaleth) highlight that this is a supernatural cleansing, not merely external. The opening of a fountain signifies a perpetual and abundant source of purification.

Zechariah 13 1 Bonus Section

The imagery of a "fountain" as a source of cleansing and life is consistent throughout Scripture. It contrasts sharply with the cyclical and less effective purification rites of the Old Testament Law. This prophecy anticipates a "new heart" and "new spirit" promised in other prophetic passages (e.g., Ezekiel 36:26), made possible by the finished work of Christ. The temporal aspect, "in that day," strongly links this cleansing to the messianic age and the final restoration. Scholars widely interpret this as a direct reference to the blood of Jesus, which cleanses from all sin. The dual emphasis on "sin" and "impurity" covers both the penalty and the pollution of sin.

Zechariah 13 1 Commentary

This prophecy is profoundly eschatological, pointing to a time of complete spiritual renovation. The "fountain" is understood in a typological sense. While literal fountains provided physical cleansing and life, this prophecy speaks of a spiritual source that eradicates both the guilt (sin) and the contamination (impurity) of sin. The ultimate fulfillment is seen in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death and resurrection provide an unending stream of salvation and sanctification for all who believe. His side, pierced on the cross, literally opened a source of blood and water, signifying cleansing and new life. This divine provision is available to all humanity, especially those who identify with God’s covenant people. It marks a definitive break from the Old Covenant sacrificial system to a New Covenant of complete forgiveness and indwelling Spirit.