Zechariah 13:2
New International Version
“On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the LORD Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

New Living Translation
“And on that day,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will erase idol worship throughout the land, so that even the names of the idols will be forgotten. I will remove from the land both the false prophets and the spirit of impurity that came with them.

English Standard Version
“And on that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness.

Berean Standard Bible
And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

King James Bible
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

New King James Version
“It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.

New American Standard Bible
“And it will come about on that day,” declares the LORD of armies, “that I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

NASB 1995
“It will come about in that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

NASB 1977
“And it will come about in that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And it will be in that day,” declares Yahweh of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass away from the land.

Amplified Bible
“In that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the [false] prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

Christian Standard Bible
On that day”—this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies—“I will remove the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will banish the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On that day"—this is the declaration of the LORD of Hosts—"I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD All-Powerful says: When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them.

English Revised Version
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"On that day," declares the LORD of Armies, "I will wipe away the names of the idols from the land. They will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the [false] prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

Good News Translation
At that time I will remove the names of the idols from the land, and no one will remember them any more. I will get rid of anyone who claims to be a prophet and will take away the desire to worship idols.

International Standard Version
"At that time," declares the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, "I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will not be remembered anymore. I will also force both prophet and demon to leave the land.

Majority Standard Bible
And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

NET Bible
And also on that day," says the LORD who rules over all, "I will remove the names of the idols from the land and they will never again be remembered. Moreover, I will remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.

New Heart English Bible
It will come to pass in that day, says the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

World English Bible
It will come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass in that day,” "" A declaration of YHWH of Hosts, "" “I cut off the names of the idols from the land, "" And they are not remembered anymore, "" And also the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness "" I cause to pass away from the land.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, in that day, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, I cut off the names of the idols from the land, And they are not remembered any more, And also the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness I cause to pass away from the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in that day, says Jehovah of armies, I will cut off the names of the images from the land, and they shall be remembered no more: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will destroy the names of idols out of the earth, and they shall be remembered no more: and I will take away the false prophets, and the unclean spirit out of the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And this shall be in that day, says the Lord of hosts: I will disperse the names of the idols from the earth, and they will not be remembered any longer. And I will take away the false prophets and the unclean spirit from the earth.

New American Bible
On that day—oracle of the LORD of hosts—I will destroy the names of the idols from the land, so that they will be mentioned no more; I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness from the land.

New Revised Standard Version
On that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more; and also I will remove from the land the prophets and the unclean spirit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it shall come to pass on that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will do away with the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will remove from the land the false prophets and the unclean spirits.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In that day, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, I shall destroy the names of idols from the land, and they shall not be remembered again, and I shall remove lying Prophets from the land and foul spirits
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall come to pass in that day, Saith the LORD of hosts, That I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, And they shall no more be remembered; And also I will cause the prophets And the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will utterly destroy the names of the idols from off the land, and there shall be no longer any remembrance of them: and I will cut off the false prophets and the evil spirit from the land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An End to Idolatry
1“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. 2And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. 3And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Ezekiel 13:2-3
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Jeremiah 23:30-32
“Therefore behold,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words they attribute to Me.” / “Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’” / “Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Micah 5:12-13
I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. / I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands.

Isaiah 2:18
and the idols will vanish completely.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.

Acts 13:6-10
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...

Hosea 2:17
For I will remove from her lips the names of the Baals; no longer will their names be invoked.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.


Treasury of Scripture

And it shall come to pass in that day, said the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

I will cut.

Exodus 22:13
If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

Deuteronomy 12:3
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.

Joshua 23:7
That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

cause.

1 Kings 22:22
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

Jeremiah 8:10-12
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely…

Jeremiah 23:14,15
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah…

unclean.

Matthew 12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Luke 11:20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

Revelation 16:13,14
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet…

Jump to Previous
Affirmation Almighty Armies Banish Cause Cut Declares Hosts Idols Images Impurity Longer Memory Names Prophets Remembered Remove Spirit Unclean
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Affirmation Almighty Armies Banish Cause Cut Declares Hosts Idols Images Impurity Longer Memory Names Prophets Remembered Remove Spirit Unclean
Zechariah 13
1. The fountain of purgation for Jerusalem,
2. from idolatry, and false prophecy.
7. The death of Christ, and the trial of a third part.














And on that day
This phrase is a prophetic marker often used in the Old Testament to denote a future time of divine intervention or fulfillment of God's promises. In Hebrew, "that day" (בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא) signifies a specific, significant time when God acts decisively. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His plans. The phrase sets the stage for a transformative event, emphasizing the eschatological hope that God will bring about a new order.

declares the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" (יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת) underscores God's supreme authority and power. "Hosts" refers to the heavenly armies, indicating God's command over all spiritual and earthly forces. This declaration assures the reader of the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. It is a comforting reminder that the promises and actions described are backed by the omnipotent Creator, who is both a warrior and protector of His people.

I will erase the names of the idols from the land
The act of erasing (הִכְרַתִּ֤י) signifies a complete removal or obliteration. In ancient Near Eastern culture, names held power and significance; thus, erasing the names of idols implies their total eradication and loss of influence. Idolatry was a persistent issue for Israel, often leading them away from God. This promise reflects God's commitment to purify His people and restore true worship. It is a call to spiritual renewal and a return to monotheistic devotion.

and they will no longer be remembered
Forgetting (לֹ֥א יִזָּכְר֖וּ) the idols indicates a profound transformation in the collective memory and culture of the people. In biblical terms, to remember is to act upon or give significance to something. Thus, the absence of remembrance signifies a break from past sins and a new identity centered on God. This phrase offers hope for a future where the distractions and deceptions of false gods are no longer present.

I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land
The removal (וְגַ֨ם אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִ֜ים) of false prophets and the spirit of impurity (רוּחַ הַטֻּמְאָ֖ה) highlights God's intention to cleanse His people from misleading influences and moral corruption. Prophets in ancient Israel were meant to be God's mouthpieces, but false prophets led the people astray. The "spirit of impurity" refers to the pervasive influence of sin and idolatry. This promise of purification is a precursor to the New Covenant, where God's Spirit would dwell within His people, guiding them in truth and holiness. It is an assurance of God's active role in sanctifying His people, preparing them for a restored relationship with Him.

Verse 2. - I will cut off the names of the idols. Idols should be so utterly abolished that their very names should perish (Hosea 2:17; Micah 5:12, 13; Zephaniah 1:4). The prophet names the two chief sins which had brought ruin on the old theocracy - idolatry and false prophetism, and declares that these shall not be found in the new theocracy. As these two sins were not specially prevalent after the Captivity, some see in their mention here an argument for the pre-exilian authorship of this part of Zechariah. But the prophet, grounding his message on past history, does well to give assurance that such lapses shall not happen again. Nor is it altogether certain that the warning against these errors was not needed after the return. There were false prophets in Nehemiah's time (Nehemiah 6:14); and we read in the Book of Maccabees that many Jews adopted heathen rites and customs, among which the worship of idols must have been included (1 Macc. 1:11, etc.; 2 Macc. 4:13, etc.), and the people and even priests contracted marriages with heathen wives (Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:23); so that there was real danger of relapse. The prophets. The false prophets are meant, as is evident from their being associated with idols and the unclean spirit, and from vers. 3-6. The Septuagint has, "the false prophets;" so the Vulgate. The unclean spirit. This is the lying spirit which works in the false prophets (see 1 Kings 22:19-23), and which we find later denounced by apostles (Acts 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:20, 21; 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10; 1 Timothy 4:1). Septuagint, τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἀκάθαρτον (comp, Matthew 12:43; Revelation 18:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And
וְהָיָה֩ (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on that
הַה֜וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day,
בַיּ֨וֹם (ḇay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

declares
נְאֻ֣ם ׀ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts,
צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

I will erase
אַכְרִ֞ית (’aḵ·rîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the names
שְׁמ֤וֹת (šə·mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the idols
הָֽעֲצַבִּים֙ (hā·‘ă·ṣab·bîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6091: An, image

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the land,
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and they will no
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

longer
ע֑וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

be remembered.
יִזָּכְר֖וּ (yiz·zā·ḵə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

I will also remove
אַעֲבִ֥יר (’a·‘ă·ḇîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the prophets
הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

and the unclean
הַטֻּמְאָ֖ה (haṭ·ṭum·’āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2932: Religious impurity

spirit
ר֥וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the land.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 13:2 It will come to pass in that (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 13:1
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