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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
FALSE PROPHETS AND GOD’S SHEPHERD

Summary

A future spring is promised for cleansing from sin and impurity. False prophets try to hide who they are. The sheep are scattered when the sword strikes the Shepherd, but insignificant ones are tested like gold.

Zechariah 13:1-6 – False Prophets Masquerade

ZC13:1 The utterance of Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies declares: “In that day it will happen that there will be a fountain permanently available 344 [John 4:14] for David’s dynasty as well as Jerusalem’s inhabitants 345 to wash away sin [Acts 22:16] and impurity. 346

344

In that day it will happen that there will be a fountain permanently available: Or, ASV: In that day there shall be a fountain opened; LXX: In that day there will be a fountain open. See the PEGE of John 4:14 and Revelation 7:17. The “day” here is during the generation of Jesus, though that is but a beginning.

345	David’s dynasty as well as Jerusalem’s inhabitants: This “everlasting” fountain is first available to descendants of David – the disciples of Jesus – and others living in Jerusalem.

346

To wash away sin and impurity: Or, ASV: for sin and for uncleanness; BAS: for purification and for sprinkling; NJB: to wash sin and impurity away; TAN: for purging and cleansing; JPS: for removal and for separation; LXX: for sin and for that which is unclean. [Isaiah 1:6; Ezekiel 36:25] It begins with Jews in the days of Jesus. On the phrase “wash away sin” see Acts 22:16.

ZC13:2 In that day 347 it will happen that I will cut off idolatrous names out of the land, and they will be forgotten. 348 Also, I will cause the false prophets [Matthew 24:11] and the impure frame of mind [Mark 7:20-23] to vanish from the land. 349

347	In that day: That is, the days of Jesus and the Jewish generation.

348

I will cut off idolatrous names out of the land, and they will be forgotten: Or, ASV: I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered; LXX: that I will have the names of the images cut off out of the land, and there will be no more memory of them. [Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 12:3; Ezekiel 36:25; Zephaniah 1:4] Certainly the names of idolatrous images once worshipped by apostate Jews and pagan Romans have passed into antiquity. Within the early Church John’s words were obeyed, “Children, be on guard against idols.” [1 John 5:21]

349

I will cause the false prophets and the impure frame of mind to vanish from the land: Or, ASV: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land; JPS: and I will cut off the false prophets and the evil spirit [RUWACH] from the land; LXX: and I will send all the prophets [PSEUDOPROPHETAS] and the unclean spirit [PNEUMA TO AKATHARTON] away from the land. Note the PSEUDOPROPHETAI of Matthew 24:11. [Jeremiah 8:10; 23:14; Ezekiel 14:9] The phrase “impure frame of mind” is literally “unclean spirit.” It may be viewed from at least three frames of reference: a] an impure frame of mind [See Mark 7:20-23]; b] a demon [See Matthew 12:43; Mark 1:23 – AKATHARTON PNEUMA]; and, c] the demonic inspiration [See 1 John 4:1; Revelation 16:14]. For details on AKATHARSIA see notes on Galatians 5:19.

ZC13:3 It will take place that whenever any man prophesies again his own father and mother who gave birth to him will tell him, 350 ‘Because you have spoken what is false in the Name of Y^eH^oW^aH you will no longer exist.’ 351 Just so his own mother and father who gave birth to him will stab him if he ever speaks prophecy. 352

350

It will take place that whenever any man prophesies again his own father and mother who gave birth to him will tell him: Or, ASV: And it shall come to pass that, when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say; LXX: And if anyone goes on acting as a prophet, then his father and his mother who gave him life will say to him.

351

Because you have spoken what is false in the Name of YeHoWaH you will no longer exist: Or, ASV: Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of Jehovah; JPS: spoken lies in the name of the Lord; LXX: for you are saying what is false [PSEUDE] in the name of the Lord. First the false prophet’s own family rejects him, and such must have been the case during 66-73 AD. [Acts 13:6] Compare Deuteronomy 18:20-22.

352

Just so his own mother and father who gave birth to him will stab him if he ever speaks prophecy: Or, ASV: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth; JPS: and his father and his mother who gave him birth shall bind him as he is prophesying; LXX: and his father and his mother will put a sword through him when he does so. It is likely this literally happened during the siege on Jerusalem in 70 AD or at Masada. [Deuteronomy 13:6, 9; 18:20]

ZC13:4 For a certainty it will happen in that day the prophets will become ashamed – every one of them when they have a prophetic vision. 353 Nor will they ever again wear a prophetic garment of hair in order to deceive others. 354

353

For a certainty it will happen in that day the prophets will become ashamed – every one of them when they have a prophetic vision: Or, ASV: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesieth; JPS: shall be ashamed every one of his vision when he prophesies; LXX: And it will come about in that day that the prophets will be shamed, every man on account of his vision. Compare the KATAISKHYNTHESONTAI here in the LXX with that in 1 John 2:28 – AISKHYNTHOMEN. [Daniel 12:2 LXX] Christian prophets throughout the Church Age have proved to be disappointing and have been embarrassed over their prophecies. See notes on Luke 21:8. Deuteronomy 18:22 counsels not to fear the claimed authority of such a presumptuous prophet.

354

Nor will they ever again wear a prophetic garment of hair in order to deceive others: Or, ASV: neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive; LXX: and they will not put on a robe of hair for purposes of deceit. On such a garment see 2 Kings 1:8 and Matthew 3:4. Note the Nazarene’s words at Matthew 7:15, 21-23.

ZC13:5 Instead such a man will claim, ‘I am not a prophet! I am just a farmer tilling the land, for I am only a common man purchased as a slave in my youth.’ 355

355

Instead such a man will claim, ‘I am not a prophet! I am just a farmer tilling the land, for I am only a common man purchased as a slave in my youth: Or, ASV: he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth; JPS: I am not a prophet, for I am a tiller of the ground, for a man brought me up thus from my youth; LXX: I am no prophet, but a worker on the land; for I have been an owner of land from the time when I was young.

ZC13:6 Then someone will ask him, ‘What are these scars on your chest?’ 356 And he will respond, ‘I got these scars when I was in the house of my best friends.’ 357

356

Then someone will ask him, ‘What are these scars on your chest: Or, ASV: What are these wounds between thine arms; JPS: What are these wounds between thine hands; NJB: what are these gashes on your chest. Some ancient prophets abused themselves with knives or faggots and would have scars on chest and back. [1 Kings 18:28]

357

I got these scars when I was in the house of my best friends: Or, ASV: Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends; JPS: I was wounded in my beloved house; LXX: Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends [AGAPETO MOU] That is, “O, I got those brawling with friends.” Note Proverbs 23:29, 35.

Zechariah 13:7-9 – YHWH’s Shepherd and the Little Flock

ZC13:7 “Awaken, O sword, against My Shepherd 358 [John 10:11] – against the valiant Man who is My associate! 359 Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies declares, Strike the Shepherd and let the Flock be scattered! 360 [Matthew 26:31] And yet I will turn back My hand with favor upon those who are insignificant. 361 [Luke 12:32]

358

Awaken, O sword, against My Shepherd: Or, BAS: Awake, O sword, against My shepherd; JPS: Awake, O sword, against my shepherds; LXX: Awake! O sword, against the keeper of my flock [POIMENAS]. Compare the POIMEN at John 10:11. [Ezekiel 34:23; Micah 5:4; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4] Jesus is the Messianic-shepherd tending “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” The “sword” will prove to be that of Rome provoked by the Jews. [Romans 13:4]

359

Against the valiant Man who is My associate: Or, ASV: against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah; BAS: the man that is near unto Me; JPS: my citizen; LXX: against him who is with me; RHM: who is my companion; NJB: who is close to me; TAN: the man in charge of my flock; BAG: [LXX] the man who is my citizen [POLITEN MOU]. The Hebrew for “associate” is ‘AMIYTH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5997, relation, neighbour, associate, fellow]. The “valiant man” [the Shepherd] is not Jehovah Himself, but another. Compare Proverbs 8:22, 27, 30 and the “sure worker” [RHM] in the Presence of YHWH at the creation. The phrase suggests the pre-existence of the Messiah. [For details on the pre-existence of Christ begin with John 6:62 in Nazarene Commentary 2000-2002©.] The term “valiant Man” is from the Hebrew GEBER [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1397, man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight)]. The LXX Greek for “man” is ANDRA meaning “male.” See notes on ANDRSO and ANER in the 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures.

360

Strike the Shepherd and let the Flock be scattered: Or, ASV: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; JPS: smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep; LXX: put to death the keeper of the sheep [POIMENAS], and the sheep [PROBATA] will go in flight; BAG: draw out the sheep; TAN: let the flock scatter; NJB: scatter the sheep. Matthew’s version of the quotation reads: ‘I shall smite [PATAZO] the shepherd [TON POIMENA] and the sheep [TA PROBATA] of the flock [TES POIMENS] will be scattered [DIASCORPISTHESONTAI].’ [Matthew 26:31 NCMM; compare also Mark 14:27] The “striking” of the Messiah in death was foretold in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. [Daniel 9:26] Note Jesus’ warning to his “little flock” at John 16:32. See notes above in Zechariah 12:11, 12 and the moaning in among David’s descendants.

361

And yet I will turn back My hand with favor upon those who are insignificant: Or, ASV: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones; TAN: shepherd boys; JPS: and I will bring mine hand upon the little ones [TSA-AR’]; LXX: the little ones [TOUS MICROUS]. The Hebrew is TSA-AR’ [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #6819, little… insignificant… small]. One cannot ignore a strong echo of this in the Nazarene in Luke 12:32 – MICRON POIMNION – for both are present in Zechariah 13:7. The term “little flock” was used by Jesus of his apostles. For details on the “little flock” see Biblical Articles on the subject.

ZC13:8 Y^eH^oW^aH declares that throughout the land it will happen that two-thirds will be cut off and perish. 362 However, a third will survive as a remnant. 363

362

Throughout the land it will happen that two-thirds will be cut off and perish: Or, ASV: two parts therein shall be cut off and die; LXX: two parts of it will be cut off and come to an end. If the prophetic context of Christ’s generation is used then one can see the fulfillment in the great slaughter on the Jewish homeland between 66-73. One million died in Jerusalem alone. [For details see Josephus’ War of the Jews.]

363

A third will survive as a remnant: Or, LXX: but the third [TRITON] will be still living there; TAN: one-third of it shall survive. Likely with reference to the surviving Jews, with one hundred thousand taken as slaves by the Romans. Note the word TRITON at Revelation 9:15. It is possible Jesus may think of this at Matthew 24:22. It certainly would include the thousands of early Christian disciples. [Romans 9:27, 29; 11:5, 7]

ZC13:9 Then I will cause this third to pass through the fire, refining them just as someone refines silver. 364 I will test them as one tests gold. 365 [Revelation 3:18] This [tested gold] will call upon My Name, 366 [Acts 2:21] and I will respond to [the tested gold], saying, ‘My People – this [tested gold]!’ 367 And then [the tested gold] will say, ‘My God is Y^eH^oW^aH!’” 368

364

I will cause this third to pass through the fire, refining them just as someone refines silver: Or, ASV: I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined; JPS: I will try them as silver is tried; LXX: I will make the third part go through the fire, cleaning them as silver is made clean. [Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10] See notes on Malachi 3:2 and its application to Jesus and his first disciples. Note 1 Corinthians 3:12.

365

I will test them as one tests gold: Or, JPS: and I will prove them as gold is proved; LXX: and testing them as gold is tested. See notes on Malachi 3:3. Compare 1 Peter 1:7. Revelation 3:18 has the Risen Master speaking of KHRYSION [gold] PEPEYROMENON [having been purified] EK [out of] PYROS [fire]. Zechariah 13:9 in the LXX uses PYROUTAI… KHYSION]. In the LXX Greek the word for “tests” is DOCIMAZETAI [English = document]. The proving, refining, testing, or documentation of the apostles and early disciples is recounted in Acts.

366

This [tested gold] will call upon My Name: Or, ASV: They shall call on my name; LXX: and they will make their prayer to me. Literally, the Hebrew is “it” referring to the refined gold. That Name is the noma sagrada YHWH [Yahweh, Yehwah, Yehowah, Jehovah]. The early Church knew and used YHWH as God’s Name. [Acts 15:17; Romans 9:17; 10:13] Compare similar language at Acts 2:21 where the Hebrew New Testament by the Society for distributing the Hebrew Scriptures [SHS] includes YHWH in the verse.

367

And I will respond to [the tested gold], saying, ‘My People – this [tested gold]: Or, ASV: and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; BAS: and I will answer them; I will say: ‘It is My people; JPS: and I will hear them, and say, This is my people; LXX: and they will make their prayer to me and I will give them an answer: I will say, It is my people. [Isaiah 58:9; Jeremiah 30:22; Romans 9:25]

368

And then [the tested gold] will say, ‘My God is YeHoWaH: Or, ASV: and they shall say, Jehovah [YHWH] is my God [‘ELOHIYM]; LXX: and they will say, The Lord is my God. [Psalm 144:15; Revelation 21:7] This tested gold would first be the earliest apostles and disciples of the Nazarene Master. The LXX Greek is KYRIOS [Lord] HO [the] THEOS [God] MOU [my]. As many times elsewhere –also in the Christian Scriptures – KYRIOS is without the article “the” and thus indicates that originally YHWH occurred in the LXX as it does in the Hebrew Text. See similar notes in 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures by searching YHWH. This indicates that the “little flock” of Jehovah’s Shepherd would have been highly familiar with the Name of God. The verses also prove that the Shepherd here is not Jehovah Himself, but His “associate.”