(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Zechariah 13:5 He will say, 'I am not a prophet; I work the land, for I was purchased as a servant in my youth.'
Zechariah 13:5
New International Version
Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.’

New Living Translation
He will say, ‘I’m no prophet; I’m a farmer. I began working for a farmer as a boy.’

English Standard Version
but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’

Berean Standard Bible
He will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I work the land, for I was purchased as a servant in my youth.’

King James Bible
But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

New King James Version
But he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.’

New American Standard Bible
but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a cultivator of the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’

NASB 1995
but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’

NASB 1977
but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’

Legacy Standard Bible
but he will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I am a cultivator of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’

Amplified Bible
but he will [deny his identity and] say, ‘I am no prophet. I work the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.’

Christian Standard Bible
He will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I work the land, for a man purchased me as a servant since my youth.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will say: I am not a prophet; I work the land, for a man purchased me as a servant since my youth.

American Standard Version
but he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, they will say, "I'm no prophet. I've been a farmer all my life."

English Revised Version
but he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will say, 'I am not a prophet. I'm a farmer. I've owned this land since I was a child.'

Good News Translation
Instead, he will say, 'I am not a prophet. I am a farmer--I have farmed the land all my life.'

International Standard Version
"He will say, 'I am no mere prophet. A servant of mankind am I, because a man dedicated to this have I been from my youth.'

Majority Standard Bible
He will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I work the land, for I was purchased as a servant in my youth.’

NET Bible
Instead he will say, 'I am no prophet--indeed, I am a farmer, for a man has made me his indentured servant since my youth.'

New Heart English Bible
but he will say, 'I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondservant from my youth.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

World English Bible
but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondservant from my youth.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [one] has said, I am not a prophet, "" A man—I am a tiller of ground, "" For ground [is] my possession from my youth.

Young's Literal Translation
And one hath said, 'I am not a prophet, A man, a tiller of ground I am, For ground is my possession from my youth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying, I am not a prophet; I a man working the land; for man sold me from my youth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he shall say: I am no prophet, I am a husbandman: for Adam is my ex- ample from my youth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he will say, “I am not a prophet; I am a man of agriculture. For Adam has been my example from my youth.”

New American Bible
but each will say, “I am not a prophet. I am a tiller of the soil, for I have owned land since my youth.”

New Revised Standard Version
but each of them will say, “I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the soil; for the land has been my possession since my youth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a farmer; and a man made me zealous to prophesy from my youth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall say: ”I have not been a Prophet, but I am a man who cultivates the land, and a son of man made me zealous from my youth!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but he shall say: 'I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And one shall say, I am not a prophet, for I am a tiller of the ground, for a man brought me up thus from my youth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An End to Idolatry
4And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive. 5He will say, ‘I am not a prophet; I work the land, for I was purchased as a servant in my youth.’ 6If someone asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your chest?’ he will answer, ‘These are the wounds I received in the house of my friends.’…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:28
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.

Amos 7:14-15
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. / But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Micah 3:5-7
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”

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 Kings 19:19-21
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.

Jeremiah 1:6-7
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

John 10:12-13
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an farmer; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

I am no.

Amos 7:14
Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

Acts 19:17-20
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified…

Jump to Previous
Acquired Bondman Bondservant Cattle Farmer Ground Husbandman Livelihood Owner Possession Prophet Slave Soil Sold Taught Tiller Time Worker Young Youth
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Acquired Bondman Bondservant Cattle Farmer Ground Husbandman Livelihood Owner Possession Prophet Slave Soil Sold Taught Tiller Time Worker Young Youth
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.














He will say
This phrase indicates a declaration or confession. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here is "אָמַר" (amar), which is a common term for speaking or saying. The context suggests a renunciation or denial of a previous identity or role. Historically, this reflects a time of purification and truth, where false prophets are exposed and must confess their true nature. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of repentance and turning away from falsehood.

I am not a prophet
The denial of being a prophet is significant. The Hebrew word for prophet is "נָבִיא" (navi), which traditionally refers to someone who speaks on behalf of God. In the context of Zechariah, this statement is part of a larger narrative where false prophets are being unmasked. This reflects a period of spiritual renewal and authenticity, where individuals can no longer hide behind false claims of divine inspiration.

I am a farmer
The term "farmer" here is translated from the Hebrew "אִישׁ עֹבֵד אֲדָמָה" (ish oved adamah), literally "a man working the ground." This phrase emphasizes humility and a return to honest labor. In biblical times, farming was a common and respected occupation, symbolizing a connection to the land and a life of simplicity and integrity. This contrasts with the often lofty and sometimes deceitful claims of false prophets.

The land has been my livelihood
The Hebrew word for "land" is "אֲדָמָה" (adamah), which is also the root for the name "Adam," the first man, emphasizing humanity's connection to the earth. The phrase suggests a life sustained by honest work and a reliance on God's provision through the land. This acknowledgment of the land as a source of sustenance reflects a biblical worldview that values stewardship and the blessings of creation.

since my youth
This phrase indicates a lifelong commitment and consistency in one's vocation. The Hebrew word for "youth" is "נְעוּרִים" (ne'urim), which often denotes a time of learning and growth. By stating that the land has been his livelihood since youth, the speaker emphasizes a long-standing dedication to a simple, honest life, contrasting with the fleeting and deceptive nature of false prophecy. This highlights the biblical principle of faithfulness and integrity over time.

Verse 5. - I am an husbandman. The imposter shall confess the truth about himself, and own that he is only "a tiller of the ground (ἄνθρωπος ἐργαζόμενος τたうνにゅー γがんまνにゅー)," as Genesis 4:2. The abnegation in Amos 7:14 is quite different in character. Man taught me to keep cattle; literally, man bought (or, possessed) me; Revised Version, I have been made a bondman. So eager is he now to hide his false pretensions, that he is willing, to be considered a slave, employed from his youth in farm work, and therefore incapable of executing the prophetical office. Vulgate, Quoniam Adam exemplum meum ab adoloscentia mea; i.e. "I have followed the example of Adam in tilling the ground and in earning my bread by the sweat of my brow." St. Cyril and some modern commentators hold that the false prophet says this in sorrow and repentant, not with any idea of deceiving; and that herein is exhibited a signal instance of the grace of God in the Messanic period, when even such sinners are converted from the error of their ways.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He will say,
וְאָמַ֕ר (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I
אָנֹ֑כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a prophet;
נָבִ֖יא (nā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

I
אָנֹ֔כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

work
עֹבֵ֤ד (‘ō·ḇêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the land,
אֲדָמָה֙ (’ă·ḏā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I was purchased as a servant
הִקְנַ֥נִי (hiq·na·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

in my youth.
מִנְּעוּרָֽי׃ (min·nə·‘ū·rāy)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 13:5 But he will say 'I am no (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 13:4
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