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Zechariah 11

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Openפְּתַ֥חpə·ṯaḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → your doorsדְּלָתֶ֑יךָdə·lā·ṯe·ḵā — Door; gate; valve or leaf of a doorH1817 — Full Word Study →, O Lebanonלְבָנ֖וֹןlə·ḇā·nō·wn — White mountainH3844 — Full Word Study →,that the fireאֵ֖שׁ’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → may consumeוְתֹאכַ֥לwə·ṯō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → your cedarsבַּאֲרָזֶֽיךָ׃ba·’ă·rā·ze·ḵā — cedar tree; cedar woodH730 — Full Word Study →! 2Wailהֵילֵ֤לhê·lêl — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O cypressבְּרוֹשׁ֙bə·rō·wōš — Cypress tree; wood prized for buildingH1265 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the cedarאֶ֔רֶז’e·rez — cedar tree; cedar woodH730 — Full Word Study → has fallenנָ֣פַלnā·p̄al — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →;the majestic trees are ruinedשֻׁדָּ֑דוּšud·dā·ḏū — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →!Wailהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙hê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O oaksאַלּוֹנֵ֣י’al·lō·w·nê — Oak tree; a large, sturdy treeH437 — Full Word Study → of Bashanבָשָׁ֔ןḇā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study →,forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the denseהַבָּצוּר׃hab·bå̄·ṣūr — fortified or walled town; strongholdH1208 — Full Word Study → forestיַ֥עַרya·‘ar — Forest; woodland; honeycombH3293 — Full Word Study → has been cut downיָרַ֖דyā·raḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study →! 3Listen toק֚וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → the wailingיִֽלְלַ֣תyil·laṯ — Wailing, loud lamentation, or howling cryH3215 — Full Word Study → of the shepherdsהָרֹעִ֔יםhā·rō·‘îm — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →,forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → their gloryאַדַּרְתָּ֑ם’ad·dar·tām — Garment, robe, or cloak of dignityH155 — Full Word Study → is in ruinsשֻׁדְּדָ֖הšud·də·ḏāh — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →.Listen to the roaringשַׁאֲגַ֣תša·’ă·ḡaṯ — a roaring sound, roarH7581 — Full Word Study → of the young lionsכְּפִירִ֔יםkə·p̄î·rîm — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study →,forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the thicketsגְּא֥וֹןgə·’ō·wn — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → of the Jordanהַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃סhay·yar·dên — The flowing riverH3383 — Full Word Study → are destroyedשֻׁדַּ֖דšud·daḏ — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →. 4This is whatכֹּ֥הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → my Godאֱלֹהָ֑י’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֖ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “Pastureרְעֵ֖הrə·‘êh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → the flockצֹ֥אןṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → marked for slaughter, 5whoseאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → buyersקֹנֵיהֶ֤ןqō·nê·hen — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → slaughter themיַֽהֲרְגֻן֙ya·hăr·ḡun — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → withoutוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → remorseיֶאְשָׁ֔מוּye’·šā·mū — to be guilty; to commit offense or trespassH816 — Full Word Study →. Those who sell themוּמֹכְרֵיהֶ֣ןū·mō·ḵə·rê·hen — to sell; to exchange for paymentH4376 — Full Word Study → sayיֹאמַ֔רyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Blessed beבָּר֥וּךְbā·rūḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, for I am richוַאעְשִׁ֑רwa‘·šir — to become or make rich; to enrichH6238 — Full Word Study →!’ Even their own shepherdsוְרֹ֣עֵיהֶ֔םwə·rō·‘ê·hem — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → have noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → compassionיַחְמ֖וֹלyaḥ·mō·wl — to spare, show pity or compassionH2550 — Full Word Study → on themעֲלֵיהֶֽן׃‘ă·lê·hen — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 6Forכִּ֠יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I will noלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longerע֛וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → have compassionאֶחְמ֥וֹל’eḥ·mō·wl — to spare, show pity or compassionH2550 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the peopleיֹשְׁבֵ֥יyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of the landהָאָ֖רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, but beholdוְהִנֵּ֨הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, Iאָנֹכִ֜י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → will cause eachאִ֤ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → manהָאָדָ֗םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → to fallמַמְצִ֣יאmam·ṣî — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → into the handsבְּיַד־bə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of his neighborרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → andוּבְיַ֣דū·ḇə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → his kingמַלְכּ֔וֹmal·kōw — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →, who will devastateוְכִתְּתוּ֙wə·ḵit·tə·ṯū — To crush, break in pieces, or shatterH3807 — Full Word Study → the landהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, and I will notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → deliver itאַצִּ֖יל’aṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from their handsמִיָּדָֽם׃mî·yā·ḏām — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →.” 7So I pasturedוָֽאֶרְעֶה֙wā·’er·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → the flockצֹ֣אןṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → marked for slaughterהַֽהֲרֵגָ֔הha·hă·rê·ḡāh — Slaughter, carnage, or massacreH2028 — Full Word Study →, especiallyלָכֵ֖ןlā·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → the afflictedעֲנִיֵּ֣י‘ă·nî·yê — Poor, afflicted, humbleH6041 — Full Word Study → of the flockהַצֹּ֑אןhaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →. Then I tookוָאֶקַּֽח־wā·’eq·qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → for myself twoשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → staffsמַקְל֗וֹתmaq·lō·wṯ — rod, staff, walking stickH4731 — Full Word Study →, callingקָרָ֤אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → oneלְאַחַ֞דlə·’a·ḥaḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → Favorנֹ֙עַם֙nō·‘am — Pleasantness, beauty, grace, or charmH5278 — Full Word Study → and the otherוּלְאַחַד֙ū·lə·’a·ḥaḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → Unionחֹֽבְלִ֔יםḥō·ḇə·lîm — Rope, cord, line; inheritance; pain, sorrowH2256 — Full Word Study →, and I pasturedוָאֶרְעֶ֖הwā·’er·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → the flockהַצֹּֽאן׃haṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →. 8And in oneאֶחָ֑ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → monthבְּיֶ֣רַחbə·ye·raḥ — Month; lunar cycle; moonH3391 — Full Word Study → I dismissedוָאַכְחִ֛דwā·’aḵ·ḥiḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → threeשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתšə·lō·šeṯ — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → shepherdsהָרֹעִ֖יםhā·rō·‘îm — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →. My soulנַפְשִׁי֙nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → grew impatientוַתִּקְצַ֤רwat·tiq·ṣar — to cut short, harvest, or reapH7114 — Full Word Study → with the flock, and their soulsנַפְשָׁ֖םnap̄·šām — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → alsoוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → detestedבָּחֲלָ֥הbā·ḥă·lāh — to abhor, loathe, detest with intensityH973 — Full Word Study → me. 9Then I saidוָאֹמַ֕רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I will no longerלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → shepherd youאֶרְעֶ֖ה’er·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →. Let the dyingהַמֵּתָ֣הham·mê·ṯāh — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → dieתָמ֗וּתṯā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, and the perishingוְהַנִּכְחֶ֙דֶת֙wə·han·niḵ·ḥe·ḏeṯ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → perishתִּכָּחֵ֔דtik·kā·ḥêḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study →; and let those who remainוְהַ֨נִּשְׁאָר֔וֹתwə·han·niš·’ā·rō·wṯ — To remain, be left over, surviveH7604 — Full Word Study → devourתֹּאכַ֕לְנָהtō·ḵal·nāh — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → oneאִשָּׁ֖ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → another’sרְעוּתָֽהּ׃rə·‘ū·ṯāh — Companion, neighbor, or associate in relationshipH7468 — Full Word Study → fleshבְּשַׂ֥רbə·śar — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →.” 10Next I tookוָאֶקַּ֤חwā·’eq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → my staffמַקְלִי֙maq·lî — rod, staff, walking stickH4731 — Full Word Study → called Favorנֹ֔עַםnō·‘am — Pleasantness, beauty, grace, or charmH5278 — Full Word Study → and cut it in twoוָאֶגְדַּ֖עwā·’eḡ·da‘ — To cut down or sever completelyH1438 — Full Word Study →, revokingלְהָפֵיר֙lə·hā·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → the covenantבְּרִיתִ֔יbə·rî·ṯî — A binding agreement or covenant between partiesH1285 — Full Word Study → I had madeכָּרַ֖תִּיkā·rat·tî — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsהָעַמִּֽים׃hā·‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 11It was revokedוַתֻּפַ֖רwat·tu·p̄ar — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → on thatהַה֑וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, and soכֵ֜ןḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → the afflictedעֲנִיֵּ֤י‘ă·nî·yê — Poor, afflicted, humbleH6041 — Full Word Study → of the flockהַצֹּאן֙haṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → who were watchingהַשֹּׁמְרִ֣יםhaš·šō·mə·rîm — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → meאֹתִ֔י’ō·ṯî — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → knewוַיֵּדְע֨וּway·yê·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → itהֽוּא׃hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → was the wordדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 12Then I toldוָאֹמַ֣רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → themאֲלֵיהֶ֗ם’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → it seemsבְּעֵינֵיכֶ֛םbə·‘ê·nê·ḵem — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → right to youט֧וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, give meהָב֥וּhā·ḇū — to give, provide, or grantH3051 — Full Word Study → my wagesשְׂכָרִ֖יśə·ḵā·rî — wages, payment, compensation for laborH7939 — Full Word Study →; but ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → notלֹ֣א׀lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →, keep themחֲדָ֑לוּḥă·ḏā·lū — to cease, stop, or desist from an actionH2308 — Full Word Study →.” So they weighed outוַיִּשְׁקְל֥וּway·yiš·qə·lū — to weigh; to pay or reckon valueH8254 — Full Word Study → my wagesשְׂכָרִ֖יśə·ḵā·rî — wages, payment, compensation for laborH7939 — Full Word Study →, thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → pieces of silver. 13And the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to meאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, “Throwהַשְׁלִיכֵ֙הוּ֙haš·lî·ḵê·hū — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study → it toאֵלַ֗י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the potterהַיּוֹצֵ֔רhay·yō·w·ṣêr — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study →”—this magnificentאֶ֣דֶר’e·ḏer — A robe or garment of dignity and honorH145 — Full Word Study → priceהַיְקָ֔רhay·qār — Preciousness, value, honor, or worthH3366 — Full Word Study → at whichאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they valued meיָקַ֖רְתִּיyā·qar·tî — to be precious, honored, or highly valuedH3365 — Full Word Study →. So I tookוָֽאֶקְחָה֙wā·’eq·ḥāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → pieces of silverהַכֶּ֔סֶףhak·ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and threwוָאַשְׁלִ֥יךְwā·’aš·lîḵ — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study → themאֹת֛וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the potterהַיּוֹצֵֽר׃hay·yō·w·ṣêr — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study → in the houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 14Then I cut in twoוָֽאֶגְדַּע֙wā·’eḡ·da‘ — To cut down or sever completelyH1438 — Full Word Study → my secondהַשֵּׁנִ֔יhaš·šê·nî — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study → staffמַקְלִ֣יmaq·lî — rod, staff, walking stickH4731 — Full Word Study → called Union, breakingלְהָפֵר֙lə·hā·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → the brotherhoodהָֽאַחֲוָ֔הhā·’a·ḥă·wāh — Brotherhood, fraternal bond, community of kinshipH264 — Full Word Study → betweenבֵּ֥יןbên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָ֖הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃סyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 15And the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to meאֵלָ֑י’ê·lāy — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →: “Take upקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → once moreע֣וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → the equipmentכְּלִ֖יkə·lî — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → of a foolishאֱוִלִֽי׃’ĕ·wi·lî — Foolish, senseless, lacking wisdomH196 — Full Word Study → shepherdרֹעֶ֥הrō·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →. 16Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → beholdהִנֵּֽה־hin·nêh- — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, Iאָנֹכִי֩’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → will raise upמֵקִ֨יםmê·qîm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → a shepherdרֹעֶ֜הrō·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → in the landבָּאָ֗רֶץbā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → who will neitherלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → care forיִפְקֹד֙yip̄·qōḏ — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → the lostהַנִּכְחָד֤וֹתhan·niḵ·ḥā·ḏō·wṯ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study →, norלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seekיְבַקֵּ֔שׁyə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → the youngהַנַּ֣עַרhan·na·‘ar — young child, boy, servantH5289 — Full Word Study →, nor healיְרַפֵּ֑אyə·rap·pê — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study → the brokenוְהַנִּשְׁבֶּ֖רֶתwə·han·niš·be·reṯ — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study →, norלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → sustainיְכַלְכֵּ֔לyə·ḵal·kêl — to sustain, bear, hold up, containH3557 — Full Word Study → the healthyהַנִּצָּבָה֙han·niṣ·ṣā·ḇāh — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study →, but he will devourיֹאכַ֔לyō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the fleshוּבְשַׂ֤רū·ḇə·śar — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → of the choice sheep and tear offיְפָרֵֽק׃סyə·p̄ā·rêq — to tear apart, rend, break offH6561 — Full Word Study → their hoovesוּפַרְסֵיהֶ֖ןū·p̄ar·sê·hen — hoof; cloven footH6541 — Full Word Study →. 17Woeה֣וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study → to the worthlessהָֽאֱלִיל֙hā·’ĕ·lîl — Idol; worthless thing; false godH457 — Full Word Study → shepherdרֹעִ֤יrō·‘î — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study →,who desertsעֹזְבִ֣י‘ō·zə·ḇî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → the flockהַצֹּ֔אןhaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →!May a swordחֶ֥רֶבḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → strike his armזְרוֹע֖וֹzə·rō·w·‘ōw — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study →and his rightיְמִינ֑וֹyə·mî·nōw — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → eyeעֵ֣ין‘ên — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →!May his armזְרֹעוֹ֙zə·rō·‘ōw — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study → be completely witheredיָב֣וֹשׁyā·ḇō·wōš — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →and his rightיְמִינ֖וֹyə·mî·nōw — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → eyeוְעֵ֥יןwə·‘ên — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → utterly blindedכָּהֹ֥הkā·hōh — to grow weak, dim, or faint; to restrain or rebukeH3543 — Full Word Study →!”
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Chapter Commentary — Zechariah 11
Chapter Overview

Overview

Zechariah 11 presents one of Scripture's most profound and troubling prophecies: a vision of the collapse of Israel's religious leadership and God's judgment upon His people through rejected shepherds and civil strife. Written in symbolic, pastoral language, the chapter depicts both the failure of Israel's false shepherds and—most significantly for Christians—contains unmistakable prefigurements of Christ's rejection and betrayal. This passage calls believers to recognize the consequences of rejecting God's appointed leaders and to trust in Christ's ultimate vindication despite earthly rejection.

Verses 1–5: The Judgment on the Land and False Shepherds

The opening verses employ vivid imagery of forest destruction to signal national calamity. The cedars of Lebanon and oaks of Bashan, representing the nation's strength and proud leadership, fall to fire (verses 1–3). The "voice of howling shepherds" (verse 3) indicates those responsible for God's flock bewailing the loss of their power and privilege. But verses 4–5 reveal the core problem: the shepherds are predators, not protectors. They "slay" the flock without guilt (verse 5), enriching themselves while claiming God's blessing. They show no compassion. This indictment applies to Israel's corrupt priests and political leaders who exploited rather than served God's people. The tragic irony is that those entrusted with care became the instruments of destruction.

Application: Believers must examine whether those who lead us spiritually demonstrate genuine love for the flock or are merely pursuing personal gain. True leadership reflects Christ's servant heart.

Verses 6–11: God's Compassion and the Symbolic Staffs

God declares He will withdraw mercy and allow judgment to fall through civil conflict (verse 6). Yet immediately He pivots to compassion: "I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock" (verse 7). Here the speaker—prefiguring Christ—assumes the shepherd's role with two symbolic staffs: Beauty (representing God's favor and covenant mercies) and Bands (symbolizing national unity). The removal of three shepherds in one month (verse 8) likely represents a swift purging of corrupt leadership. The shepherd's revulsion ("my soul loathed them") and the people's reciprocal hatred reveal mutual rejection. When the flock is left without proper care, they turn to cannibalism—consuming one another (verse 9), depicting social chaos and fraternal violence. The breaking of the Beauty staff (verse 10) signals the withdrawal of covenant protection, yet paradoxically, "the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD" (verse 11). Even in judgment, God's faithful remnant recognizes His hand.

Application: God's judgment is never arbitrary but always purposeful. His people should discern His workings even in difficult seasons and remain faithful to His Word.

Verses 12–17: The Betrayal and the Foolish Shepherd

Verses 12–13 contain Christianity's most striking Old Testament prophecy: the shepherd asks for his wages, and the people weigh out thirty pieces of silver—a contemptible sum, insulting the shepherd's worth. God commands this pittance be cast "unto the potter" (verse 13), words Jesus Himself identified as fulfilled in His betrayal (Matthew 26:14–15, 27:9–10). The breaking of the Bands staff (verse 14) symbolizes the sundering of Judah and Israel, representing fractured national unity. Verses 15–17 shift to a terrifying eschatological vision: God will raise a "foolish shepherd" who abandons the flock entirely—a leader who feeds himself while the sheep perish, tear the animals' flesh, and reject restraint. This shepherd faces divine judgment: his arm and right eye—symbols of strength and discernment—will be destroyed (verse 17), leaving him powerless and blind.

Application: Christ's rejection and crucifixion were not defeats but the fulfillment of God's covenant purposes. His apparent failure accomplished our redemption.

Application for Today

Zechariah 11 warns us to examine both our leaders' character and our own hearts. Do we recognize and honor faithful shepherding, or do we value false leaders who promise ease? More importantly, have we received Christ, the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the flock? In a world of exploitative leadership, His sacrificial love remains our model and our hope.

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