Keraia
Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11:2

The Doomed Flock · Zechariah 11:1–9
Read Zechariah 11

Translations

Modern
Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down!
Traditional
Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.
Literal
Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the mighty ones are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for forest the dense has gone down.
Latin
Ulula, abies, quia cecidit cedrus, quoniam magnifici vastati sunt: ululate, quercus Basan, quoniam succisus est saltus munitus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down!

Notes

Zechariah 11:2

Lebanon and Bashan had excellent forests. These places are often mentioned together (Isaiah 2:13; Jeremiah 22:20–22; Ezekiel 27:5–6) to represent nations that God would judge. This judgment would occur when God regathers and restores the people of Israel (see Zechariah 10:11).

Zechariah 11:1–3

This taunt song against Lebanon and Bashan wraps up the earlier message about Israel's deliverance and restoration (Zechariah 10:1–12). It might also lead into the next message about good and bad shepherds (Zechariah 11:4–17).

Zechariah 10:1–11:3

God will strengthen his people with his power and restore them because of his compassion (Zechariah 10:6, 12). The passage mentions shepherds several times (Zechariah 10:2–3; 11:3). These references prepare the reader for the next section, which uses an allegory (a symbolic story) about good and evil shepherds (11:4–17).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Places

Bashan: Region east of the Jordan, known for its fertility

Glossary

Palestine Pine Tree Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Bashan: Forests of, Famous Cedar: Figurative Forests: Bashan The Oak-Tree of Wicked Rulers