Zechariah 11:3

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

Translations

Modern
Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed.
Traditional
There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
Literal
A voice of wailing is among the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins a voice of the roaring of lions, for the height of the Jordan has been devastated.
Latin
Vox ululatus pastorum, quia vastata est magnificentia eorum: vox rugitus leonum, quoniam vastata est superbia Jordanis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed.

Notes

Shepherds and lions symbolically represent the leaders of Lebanon and Bashan. They mourn the loss of their forested slopes, pride, and livelihood (see Zechariah 11:1–2).

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).

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

Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history

Glossary

Zechariah, Book of

Topics

the River Jordan: The Jews had Great Pride In