Zechariah 11:4

Translations

Modern

This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter,

Traditional

Thus saith the Lord my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

Literal

Thus says YHWH my God: “Shepherd the flock of the slaughter.

Latin

Hæc dicit Dominus Deus meus: Pasce pecora occisionis,

Original

Hebrew

English

This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter,

Notes

Zechariah 11:4

The people of Israel are God's flock (see Isaiah 40:11; Micah 5:4). Sheep are helpless, so they need careful shepherding.
marked for slaughter: Like sheep fattened for butchering, people are treated as disposable goods in a corrupt economy.

Zechariah 11:4–17

The Hebrew leaders are compared to shepherds in the last three messages (Zechariah 9:9–11:17) of Zechariah’s first oracle (Zechariah 9–11). This message uses allegory and symbolic actions by Zechariah to show the wickedness of Israel’s leaders. The prophet acts out a story of a “good shepherd” chosen by God to guide and unite the people. However, the people reject this shepherd and the promise of protection from other nations (Zechariah 11:10) and unity between Judah and Israel (11:14). Zechariah’s symbolic actions point ahead to the work of Jesus the Messiah. His ministry fulfills this image as the Good Shepherd (see John 10:1–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature The Shepherd

Events

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

Zechariah 11:7
So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Romans 15:8
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,
Zechariah 14:5
You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.
Isaiah 49:4–5
But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
Micah 5:4
He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
John 20:17
“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
Luke 19:41–44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
Ezekiel 34:23–24
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
Matthew 15:24
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Isaiah 40:9–11
Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Glossary

Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Christian Minister: False and Corrupt

Zechariah 11:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics