Zechariah 11:7

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

Literal

And I pastured the flock of slaughter, the afflicted of the flock, and I took for myself two staffs—to one I called Favor, and to one I called Union—and I pastured the flock.

Latin

Et pascam pecus occisionis propter hoc, o pauperes gregis! et assumpsi mihi duas virgas: unam vocavi Decorem, et alteram vocavi Funiculum: et pavi gregem.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Zechariah 11:7

Shepherd’s staffs represent leadership and authority.
Favor: This staff symbolized God's choice of Israel as his people (see Genesis 12:1–3) and the promise of a leader like King David (see 2 Samuel 7:12–16).
Union: Ezekiel’s staff (Ezekiel 37:16–17) represented the unity of the Hebrew tribes as a single nation during King David’s reign (2 Samuel 5:1–3).

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 11:14
Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
Zechariah 11:4
This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter,
Isaiah 11:4
…but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
Ezekiel 37:16–23
“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’
Ephesians 2:13–16
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Zephaniah 3:12
But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
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,
Zechariah 11:10–11
Next I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.
Zechariah 13:8–9
And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Jeremiah 5:4–5
Then I said, “They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.

Glossary

Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Beauty and Bands: The Staves, Broken Poor: God's Care of Shepherds: (Ignorant and Foolish) of Bad Ministers Staves (Long Poles): Symbolical Symbols and Similitudes: Sticks and Staves

Zechariah 11:7

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Translations

Original

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Events

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Topics