Zechariah 11:8

Translations

Modern

And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.

Traditional

Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

Literal

And I cut off the three shepherds in one month, and My soul became short with them, and also their soul felt loathing for me.

Latin

Et succidi tres pastores in mense uno, et contracta est anima mea in eis, siquidem et anima eorum variavit in me.

Original

Hebrew

English

And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.

Notes

Zechariah 11:8

The mysterious historical mention of three evil shepherds has led to over 40 attempts to identify them. None of these explanations is effective. Three represents completeness. God appoints good shepherds to replace evil ones for the well-being of his people.

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

John 7:7
The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.
John 15:18
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
Matthew 23:34–36
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town.
Isaiah 49:7
Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”
Luke 19:14
But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’
John 15:23–25
Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well.
Hosea 5:7
They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land.
Leviticus 26:11
And I will make My dwelling place among you, and My soul will not despise you.
Hosea 9:15
All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.
Hebrews 10:38
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
Jeremiah 14:21
For the sake of Your name do not despise us; do not disgrace Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us; do not break it.
Deuteronomy 32:19
When the LORD saw this, He rejected them, provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.

Glossary

Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Shepherds: (Ignorant and Foolish) of Bad Ministers Staves (Long Poles): Symbolical

Zechariah 11:8

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