Zechariah 11

1. Lebanon. Lebanon and Bashan, with their forests, are often put for the princes and nobles (see Isa. ii. 12, 13, and note; x. 34; Ezek. xvii. 3), here called “shepherds” and “lions.”

2 the forest of the vintage. Rather, “the ‘strong’ or ‘defenced’ forest” (R.V.); i.e., that which seemed least liable to injury.

3 [There is] a voice of the howling, etc. Literally, and more emphatically, as R.V., “A voice of the howling of the shepherds!”

the pride of Jordan. See note on Jer. xii. 5. The “young lions,” dislodged by the fire from the brakes and thickets, fill the land with their cry.

4. Feed. An address to Zechariah, who in his relation to the people typifies the Good Shepherd.

the flock of the slaughter (of slaughter). That is, the flock devoted to slaughter, and valued only for that purpose.

6. I will deliver the men, etc. This points to the subjection of the Jews to their oppressors through many ages.

7. And I will feed the flock. Rather, as R.V., “So I fed the flock,” carrying out the injunction of ver. 4.

O poor of the flock! Or, “verily a most miserable flock!” See R.V., and marg.

two staves. Shepherds carried “a rod and a staff”—a cudgel for defence against attack, and a crook to tend and guide the flock. Psa. xxiii. 4.

Beauty . . . Bands. Favour and Union. Favour or Goodwill on the part of God and Unity amongst men. The former staff was for defence against the nations, a sign of protection from their attacks, see ver. 10; the latter, an emblem of the unity of the flock.

8. Three shepherds. Rather, “The three shepherds.” This probably means “all”; possibly with reference to the three classes of rulers among the Jews—the priests, magistrates, and prophets. All these were unfaithful.

in one month. That is, within a short space of time.

My soul loathed them, etc. “My soul was weary of them (i.e., of the flock, the people), and their soul also loathed Me,” R.V.

9 eat every one the flesh of another. That is, Let them suffer the worst consequences of war and famine: see 2 Kings vi. 26-29. During the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, this was actually done: see Jos. Wars, v. 10, § 3; vi. 3, §§ 3, 4.

10 my covenant which I had made with all the people (peoples). Restraining them from dispersing Israel.

11 and so the poor of the flock, etc. The Septuagint has “the Canaanites” (cp. Zech. xiv. 21). Moffatt translates “hucksters.” For “waited upon me,” read, with R.V., “gave heed unto me.”

12 give ye my price. I asked the rulers for my wages. The contemptible sum they offered (less than £4) showed how little value they set both upon the shepherd and upon his work.

13 a goodly price. Ironical, “a goodly price indeed!” The value set on a slave’s life (Exod. xxi. 22)! “Cast it” publicly, in the Temple itself, “to the potter,” the despised and polluted workman of Tophet (Jer. xviii., xix.). This passage quoted in Matt. xxvii. 9, 10.

14. Then I cut asunder mine other staff. “Favour” with the nations having already been destroyed, “unity” among the people now also perishes.

15 foolish. That is, “wicked.” The prophet now personates another kind of shepherd. The “instrument,” or equipment, would be the rod and staff, with a knife, flute and scrip, or wallet for provisions.

16 which shall not visit those that be cut off, etc. Rather, “He will not attend to those that are perishing, the strayed he will not seek,” etc.; “that which standeth (is healthy) he will not feed,” etc. The Good Shepherd being rejected, the people would be given over to selfish deceivers.

nor feed that that standeth still. The sound portion of the flock.

and tear their claws. Rather, “And break their hoofs,” i.e., by merciless driving over rough roads (Speaker’s Commentary).

17 the idol shepherd. Rather, “the worthless shepherd,” R.V.

His arm shall be clean dried up, etc. God will justly deprive him of the power and understanding which he has abused.