Zechariah 10 3

Zechariah 10:3 kjv

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

Zechariah 10:3 nkjv

"My anger is kindled against the shepherds, And I will punish the goatherds. For the LORD of hosts will visit His flock, The house of Judah, And will make them as His royal horse in the battle.

Zechariah 10:3 niv

"My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle.

Zechariah 10:3 esv

"My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.

Zechariah 10:3 nlt

"My anger burns against your shepherds,
and I will punish these leaders.
For the LORD of Heaven's Armies has arrived
to look after Judah, his flock.
He will make them strong and glorious,
like a proud warhorse in battle.

Zechariah 10 verses

Zechariah 10 3 Meaning

Zechariah 10:3 declares the Lord's righteous anger and impending judgment upon negligent and oppressive leaders, symbolized as "shepherds" and "goat-herders," for their failure to care for His people. In stark contrast, it asserts the Lord of Hosts' personal visitation, care, and empowerment of His own flock—the house of Judah—transforming them from vulnerable sheep into a powerful and glorious warhorse, ready for divine purpose and victory.

Zechariah 10 3 Context

Zechariah 10:3 is embedded in a section of prophetic hope and judgment following the vision chapters of Zechariah. Chapter 9 describes the coming of the humble King Messiah, the defeat of Judah's enemies, and the restoration and empowerment of Judah and Ephraim. Chapter 10 immediately follows, contrasting reliance on false human and pagan sources (Zech 10:2 – diviners, idols, dreams offering false comfort) with dependence on the Lord. The verse thus sets up the immediate consequence of neglecting true spiritual guidance and the glorious outcome of divine intervention. It addresses the post-exilic community of Judah, who had returned to a land needing rebuilding, still faced with external threats and internal spiritual challenges, looking forward to true, righteous leadership and an enduring divine presence, contrasting God's justice against unfaithful leaders with His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Zechariah 10 3 Word analysis

• My anger is hot: The Hebrew חרה אפי (charah appi) literally means "My nose burned" or "My face glowed with heat." This idiom powerfully conveys intense, deeply personal, and righteous indignation. It signifies not fleeting emotion, but a resolved and active displeasure against injustice and unfaithfulness, signaling imminent punitive action.
• against the shepherds: הרעים (harōʿīm) in Hebrew. In the biblical context, "shepherds" metaphorically represent leaders—kings, priests, prophets, and civil authorities—responsible for governing and spiritually guiding God's "flock," the people. These are the ones who failed their sacred trust.
• and I will punish: The Hebrew verb is אפקד (ephkod), a form of פקד (paqad). While paqad can mean "to visit" or "to attend to" (positively), in this specific phrase in relation to the shepherds, it unequivocally denotes a "visitation" for accountability, inspection, and resulting punishment due to their dereliction of duty.
• the goat-herders: העתידים (ha'attudîm), meaning "the he-goats" or "ram-leaders." This term carries a specific negative connotation when referring to leaders. In ancient Near Eastern pastoral societies and biblical texts (e.g., Ezek 34), he-goats are often strong, independent, sometimes rebellious animals that push others aside. Here, they symbolize oppressive, aggressive, or arrogant leaders who exploited or scattered the flock rather than tenderly nurturing them. They represent the self-serving and dominant individuals.
• for the LORD of hosts: כי יהוה צבאות (ki YHWH Tsava’ot). The phrase "Lord of hosts" (or "Lord of armies") emphasizes God's supreme power, authority, and sovereignty over all creation, heavenly and earthly forces. This title underscores His capacity to execute judgment and salvation. It provides the divine justification for His actions; He is the ultimate authority holding all leaders accountable.
• has visited his flock: פקד עדרו (paqadēḏrô). Here, the verbפקד(paqad`) is used again, but its connotation shifts to a positive sense, indicating divine intervention for blessing, protection, and active care. This creates a striking contrast with its usage concerning the shepherds—judgment for them, benevolent oversight for His people.
• the house of Judah: בית יהודה (bêth Yehūdāh). This specifically identifies the recipients of God's protective and restorative action. After the exile, Judah represented the returned remnant of Israel, the covenant people with whom God renewed His promises.
• and will make them like his majestic war horse: וכשוס הודו (uḵə'sûs hōdô). This is powerful imagery of transformation. From a vulnerable "flock" in need of protection, God will empower Judah to become a mighty, honored, and victorious "warhorse"—a symbol of strength, splendor, triumph, and readiness for battle, carrying the divine "majesty" (הודו, hōdô, splendor, glory) in its charge. It signifies a transition from weakness to formidable power, invested by God Himself.

Words-Group Analysis:

• My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the goat-herders: This grouping starkly declares divine justice. It portrays a definitive act of separation between wicked, self-serving leadership and the precious flock. The doubling of terms ("shepherds" and "goat-herders") intensifies the condemnation of all forms of inadequate and harmful leadership.
• for the LORD of hosts has visited his flock, the house of Judah: This clause provides the reason and the righteous context for the divine judgment. God is not merely reacting but actively upholding His covenant. He visits Judah for blessing and care, contrasting sharply with His "visitation" of the unfaithful leaders for punishment. The "LORD of hosts" underlines His unchallengeable authority in this dual action.
• and will make them like his majestic war horse: This phrase paints a vivid picture of God's restorative and empowering intent for His people. It signifies not just safety but active strength, honor, and capability in future conflicts and redemptive purposes. The people, once vulnerable, become instruments of God's glorious power and represent His royal splendor.

Zechariah 10 3 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "he-goat" or "ram" (‘attudîm) for leaders finds strong echoes in ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology where kings were often seen as the lead rams of their flock/nation. However, Zechariah uses it to denote those who abuse this power, becoming aggressive and destructive, unlike the caring "shepherd" archetype found elsewhere. This highlights a subversive use of a common royal metaphor to indict unjust rulers. This verse directly challenges the human-centric models of leadership, often characterized by power, self-interest, or pagan dependencies (as implied by Zechariah 10:2), by reinstating God as the supreme authority and the ultimate, righteous leader who actively judges corrupt human authority and champions His vulnerable people.

Zechariah 10 3 Commentary

Zechariah 10:3 unveils God's two-fold posture: fierce wrath against corrupt leadership and profound, active care for His chosen people. The "shepherds" and "goat-herders" represent the human leaders—political, spiritual, and religious—who had failed their duty by neglecting, scattering, or exploiting the Lord's flock, Judah. Their unworthiness evokes a deep, righteous "anger" from the Lord, signaling a definite judgment (paqad in its punitive sense). This condemnation is crucial as it demonstrates that divine authority holds human leaders directly accountable for their stewardship.

Conversely, the verse immediately pivots to the Lord of Hosts' personal and benevolent intervention for "His flock, the house of Judah." Here, the verb paqad carries its positive connotation of active care, protection, and provision. The ultimate demonstration of this divine care is the transformative promise: Judah will no longer be like scattered, vulnerable sheep, but like "His majestic war horse." This vivid imagery conveys not merely survival or passive protection, but a complete empowerment, imbued with strength, glory, honor, and readiness for decisive action. They become agents of God's redemptive plan, reflecting His own splendor (hōdô) and might in the world, foreshadowing the future strength and leadership provided by God Himself through the Messiah. This serves as a stark warning to those in leadership and an assurance to God's people regarding His enduring faithfulness and intention to raise them up.