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 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zechariah 10:3 | Zechariah 10:3 | God's anger against the shepherds; his favor to Judah. |
| Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Judgment and restoration for unfaithful shepherds of Israel. |
| Ezekiel 34:2-6 | Ezekiel 34:2-6 | Condemnation of shepherds who feed themselves instead of the flock. |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | Ezekiel 34:11-16 | God will Himself seek and shepherd His scattered sheep. |
| Micah 5:5 | Micah 5:5 | A coming deliverer will save from Assyria; he will be our peace. |
| Matthew 9:36 | Matthew 9:36 | Jesus, seeing the crowds, had compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. |
| John 10:11-14 | John 10:11-14 | Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd. |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Exhortation to elders to shepherd the flock of God willingly. |
| Zechariah 9:13 | Zechariah 9:13 | Judah will be equipped with Ephraim’s bow and roused like Greeks. |
| Isaiah 41:15-16 | Isaiah 41:15-16 | God will make Israel a threshing instrument, strong and victorious. |
| Habakkuk 3:12-15 | Habakkuk 3:12-15 | God marches out to save His people, and they trample the wicked. |
| Psalm 20:7 | Psalm 20:7 | Some boast in chariots, some in horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord. |
| Jeremiah 50:34 | Jeremiah 50:34 | Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name. |
| Jeremiah 51:34-36 | Jeremiah 51:34-36 | Nebuchadnezzar has devoured Israel and thrown them away; the Lord will fight for Israel. |
| Psalm 144:14 | Psalm 144:14 | There is no lamentation in our streets; our sheep will bring forth thousands. |
| Nahum 2:3 | Nahum 2:3 | The chariots will appear with flashing torches and steeds. |
| Deuteronomy 32:43 | Deuteronomy 32:43 | Sing for joy, O heavens, with him, and let all God’s angels worship him. |
| Leviticus 26:10 | Leviticus 26:10 | God will bring new grain and remove the old to make room for it. |
| Isaiah 55:3 | Isaiah 55:3 | Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live. |
| Jeremiah 31:7 | Jeremiah 31:7 | For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and cry aloud for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.’” |
Zechariah 10 verses
Zechariah 10 3 Meaning
The verse speaks of God's judgment upon the shepherds (leaders) of Israel who have been negligent and destructive. Because they have not cared for the flock, God will punish them. Conversely, He promises to restore and strengthen His flock, making them as glorious as His battle-horses.
Zechariah 10 3 Context
Zechariah 10 speaks of God's promise to restore Israel after their scattering and oppression. Following a prophecy against false prophets and the negligent leaders (shepherds) in chapter 9, chapter 10 addresses the post-exilic community of Judah, looking forward to a time of future spiritual revival and national restoration. The immediate context is God's intention to pour out His Spirit upon His people, leading to their revival and victory. Verse 3, in particular, highlights the reason for the impending judgment on leaders and the subsequent blessing for the people.
Zechariah 10 3 Word analysis
- וְהָיָה (wə·hū·lɔ·w): And it shall be. A conjunction linking this verse to the preceding context.
- צֹפִים (ṣō·p̄îm): shepherds. From the root צָפָה (tsaphah), meaning to watch, observe, look out. Refers to leaders, overseers.
- לֹא־פָקַד (lōʾ·p̄ɔ·qɔ·d): not visited/cared for. From the root פָּקַד (paqad), meaning to visit, care for, attend to, appoint. Indicates neglect of duty.
- וּפָקַד (ū·p̄ɔ·qɔ·d): and will visit. The same root, now indicating divine intervention and accountability for the shepherds' actions.
- כָּרִים (kɔ·rîm): he-goats. From כָּר (kar), male goat, ram. Used metaphorically for leaders or rulers.
- יְבַקֵּר (yə·ḇaq·qê·r): will punish/visit/hold responsible. A denominative verb from בְּקָר (beqar), cattle, implies tending or checking, here used for divine reckoning.
- עֲטֶרֶת־חֹק (ʿă·ṭɛ·rɛ·ṯ·ḥōq): the flock belonging to him (literally: ornament of ordinance/lot). Suggests the flock as something designated and entrusted.
- וּכְעֶצֶם (ū·ḵə·ʿɛ·ṣɛm): and as the strength/bone. Emphasizes a fundamental element.
- וְלֹא־יִשָּׁאֵר (wə·lōʾ·yī·šā·ʾê·r): and will not leave. Signifies complete removal or destitution.
- וּנְעָרֶיהָ (ū·nə·ʿɔ·rɛ·hâ): and its young men. Refers to the youth or young livestock of the flock.
- כְּסוּס (kə·sûs): as a horse. Symbol of strength and speed.
- רִבְצָהּ (riḇ·tsâ·hâ): in battle. Or, its encampment/dwelling place, but in the context of a horse, it refers to battle readiness.
- כְּסוּס פָּרָשׁ (kə·sûs p̄ɔ·rɔ·š): as a horse of war.
- בַּמִּלְחָמָה (ba·mil·ḥɔ·mɔ·h): in war.
- וְהָיָה (wə·hū·lɔ·w): and it shall be. Repeats the initial conjunction.
- כַּצֹּפֶה (ka·ṣ·ṣō·p̄ē·h): like the watchman.
- וּבָהּ (ū·ḇɔ·h): and in it.
- עַל־הַלָּמַעְלָה (ʿal-ha·lā·mɛ·‘·lɔ·h): over the mighty men.
- לִיהוּדָה (li·hû·dâ): to Judah. The loyal portion of God's people.
- בַּמִּלְחָמָה (ba·mil·ḥɔ·mɔ·h): in the battle.
- וְקַשְׁתּוֹ (wə·qɔ·šə·ṯ·ô): and its bow. A symbol of offensive power.
- עֲלֵיהֶם (ʿə·lê·hɛ·m): against them. Refers to the enemies of Judah.
- וְכַכְּסִיל (wə·ḵɔ·kə·sîl): and as the rider on it.
- רִכְבּוֹ (riḵ·ḇô): his horse.
- אֵיתָן (ʾê·ṯɔ·n): strong/steadfast.
- אֶת־כָּל־אֹיְבִים (ʾɛ·ṯ·kɔ·l·ʾō·yə·ḇîm): all enemies.
- הַיהודִים (ha·yhû·dîm): of Judah.
- מִלְחֶמֶת־עִיר (mil·ḥɛ·meṯ-ʿîr): the war of the city.
Zechariah 10 3 Bonus section
The analogy of leaders as "shepherds" and the people as the "flock" is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This verse directly links the failure of earthly leadership to divine punishment, emphasizing accountability. The transformation of the flock into powerful horses reflects God’s ability to elevate and equip His people for His purposes, making the weak strong in His power. This passage anticipates the messianic shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is the Good Shepherd, and whose followers are empowered by His Spirit to overcome the spiritual enemies. The imagery of God’s people being like powerful horses in battle underscores the idea that their strength is not their own, but derived directly from God’s presence and power assisting them.
Zechariah 10 3 Commentary
This verse sharply contrasts divine judgment on corrupt leadership with divine empowerment of the faithful. The "shepherds" or leaders, who failed to protect and guide the flock (Israel), will be held accountable. Their neglect is portrayed as a severe failure of responsibility, akin to neglecting or mishandling precious possessions ("the flock belonging to him"). The consequence is punishment, depicted by the visiting of the he-goats and their commanders, signifying the reckoning of those in authority.
However, the focus shifts to a future restoration where God actively supports Judah. Judah, representing the remnant and faithful followers, will be strengthened like the Lord's powerful war-horses. This imagery speaks of God’s active participation in their battles, providing them with spiritual and military might. They will be endowed with their own "bow" and filled with strength, effectively driving back their enemies. The strength of the horses signifies God’s irresistible force that He imparts to His people when they rely on Him, enabling them to triumph in the spiritual warfare against all opposition. The verse highlights a dynamic shift: from the punishment of those who failed to lead to the victorious empowerment of those who remain faithful.