Zechariah 11 10

Zechariah 11:10 kjv

And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.

Zechariah 11:10 nkjv

And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples.

Zechariah 11:10 niv

Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.

Zechariah 11:10 esv

And I took my staff Favor, and I broke it, annulling the covenant that I had made with all the peoples.

Zechariah 11:10 nlt

Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, showing that I had revoked the covenant I had made with all the nations.

Zechariah 11 verses

Zechariah 11 10 Meaning

Zechariah 11:10 describes a symbolic act of the divine Shepherd, who represents the Lord. He takes one of His two staffs, named "Favor" (or "Beauty"), and cuts it in two. This action signifies a divine annulment or breaking of a particular covenant. This covenant, stated to have been made "with all the peoples," generally refers to the peace and protection God provided for His people, Israel, from the surrounding Gentile nations, or perhaps a general state of peace God upheld in the region. The breaking of this staff dramatically illustrates God's withdrawal of His grace, pleasant relations, and protective care over His flock, leading to judgment and increased vulnerability for Israel in the face of their enemies. It heralds a period of severe distress and divine rejection in response to the flock's rejection of their Shepherd.

Zechariah 11 10 Context

Zechariah 11 forms part of a series of prophetic visions given to Zechariah, likely concerning the post-exilic community. Chapter 11, specifically, presents a complex symbolic prophecy, often referred to as the "Shepherd Discourse." The Lord instructs Zechariah to act as a shepherd for a "flock doomed to slaughter," representing Israel under its corrupt leadership and eventual rejection of the true divine Shepherd. This divine Shepherd comes to care for the oppressed flock but is ultimately despised and rejected by them, receiving "thirty pieces of silver" as payment, symbolizing utter contempt. The breaking of the staff "Favor" in verse 10, followed by the breaking of "Bonds" in verse 14, signifies the removal of God's gracious protection and the subsequent internal fracturing of the nation, foreshadowing the calamities and divisions that would befall Israel as a consequence of their spiritual unfaithfulness and rejection of their true leader. Historically, this prophecy looks beyond Zechariah's immediate time, finding profound fulfillment in the rejection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate good Shepherd, by the leaders of Israel.

Zechariah 11 10 Word analysis

• And I took (וָאֶקַּח / wā’eqqaḥ): This indicates a direct, intentional, and sovereign action performed by the Lord, who is acting as the divine Shepherd in this prophetic drama. The verb in Hebrew is a consecutive perfect, emphasizing the sequence of events.
• My staff (מַקְלִי / maq̣lî): 'Maqlî' refers to a shepherd's staff, a common instrument of authority, guidance, protection, and correction for sheep. In this divine context, it symbolizes the Lord's authoritative care and relationship with His people, Israel, His flock.
• Favor (אֹשֶׁר / ‘ōsher): This Hebrew word denotes "happiness," "blessedness," or "pleasantness." In some ancient versions and commentaries, it is understood as "Beauty" or "Grace" (connected to 'nō'am'). This staff symbolizes the Lord's gracious and favorable dealings with Israel, His good relationship with them, and the peaceful state this grace affords. Its name encapsulates God's benevolent covenant with His people and the protective goodwill extended to them.
• and cut it in two (וָאֶגְדַּעֵהוּ / wā’egdac‘ēhû): The verb 'gadac' means "to cut off," "hew down," or "break in pieces." It's a violent and definitive act, signifying a decisive termination or annulment. It is not merely a crack but a complete severance, indicating the irrevocable removal of the represented blessing.
• that I might break (לְהָפֵר / ləhāfēr): This phrase specifies the purpose of cutting the staff. 'Hapar' means "to break," "annul," "violate," or "frustrate" a covenant, agreement, or promise. It signifies a divine revocation or suspension of an established pact.
• My covenant (אֶת־בְּרִיתִי / ’et-bərîtî): 'Berît' is the Hebrew word for "covenant," a binding agreement, often sworn and solemn. This refers to a divine covenant made by God, not an earthly one.
• which I had made (אֲשֶׁר כָּרַתִּי / ’ašer kārattî): The verb 'karat' often refers to "cutting" a covenant, reflecting the ancient practice of cutting animals in two as part of the covenant-making ritual (cf. Gen 15). Here, it reinforces the divine origin and solemnity of the covenant.
• with all the peoples (אֶת־כָּל־הָעַמִּים / ’et-kol-hā‘ammîm): This is a key phrase. It doesn't refer to the Abrahamic or Mosaic covenants, which were primarily with Israel. Instead, it likely refers to a protective covenant, whereby God's grace shielded Israel from the depredations of the surrounding gentile nations, thus maintaining a degree of peace and order for Israel amidst "all the peoples." The breaking signifies the removal of this divine buffer, leaving Israel vulnerable.

Words-group analysis

• My staff, Favor: This grouping emphasizes that "Favor" is not an abstract concept but a concrete symbol of God's benevolent rule. It represents God's specific grace, pleasant care, and a protective presence toward Israel. The removal of this "favor" is now concretely enacted through the staff's destruction.
• break My covenant which I had made with all the peoples: This phrase specifies the profound impact and target of the divine Shepherd's action. The "covenant" refers to God's arrangement of peace and protection around Israel concerning its gentile neighbors. Breaking it signifies God's withdrawal of the supernatural barriers and conditions that limited gentile aggression against His chosen people, leaving them exposed to hostile forces.

Zechariah 11 10 Bonus section

The staffs in Zechariah 11 are not just static symbols but tools through which the divine Shepherd operates. The breaking of "Favor" (and later "Bonds" in Zec 11:14) are performative acts, conveying immediate and dramatic consequences. The term 'ōsher, translated "Favor," hints at the result of God's covenantal care—blessedness and prosperity—which is now revoked. This specific act points towards God allowing a natural consequence of the nation's spiritual state: without His divine protection and gracious oversight, external pressures from "all the peoples" will overwhelm them. The entire "Shepherd Discourse" in Zechariah 11 serves as a profound allegory for Israel's historical relationship with God and its ultimate climax in the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, setting the stage for future judgment and redemption.

Zechariah 11 10 Commentary

Zechariah 11:10 is a pivotal prophetic statement of divine judgment. The symbolic act of breaking the staff named "Favor" by the Lord, the true Shepherd, reveals the cessation of His gracious and protective care over His unfaithful flock. This act underscores God's deep disappointment with Israel's leaders and their rejection of His benevolent oversight. The covenant broken is not a universal pact with all humanity like the Noachic covenant, nor the foundational Mosaic or Abrahamic covenants, but specifically the protective framework God maintained, shielding Israel from the constant threats of "all the peoples" (Gentile nations). The breaking of this covenant signifies that the divine barrier of peace and protection for Israel is removed, plunging them into a period of vulnerability and allowing them to be ravaged by the surrounding nations. This prophetic action foreshadows the consequences of Israel's ultimate rejection of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, leading to severe suffering, including the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent dispersion. It serves as a stark warning about the high cost of rejecting divine favor and faithful leadership.