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

This verse describes the rejection of Israel by its shepherds (leaders) and the subsequent flocking of the sheep (people) to Zechariah. This rejection signifies a period of judgment and a turning away from true leadership. The flock is described as destined for slaughter, highlighting the grave consequences of this spiritual leadership void.

Zechariah 11 10 Context

This passage in Zechariah 11 occurs within a prophetic oracle concerning the judgment upon Judah and Israel, specifically focusing on the failure of their leadership and the consequences for the people. Chapter 11 depicts the prophet Zechariah acting out God's judgment. He is instructed to be a shepherd for the "flock destined for slaughter." The breaking of his two staffs, "Beauty" and "Union," symbolizes the severing of God's covenant with His people and the breaking of the brotherhood between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This indicates a time of great division, apostasy, and divine abandonment due to unfaithfulness and poor leadership. The immediate context sets the stage for the coming Messiah, who will ultimately gather a remnant, in contrast to the failed human shepherds.

Zechariah 11 10 Word Analysis

• "And I took..." (וַאֶשָּׂא - wā'eśśā): "and I took" or "and I lifted." This action signifies Zechariah's obedient compliance with God's command, portraying his role as a participant in executing divine judgment. It emphasizes a conscious taking up of a task.

• "my staff" (מַטֶּה - maṭṭeh): Staff. Represents authority, guidance, and care. The breaking of the staff signifies the destruction of that authority and relationship.

• "called Beauty" (יֹפִי - yōpî): "Beauty," "grace," or "pleasantness." This staff likely represents God's gracious covenant with Israel and His affectionate relationship with them. Its breaking signifies the loss of this divine favor due to sin and disobedience.

• "and cut it in two" (וָאֶגְזֹּר - wā'egzōr): "and I cut" or "and I sheared." A decisive action of severing.

• "that I might break" (לְמַעַן הָפֵר - lĕmaʿan hāp̄ēr): "in order to break" or "with the purpose of annulling." Clearly states the intention behind breaking the staff.

• "the covenant" (בְּרִית - bərîṯ): Covenant. Refers specifically to the covenant relationship God had established with Israel, a sacred agreement.

• "that I had made" (אֲשֶׁר כָּרַתִּי - ’ăšer kārǎṯî): "which I cut" or "which I established." Underscores God's initiative and the formal nature of the covenant.

• "with all the peoples" (אֶת־כָּל־הָעַמִּים - ’eṯ-kāl-hāʿammîm): While referring to the nations in general, in this context it likely emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the covenant promises and consequences, though primarily established with Israel.

• "And I took..." (וָאֶשָּׂא - wā'eśśā): Same verb as before, indicating a parallel action of obedience and judgment execution.

• "the second staff" (מַטֶּה־הַשֵּׁנִי - maṭṭeh-haššēnî): The second staff. Reinforces the sequential nature of the prophetic actions.

• "called Union" (חֶבֶל - ḥéḇel): "cord," "bond," "society," or "brotherhood." This staff represents the bond and unity between the two kingdoms, Judah (south) and Israel (north).

• "in two" (לְתֹר - lĕṯôr): "in two" or "into two." Again, emphasizing the complete division and separation.

• "in order to break" (לְמַעַן הָפֵר - lĕmaʿan hāp̄ēr): "in order to break." The purpose is to dissolve the fraternal relationship.

• "the brotherhood" (אֶת־הָאַחֲוָה - ’eṯ-hā’aḥăwâ): "the brotherhood," "fellowship," or "union." Specifically refers to the kinship and shared identity of the tribes of Israel.

• "between Judah and Israel" (בֵּין יְהוּדָה וּבֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל - ḇên yəhûḏâ ûḇên yiśərā’ēl): Clearly identifies the two entities whose unity is being broken, referring to the distinct kingdoms.

• "there appeared" (וְנִגְלוּ - wəniḡlû): "and were revealed," "and were uncovered." This suggests that what was hidden or a consequence of the breaking of the staffs is now made manifest.

• "from among the flock" (מִקֶּרֶב הַצֹּאן - miqqereḇ haṣṣō’n): "from within the flock." Implies individuals arising from the very people, not external forces.

• "others who were also destined for slaughter" (אֲחֵרִים גַּם־הֵמָּה לְשִׁכְלָה - ’ăḥērîm gam-hēmmâ ləšîḵlâ): "others, they too, for slaughter." This ominous phrase indicates that those who follow the fallen leaders are also subject to judgment. The term shiklah (שִׁכְלָה) can also relate to cutting off or ruin.

• "who took care of the sheep" (הָרֹעִים אֶת־הַצֹּאן - hāroʿîm ’eṯ-haṣṣō’n): "the shepherds of the sheep." This phrase ironically contrasts with the earlier portrayal of the prophet as the shepherd and refers to the new group of exploitative, uncaring leaders that will emerge. The plural "shepherds" shifts from Zechariah's singular role.

Zechariah 11 10 Bonus Section

The imagery of staffs broken serves as a stark visual prophecy of national dissolution and the failure of God-given authority. "Beauty" (or grace/favor) is withdrawn when covenants are violated. "Union" is shattered when brotherly love and loyalty decay, leading to civil strife or conquest. The identification of the new group as "destined for slaughter" indicates that while they are shepherds, they are under divine sentence of destruction due to their role in leading God's people to ruin, echoing warnings given to leaders in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel who are held accountable for the welfare of the flock. The chapter ultimately points beyond this immediate judgment to the coming of the True Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who embodies both the broken covenant (through His sacrifice) and the restored union and ultimate care for His flock.

Zechariah 11 10 Commentary

Zechariah 11:10 details a symbolic prophecy of God's judgment upon His people due to the failure of their leadership. The prophet, acting under divine instruction, breaks two staffs: "Beauty," representing God's covenant favor and beautiful relationship with Israel, and "Union," symbolizing the brotherhood and unity between Judah and Israel. The breaking of these staffs signifies the severing of these precious bonds. This is a direct consequence of the nation's spiritual apostasy and the unfaithfulness of its leaders.

The emergence of "others who were also destined for slaughter, who took care of the sheep" highlights a shift from competent shepherding to a continuation of exploitative leadership. These new figures, arising from within the community, are not true shepherds but rather predators who will lead the flock further into ruin. This verse powerfully foreshadows a period of severe judgment, division, and abandonment of God's people because their leaders have failed to uphold the covenant and shepherd them according to God's will. The consequence is not just broken covenants but a scattering and potential destruction of the flock under unqualified, self-serving caretakers.