Zechariah 11:15 kjv
And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
Zechariah 11:15 nkjv
And the LORD said to me, "Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.
Zechariah 11:15 niv
Then the LORD said to me, "Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.
Zechariah 11:15 esv
Then the LORD said to me, "Take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.
Zechariah 11:15 nlt
Then the LORD said to me, "Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd.
Zechariah 11 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zec 11:16 | For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit... | Fulfilled in Matthew 21:42-44 (Rejected Cornerstone) |
| Isaiah 1:2-3 | Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken... | Parallel judgment on unfaithful shepherds |
| Jeremiah 23:1-2 | Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture... | Prophecy against negligent shepherds |
| Ezekiel 34:2-10 | Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel... | Similar condemnation of false shepherds |
| Micah 3:5 | Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err... | Criticism of misleading religious leaders |
| John 10:11-13 | I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. | Contrast with the Good Shepherd (Christ) |
| Acts 20:28-30 | Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock... | Warning to overseers in the church |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight... | Instruction for shepherding the flock |
| Psalm 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | God as the ultimate shepherd |
| Hebrews 13:17 | Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves... | Encouragement to respect spiritual leaders |
| Lamentations 1:18 | The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment... | Acknowledgment of righteous judgment |
| Deuteronomy 31:6 | Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them... | God's presence with those He chooses |
| Psalm 78:71-72 | To keep him from following the ewes great with young: he fed them with a cunning... | David as a shepherd illustration |
| Amos 6:4-6 | That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves out... | Woes for those who indulge while others suffer |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine, ye are the branches... | Dependence on Christ for fruitfulness |
| Romans 11:22 | Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell... | God's judgment and mercy |
| 2 Samuel 5:2 | And in times past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest... | David's past leadership example |
| Nahum 3:10 | Yet was she carried away captive, she went into captivity... | Judgment on Nineveh for cruelty |
| Jeremiah 50:6 | My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray... | Repetition of themes of lost sheep |
| Titus 1:7-9 | For a bishop must be blameless... | Qualifications for church leaders |
Zechariah 11 verses
Zechariah 11 15 Meaning
This verse depicts God's abandonment of Israel's foolish shepherds due to their neglect and self-serving actions. It signifies divine judgment on those who failed in their pastoral responsibility. The imagery points to a rejection of spiritual leaders who prioritize their own interests over the well-being of the flock entrusted to them.
Zechariah 11 15 Context
Zechariah's prophecy is set against the backdrop of post-exilic Israel, specifically concerning the spiritual leadership of the returned exiles. Chapter 11 presents a challenging section where Zechariah himself acts out a prophecy. He is depicted as a shepherd of God's people, but he finds the flock rebellious and burdensome. God instructs him to sever his relationships with two staffs, named "Beauty" and "Bands," symbolizing his broken covenant with God's people and the broken unity among the tribes. Verse 15 describes God initiating the action to raise up a "foolish shepherd," one who is undeserving and will neglect the flock, indicating a period of further apostasy and divine abandonment due to the people's and their leaders' unfaithfulness.
Zechariah 11 15 Word Analysis
וְהִנֵּה (və·hinnêh): "And behold" - Introduces a new vision or event, drawing attention to what follows.
אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlōhîm): "God" - The subject performing the action, emphasizing divine agency in this judgment.
קֹצֵר (qō·ṣêr): "reaper" or "one who cuts off" - Implies decisive action and severance, fitting the theme of divine rejection.
שֶׁמֶן (še·men): "oil" - In the context of shepherding, refers to precious fat or good pasture. Its cutting off signifies extreme scarcity and poverty for the flock.
יַרְתֵּב (yar·têḇ): "fodder" or "fodder" - Refers to sustenance or provision for the flock.
שְׂעִיר הָעֲזִּים (śə·ʿîr hā·‘ăz·zîm): "the he-goat of the flock" or "leader of the flock" - Refers to the finest of the flock, highlighting that even the best and most valued will be subject to the impending desolation.
words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And behold, God is raising up for me a reaper": This phrase signifies divine authorization and initiation of a judgment that will "cut off" the unfaithful.
- "a foolish shepherd": Describes the one God will raise, characterizing him by his ineptitude and lack of divine discernment.
- "who does not seek out the lost": Highlights the shepherd's negligence in caring for those who stray or are in need.
- "does not seek the young": Emphasizes the shepherd's failure to nurture and protect the vulnerable and weak among the flock.
- "does not heal the broken": Points to a lack of compassion and restorative care for the injured or diseased sheep.
- "does not nourish the healthy": Signifies a failure to sustain and provide for those who are strong, leading to their decline.
- "but devours the flesh of the fat": This stark imagery reveals the shepherd's exploitative nature, consuming the best of the flock for personal gain.
Zechariah 11 15 Bonus Section
The imagery of the shepherd is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture, where a ruler was often metaphorically depicted as a shepherd of his people. God Himself is frequently portrayed as Israel's shepherd (Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:11). When human shepherds failed, it was seen as a sign of divine displeasure and a precursor to judgment. The specific failings listed here are consistent with common abuses of shepherd duties, emphasizing not just absence but active harm caused by neglect and predation. This particular prophecy is often seen as foreshadowing aspects of the Messiah's ministry—He who would gather the scattered, heal the sick, and give His life for the sheep, contrasting sharply with the "foolish shepherd" described.
Zechariah 11 15 Commentary
This verse directly portends the rise of a leader who will embody severe negligence and selfish exploitation of God's people. The term "foolish shepherd" contrasts sharply with the divine ideal of a shepherd who cares, guides, and protects. The systematic enumeration of his failures – not seeking the lost, not seeking the young, not healing the broken, not nourishing the healthy – paints a comprehensive picture of pastoral dereliction. The ultimate act of "devouring the flesh of the fat" underscores his parasitic existence, feeding on the strength and prosperity of the flock. This prophecy finds significant resonance in Jesus' contrast between the good shepherd who lays down his life and the hireling who flees when danger comes. The New Testament also warns elders against the same characteristics of greed and neglecting the flock.