Zechariah 11 16

Zechariah 11:16 kjv

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

Zechariah 11:16 nkjv

For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces.

Zechariah 11:16 niv

For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.

Zechariah 11:16 esv

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

Zechariah 11:16 nlt

This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.

Zechariah 11 verses

Zechariah 11 16 Meaning

Zechariah 11:16 depicts the grim character and actions of a corrupt, "worthless" shepherd, whom the Lord declares He will "raise up" over the land. This figure stands in profound opposition to a true, benevolent shepherd. Rather than offering protection, guidance, or nourishment, this leader will actively neglect the vulnerable, the lost, and the injured members of the flock. His true nature is revealed in his predatory actions: exploiting the strong and healthy sheep for his personal gain, ultimately culminating in their violent dismemberment. This prophecy signifies divine judgment in the form of devastating leadership inflicted upon a people who have rejected God's righteous care.

Zechariah 11 16 Context

Zechariah 11:16 is found within the prophetic section known as Zechariah 9-14, which foretells both Messianic hope and Israel's final judgments. Specifically, this verse is a crucial part of the "Parable of the Shepherds" in chapter 11, a symbolic drama detailing the covenant relationship between the Lord and His flock (Israel). After the Lord acts as a "good shepherd" through Zechariah (Zec 11:4-6, 7-14), providing protective care through the staffs of "Favor" and "Union," Israel rejects this divine leadership and sells the shepherd for "thirty pieces of silver." As a direct consequence of this betrayal and contempt, the Lord declares He will then take on the "implements of a foolish shepherd" (Zec 11:15). Verse 16 then elaborates on the perverse and destructive characteristics of this replacement, a "worthless" leader. This prophetic statement serves both as an indictment of the historically corrupt spiritual and political leadership within Israel, and as a stark foreshadowing of an ultimate anti-Messianic figure, signifying the tragic fate of a people under leadership not ordained by God's grace, but sent in His righteous judgment.

Zechariah 11 16 Word analysis

• For, lo, I will raise up (וְהִנֵּה אָקִים, vəhinneh aqiym):
  • וְהִנֵּה (vəhinneh): An emphatic interjection, "And behold!" or "For, lo!" It draws immediate attention to a pivotal and often distressing divine declaration.
  • אָקִים (aqiym): "I will raise up." This powerful declaration signifies God's direct, sovereign act. This "worthless shepherd" arises not by chance, but by divine allowance or appointment as an instrument of judgment against a disobedient people who scorned divine care.
• a shepherd (רֹעֶה, ro'eh):
  • Biblically, "shepherd" symbolizes leadership—whether royal, political, or spiritual. Here, the title, usually positive, is sarcastically or judgmentally applied to one utterly unfit, highlighting a profound dereliction of the very duties associated with it.
• in the land (בָּאָרֶץ, ba'aretz):
  • Pinpoints the location to the land of Israel, emphasizing that this catastrophic leadership would directly affect God's covenant people.
• which shall not visit those that be cut off (לֹא־יִפְקֹד אֶת־הַנִּשְׁקָדוֹת, lo'-yifqod 'et-hannishqadot):
  • לֹא־יִפְקֹד (lo'-yifqod): "He will not visit/care for/attend to." This is a complete abnegation of responsibility. 'Visit' here implies actively seeking, overseeing, and providing for.
  • הַנִּשְׁקָדוֹת (hannishqadot): Refers to "the missing," "the endangered," or "those going astray." The primary duty of a good shepherd is to account for and protect the vulnerable; this shepherd deliberately neglects them.
• neither shall seek the young one (נַעַר לֹא־יְבַקֵּשׁ, na'ar lo'-yevaqqesh):
  • נַעַר (na'ar): "Young one" or "lamb." Lambs are fragile and require constant care. Their neglect is a severe failure of compassion and fundamental pastoral duty.
  • לֹא־יְבַקֵּשׁ (lo'-yevaqqesh): "He will not seek." Implies an active refusal to search for and bring back those who wander off or are too weak to keep up.
• nor heal that that is broken (וְנִשְׁבֶּרֶת לֹא־יְרַפֵּא, vənishberet lo'-yerape'):
  • נִשְׁבֶּרֶת (nishberet): "The broken/injured one." Refers to sheep that are hurt, sick, or lame.
  • לֹא־יְרַפֵּא (lo'-yerape'): "He will not heal." This denotes a profound lack of empathy, refusing even basic care to those in physical distress.
• nor feed that that standeth still (וְנִצָּבָה לֹא־יְכַלְכֵּל, vənitzavah lo'-yekhalkel):
  • נִצָּבָה (nitzavah): "The one standing still" or "the stable/healthy one." This could mean those left stationary without guidance to pasture, or even the healthy part of the flock who still need sustenance but are overlooked. It represents broad, general neglect.
  • לֹא־יְכַלְכֵּל (lo'-yekhalkel): "He will not sustain/provide for/feed." Extends the neglect to the fundamental need of all sheep: food. He denies sustenance, a critical shepherdly role.
• but he shall eat the flesh of the fat (וּבְשַׂר הַבְּרִיאָה יֹאכֵל, uvasar habberiah yokel):
  • וּבְשַׂר הַבְּרִיאָה (uvasar habberiah): "And the flesh of the fat/healthy ones." This transitions from neglect to active exploitation. The shepherd preys upon the strongest and healthiest, prioritizing his own consumption over the flock's welfare.
  • יֹאכֵל (yokel): "He will eat." Conveys the raw, predatory act of devouring, demonstrating complete self-interest.
• and tear their claws in pieces (וּפַרְסֵיהֶן יְפָרֵק, ufarsayhen yefareq):
  • וּפַרְסֵיהֶן (ufarsayhen): "And their hooves/claws."
  • יְפָרֵק (yefareq): "He will tear apart/split off/break into pieces." This is a profoundly brutal image. It means he not only consumes but physically incapacitates and destroys the sheep, rendering them utterly helpless and unable to stand, move, or survive. This signifies the leader's ultimate objective: to completely crush and disable his people.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will raise up a shepherd... which shall not visit... neither shall seek... nor heal... nor feed...": This cumulative negation meticulously details the utter failure of responsibility expected of a shepherd. It paints a picture of systemic, widespread abandonment across all categories of a flock, demonstrating total pastoral dereliction sanctioned by divine judgment.
• "but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.": This clause powerfully pivots from passive neglect to active, brutal exploitation. It reveals the true, rapacious character of this leader, who consumes the resources of the strong and then inflicts crippling damage, illustrating a destructive form of leadership that devours and incapacitates its own subjects rather than protects them.

Zechariah 11 16 Bonus section

The severity of the "worthless shepherd's" actions in Zechariah 11:16 foreshadows the anti-Christ spirit that rejects and replaces divine authority with human tyranny. The "tearing their hooves in pieces" highlights that the goal isn't just to extract wealth or power, but to utterly debilitate and disempower the flock. A sheep without hooves cannot move, defend itself, or find sustenance, symbolizing a complete subjugation of the people. This imagery of self-serving violence starkly contrasts with the actions of the Good Shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep and seeks out the lost. The prophecy reminds believers of the critical discernment needed when evaluating leaders, as the outward appearance can often mask predatory intentions, leading to severe consequences for the flock.

Zechariah 11 16 Commentary

Zechariah 11:16 describes the horrifying actions of the "worthless shepherd" (later named foolish shepherd in Zec 11:17) as God's chosen judgment. This figure is not merely ineffective but actively malicious and destructive. His disregard for the vulnerable, the young, the injured, and even the stable members of the flock exposes a complete absence of the compassion and diligence inherent to true leadership. Rather than tending, he devours; instead of protecting, he mutilates. The graphic image of "tearing their claws in pieces" suggests not just killing, but systematically incapacitating the sheep, leaving them utterly helpless and without recourse. This shepherd, divinely "raised up," signifies a profound judgment where the people receive leaders who mirror their own unfaithfulness and rejection of God's perfect shepherd, Jesus Christ. This prophecy served as a powerful indictment of the corrupt religious and political leaders in Israel's past and offers an enduring warning against any leadership—then, now, or in the future—that operates from self-interest, exploitation, and oppression rather than true, sacrificial care.