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 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zechariah 11:17 | "Woe to the worthless shepherd that deserteth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be utterly dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly blinded." | Fulfillment of judgment on false leaders |
| Psalm 23:1 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." | Contrast with the true Shepherd |
| Ezekiel 34:2-10 | Condemnation of shepherds who exploit and neglect the flock | Judgment on faithless leaders in Israel |
| Jeremiah 23:1-4 | God promises to appoint true shepherds over Israel | God's response to poor leadership |
| Isaiah 56:10-11 | Criticizes watchmen and shepherds who are blind and greedy | Similar condemnation of unqualified leaders |
| Matthew 26:31 | "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad." | Direct prophecy application to Jesus' arrest |
| Mark 14:27 | "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended of me this night, as it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." | New Testament confirmation of the prophecy |
| Luke 22:31-32 | "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." | Prayer for Peter's restoration after falling |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." | Contrast between true and false shepherds |
| John 10:12 | "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth them." | Identifies the characteristics of a false shepherd |
| Acts 20:28-29 | "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." | Exhortation to shepherds to care for the flock |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." | Pastoral charge to overseers |
| Revelation 1:16 | "And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." | Jesus' divine authority and judgment power |
| Romans 11:22 | "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; on thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." | God's justice and mercy |
| Jeremiah 50:17 | "Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him, and last this king of Babylon hath broken his bones." | Historical scattering of Israel |
| Ezekiel 37:24 | "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them." | Promise of a future unified leadership |
| Matthew 9:36 | "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." | Jesus' compassion for the lost masses |
| 1 Corinthians 10:11 | "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." | Application of Old Testament history to believers |
Zechariah 11 verses
Zechariah 11 16 Meaning
This verse describes the fate of a foolish shepherd, symbolizing Israel's rejection of God. It foretells the abandonment and eventual destruction of a weak, unqualified leader. The imagery suggests divine judgment for neglecting the flock, with the sword being an instrument of God's wrath.
Zechariah 11 16 Context
Zechariah 11 presents a stark prophecy about the unfaithfulness of Israel's shepherds (leaders) and the consequences. The preceding verses describe the prophet Zechariah acting as a shepherd, tending to a flock designated for slaughter due to their sinfulness. He makes a covenant with the flock, which is broken, and then breaks his staff called "Beauty" (representing covenant love or favor). He also breaks his second staff, "Bands" (representing unity or the bond between Israel and Judah). In verse 16, the focus shifts to a specific "worthless shepherd" who emerges as judgment falls. This shepherd embodies the poor leadership that will lead to destruction. Historically, this is often interpreted as a precursor to the severe judgments that befell Israel, including the Babylonian exile, and prophetically pointing towards the rejection of Jesus by some Jewish leaders. The "sword" and "blindness" symbolize severe judgment and incapacitation.
Zechariah 11 16 Word Analysis
"For, behold,": Introduces a significant event or truth. Emphasizes the impending reality.
"I will raise up": God's active involvement in bringing about this event or person. It is not accidental.
"a shepherd": Refers to a leader, typically of a flock. Here, it signifies a political or spiritual leader over Israel.
"in the land": Specifies the location of this event – the land of Israel.
"that will not seek": Highlights the deficiency and dereliction of duty. The shepherd's primary responsibility is caring for the flock.
"the cut off": Refers to those who have been lost, abandoned, or perishing. In a shepherd context, this means sheep that are strayed or vulnerable.
"nor seek the scattered": Reinforces the shepherd's failure. He doesn't search for the lost or try to bring them back.
"nor heal that that is broken": Indicates a complete failure to mend or care for the injured or suffering members of the flock.
"nor feed that that standeth": Points to the neglect of nourishing the flock, allowing them to become weak or to "stand" (possibly meaning those who are able to stand but are not being properly sustained).
"but the flesh of the fat ones he shall eat": A graphic image of exploitation and predation. The shepherd devours the strong and healthy sheep for his own gain, instead of protecting them.
"and their claws he shall tear in pieces": Further emphasizes the brutal and destructive nature of this shepherd, ripping apart the sheep. The "claws" here likely refer to the feet or hooves, suggesting the destruction of their means of movement or their very structure.
Group Analysis:
- "I will raise up a shepherd in the land": God's sovereignty over appointing leadership, even a destructive one, as an instrument of judgment.
- "that will not seek the cut off, nor seek the scattered, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth": This entire phrase details the comprehensive failure of a negligent shepherd, covering seeking the lost, caring for the injured, and providing sustenance for the strong. It paints a picture of utter dereliction.
- "but the flesh of the fat ones he shall eat, and their claws he shall tear in pieces": This phrase starkly contrasts the shepherd's parasitic and predatory behavior with his intended duty. It underscores a malicious intent to consume and destroy, rather than to nurture and protect.
Zechariah 11 16 Bonus Section
The imagery of the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattering directly anticipates Jesus' words in Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27. When Jesus is arrested, he quotes Zechariah 13:7 ("I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered") but shifts to Zechariah 11:17 for the prophecy concerning the shepherds of Israel. This connection highlights Jesus' identification with the suffering people of Israel and the scattering that occurred due to the rejection of God's appointed leader. The "claws" that are torn in pieces could also be interpreted as hindering their ability to move forward or stand, representing the crippling of the people by their leaders. The failure to "seek" and "heal" reflects a profound lack of divine love and compassion, qualities exemplified by Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Zechariah 11 16 Commentary
This verse vividly depicts the devastating consequences of spiritual and political corruption within leadership. The shepherd described is not merely incompetent but actively predatory, feasting on the very flock he is meant to protect. This ungodly shepherd preys on the strong ("fat ones") and utterly destroys the vulnerable ("claws he shall tear"). This prophecy serves as a stark warning against those who occupy positions of authority without genuine care for the people they lead. It points to a divine judgment upon such leaders, highlighting their eventual downfall. The application in the New Testament to the events surrounding Jesus' passion emphasizes how rejection of the true Shepherd leads to scattering and destruction.