Zechariah 11 17

Zechariah 11:17 kjv

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Zechariah 11:17 nkjv

"Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded."

Zechariah 11:17 niv

"Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

Zechariah 11:17 esv

"Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!"

Zechariah 11:17 nlt

"What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd
who abandons the flock!
The sword will cut his arm
and pierce his right eye.
His arm will become useless,
and his right eye completely blind."

Zechariah 11 verses

Zechariah 11 17 Meaning

The verse describes a worthless shepherd who abandons his flock, a foolish shepherd who does not care for the sheep. God declares he will raise up a new shepherd, one who will nourish and protect the flock, contrasting sharply with the decadent and cruel shepherds of Israel’s past. This new shepherd, though, will eventually face the "sword" of God's judgment for reasons related to the covenant, indicating a difficult path for even the righteous leader.

Zechariah 11 17 Context

Zechariah chapter 11 depicts God's judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness and mismanagement of His people. The prophet Zechariah acts as a symbolic shepherd, representing leadership. He first exercises two staffs: "Beauty" (favor) and "Bonds" (unity), signifying the broken covenant relationship and its consequences. His discarding of the flock in verse 10 anticipates future scattering. Verse 17 specifically condemns the worthless shepherd, who represents the oppressive, greedy, and incompetent human leadership that failed to care for the flock, instead exploiting them. This sets the stage for God to raise up a true shepherd, implying a future restoration under divine oversight, which the New Testament interprets as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The mention of the sword against the shepherd in the preceding and succeeding verses (17 and 13:7) strongly points to a future Messiah who would be struck, yet ultimately triumphant.

Zechariah 11 17 Word analysis

• “Woe” (א֣וֹי, ’ōwy): An interjection expressing grief, sorrow, or a strong denunciation. It signals divine displeasure and impending judgment against the subject. This cry is common throughout the Old Testament prophets when denouncing sin and corruption.

• “to the worthless shepherd” (לֹאִ֣ילִים, lō’îlîm): This refers to a shepherd who is void of sense, foolish, or ruinous. It points to someone who is irresponsible, incapable, and ultimately destructive in their role of leadership and care. The word emphasizes incompetence and a lack of true qualification for the task.

• “that leaves the flock!” (הָעֹזֵ֣ב הַצֹּ֔אן, hā‘ōzêḇ haṣṣō’n): "Ha'ozeb" signifies abandoning or forsaking. It highlights the dereliction of duty and the failure to protect, nourish, or guide the sheep. The flock is left exposed to danger and want. The "Ts'on" means flock, specifically the flock entrusted to his care.

• “My hand shall be against” (תְּהִי־נָ֥א עַל־יַ֛ד, təhî-nnā‘al-yaḏ): A declaration of divine intervention and opposition. God Himself will act against the shepherd, indicating judgment. "Yad" (hand) here represents power, authority, and action.

• “the shepherd” (הָרֹעֶ֖ה, hāro‘eh): Again, referring to the leader responsible for the sheep. This refers to the bad leadership of Israel in Zechariah's day, who were meant to care for God's people.

• “and against the right arm!” (וְעַ֥ל זְרֹ֖עַ הַיָּמִֽין, wə‘al-zərōa‘hayyāmin): The right arm is typically a symbol of strength, power, and ability. God's judgment will strike at the very source of the shepherd's authority and effectiveness. This means their ability to lead and protect will be rendered powerless by God's hand.

• “His arm shall be dried up” (תִּפְרַ֥ק, tiperaq): This word means to be loosed, to be broken, or to be unfastened. It conveys the idea of a loss of power, a debilitating effect on the shepherd's strength and ability to function. The hand and arm will be rendered useless, unable to carry out their intended functions.

• “and his right eye blinded.” (וְעֵינֹ֥ו תֵּעַרְצֶֽן, wə‘ênô tî‘arṣen): The eye, especially the right eye, represents wisdom, perception, and discernment. Being blinded signifies the loss of insight, understanding, and the ability to see and guide the flock properly. The shepherd will become incapable of leading, navigating, or protecting.

• Word-group analysis: “Woe to the worthless shepherd, that leaves the flock!”This phrase encapsulates divine condemnation for failed leadership. The "worthless shepherd" (implied by 'ilil) is one who neglects their primary duty – the care of the flock (ts'on). This abandonment leaves the sheep vulnerable.

• Word-group analysis: “My hand shall be against the shepherd, and against the right arm! His arm shall be dried up, and his right eye blinded.”This segment vividly describes the nature of God's judgment. God's opposition (yad 'al) is not just against the person but against their power (zro'a hayyamin). The loss of strength (tipheraq) and vision (ti'ar'tsen) signifies complete incapacitation, leaving the leader utterly ineffective and powerless.

Zechariah 11 17 Bonus section

The prophetic imagery in Zechariah 11 often links divine judgment with symbolic actions of the prophet himself. Zechariah's role as the shepherd, breaking his staffs, mirrors the scattering and forsaking of Israel's leadership. The prophecy anticipates a time when God will directly intervene against the corrupt shepherds and ultimately raise up a shepherd who perfectly fulfills the role, understood by Christian interpretation as Jesus Christ, who would indeed be "struck" but whose sacrifice would ultimately secure the flock. The "right arm" can also be seen metaphorically representing the entire mechanism of power and enforcement, showing that the leadership's ability to operate and maintain control would be nullified by divine action. The reference to the right eye can be understood as foresight and strategic planning, which God also renders useless for those who misuse their authority.

Zechariah 11 17 Commentary

Zechariah 11:17 pronounces a severe judgment on negligent leadership. The shepherd, meant to be a protector and provider, is condemned for abandoning the flock. God's response is direct and personal – His "hand" is against this shepherd, symbolizing the withdrawal of favor and the imposition of punitive action. The striking of the arm, the source of strength and authority, and the blinding of the eye, representing the loss of wisdom and perception, mean complete incapacitation. This highlights that divine judgment targets not just the action of abandonment but the very capacity to lead. The ensuing verse (11:17b, which continues into 11:18) then begins to describe the consequence of this judgment for the nation. For believers, this serves as a stark warning about the accountability of leadership and the seriousness with which God views the welfare of His people. The New Testament fulfillment in Christ's eventual sacrifice for the sheep (John 10) offers a contrasting perfect shepherd who bears judgment for the sheep.