Zechariah 11 3

Zechariah 11:3 kjv

There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

Zechariah 11:3 nkjv

There is the sound of wailing shepherds! For their glory is in ruins. There is the sound of roaring lions! For the pride of the Jordan is in ruins.

Zechariah 11:3 niv

Listen to the wail of the shepherds; their rich pastures are destroyed! Listen to the roar of the lions; the lush thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Zechariah 11:3 esv

The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Zechariah 11:3 nlt

Listen to the wailing of the shepherds,
for their rich pastures are destroyed.
Hear the young lions roaring,
for their thickets in the Jordan Valley are ruined.

Zechariah 11 verses

Zechariah 11 3 Meaning

Zechariah 11:3 portrays a scene of impending desolation and judgment. It issues an urgent command to the "shepherds," the spiritual and political leaders, to lament over the destruction of "their glory" – referring to the people, nation, or their established authority. This destruction is further emphasized by the "roar of young lions," symbolizing an aggressive, devastating force, likely an invading army or ruthless leaders, which utterly ruins the "thicket of the Jordan," representing a previously secure and thriving part of the land, now made vulnerable. The verse communicates a message of a great calamity striking Israel due to failed leadership.

Zechariah 11 3 Context

Zechariah 11 is a prophetic oracle concerning Israel's rejection of its divine shepherd and the ensuing judgment. The chapter opens with an oracle of judgment upon Lebanon and Bashan (Zec 11:1-2), leading directly into the lament of this verse. It is part of the second major section of Zechariah (chapters 9-14), often referred to as "Deutero-Zechariah," which differs in style and thematic focus from the earlier chapters concerning post-exilic temple rebuilding. This section moves towards messianic and eschatological themes, frequently incorporating lament and judgment prophecies.

In chapter 11, Zechariah symbolically acts out the role of a shepherd tending a flock destined for slaughter (Zec 11:4). This shepherd (representing God, or later, Jesus) is rejected by the flock and by the false shepherds (Zec 11:7-8, 12-13). Verse 3 serves as a prelude to the breaking of the staffs "Favor" and "Union," signifying the broken covenant and the disintegration of Israel's unity, culminating in the introduction of the "worthless shepherd" who oppresses the flock (Zec 11:15-17). Historically, this context points to periods of poor leadership in Israel, particularly after the exile, which contributed to national instability and eventual foreign subjugation, ultimately culminating in the rejection of the Messiah and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Zechariah 11 3 Word analysis

• "Hear" (הִיְלִיל – hî·ylîl): This is an imperative verb, a command for intense lamentation. It implies a loud, public, and distressed crying out, often in response to severe tragedy or divine judgment. Its placement at the beginning highlights the urgency of the summons.

• "wail" (יְלֶלֶת – yelā·leth): A noun referring to a cry of lamentation, a bitter cry of distress or anguish. It is consistently used in the Old Testament to denote intense mourning, often due to national catastrophe, famine, or military defeat. It signifies deep suffering and despair.

• "you shepherds" (הָרֹעִים – hā·rō·‘îm): Plural noun, referring metaphorically to the leaders of Israel. In biblical tradition, kings, priests, and prophets are often depicted as shepherds of God's flock, Israel. Here, they are specifically targeted, implying their culpability or their immediate experience of the unfolding judgment due to their failed leadership or their direct role as watchmen.

• "for their glory" (כִּי־נָשַׁד הַדְרָם – kî-nā·shaḏ haḏ·rām):

  • "for" (כִּי – kî): Conjunction indicating reason or cause, explaining why the shepherds must wail.
  • "destroyed" (נָשַׁד – nā·shaḏ): Verb, perfect tense. Means "to be utterly ruined," "to be laid waste," "to be ravaged." It denotes a complete and destructive overthrow.
  • "their glory" (הַדְרָם – haḏ·rām): From הָדָר (hādār), meaning "splendor," "majesty," "dignity," "honor," "beauty." Here, "their" indicates it pertains to the shepherds or, more broadly, the nation they lead. It could refer to Israel's national prosperity, its land, its power, or even its spiritual status as God's chosen people. Its destruction implies the stripping away of all that gave them pride or security.

• "Hear the roar" (קוֹל שַׁאֲגַת – qō·wl sha·’ă·ḡaṯ):

  • "voice/sound of" (קוֹל – qō·wl): Indicating a prominent sound, a declaration of what is to come.
  • "roar" (שַׁאֲגַת – sha·’ă·ḡaṯ): Noun. The distinctive, frightening sound of a predator, especially a lion, signifying imminent danger, violence, or a hostile approach. It conveys fear and a lack of control.

• "of young lions" (כְּפִירִים – kə·p̄î·rîm): Plural noun for "young lions." In biblical imagery, lions often symbolize powerful, destructive entities, whether foreign empires (Assyria, Babylon), ruthless individuals, or even divine judgment (Amos 3:8). "Young lions" emphasizes their vigor, ferocity, and insatiable appetite for prey, pointing to an unstoppable, devastating force.

• "for the thicket of the Jordan" (כִּי־שֻׁדַּד גְּאוֹן הַיַּרְדֵּן – kî-shuḏ·daḏ gə·’ō·wn hay·yar·dên):

  • "for" (כִּי – kî): Again, a conjunction explaining the cause for the "roar."
  • "is ruined" (שֻׁדַּד – shuḏ·daḏ): Verb, passive perfect tense, from שָׁדַד (shāḏaḏ), meaning "to be laid waste," "to be devastated," "to be destroyed." It is a strong term for desolation, mirroring "destroyed" (נָשַׁד) earlier.
  • "the thicket of the Jordan" (גְּאוֹן הַיַּרְדֵּן – gə·’ō·wn hay·yar·dên): "גְּאוֹן" (gā’ôn) means "pride," "majesty," "swelling," "arrogance," or "luxuriance." Here, in geographical context, it refers to the lush, dense growth along the banks of the Jordan River, often a hiding place for wild animals like lions. It symbolizes a place of natural defense, fertility, or even national confidence and security. Its ruin signifies the complete devastation of a once secure and prosperous region, leaving it vulnerable and desolate.

Words-group analysis:

• "Hear the wail, you shepherds": A direct, urgent call for the leadership of Israel to confront the severity of their situation, implying their direct responsibility or vulnerability to the impending disaster. It functions as a prophetic lament.
• "for their glory is destroyed": This phrase directly states the cause for lamentation. It refers to the destruction of Israel's former majesty, dignity, prosperity, or power, a direct consequence of their collective actions and the failures of their leadership.
• "Hear the roar of young lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined": This powerfully evokes a dual image of imminent external threat and internal desolation. The "roar of young lions" announces the destructive force—be it foreign invaders or ruthless internal figures—while the "ruined thicket of the Jordan" points to the collapse of the land's natural defenses and its former abundance. This signifies total vulnerability and pervasive destruction across the land.

Zechariah 11 3 Bonus section

• The parallel structure between the two halves of the verse—"Hear the wail... for their glory is destroyed; Hear the roar... for the thicket... is ruined"—emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the inevitable consequence of failure: a cry of despair linked to destruction, and the roar of a predator linked to pervasive ruin.
• The "thicket of the Jordan" was renowned in antiquity. Its destruction speaks to a major disruption of the natural order and an end to perceived safety within the land of promise. This isn't just loss but an overturn of familiar security.
• The transition in Zechariah 11:1-3, from the generalized destruction of forest and mighty trees in Lebanon and Bashan to the more specific "thicket of the Jordan," signifies the approaching devastation from the north and east, engulfing all parts of the land, eventually reaching even its central, symbolic lifeline—the Jordan River valley.
• Some rabbinic interpretations connect the "young lions" to specific historical figures or nations who oppressed Israel, like Nebuchadnezzar, but within the broader biblical prophetic context, they serve as a timeless symbol of fierce, unstoppable judgment.

Zechariah 11 3 Commentary

Zechariah 11:3 is a pivotal verse, articulating the despair that envelops Israel due to catastrophic events foreshadowed by a breakdown in divine-human relations and leadership. The call to "wail" signals deep mourning, specifically directed at the "shepherds," underscoring their responsibility for the nation's spiritual and temporal state. These shepherds represent the succession of unfaithful leaders, be they kings, priests, or scribes, who exploited rather than protected God's flock. Their failure led to the ruin of "their glory," meaning the nation's spiritual well-being, its security, and its prosperity, which God had bestowed.

The imagery of the "roar of young lions" and the "thicket of the Jordan" reinforces the scope and ferocity of the impending judgment. The lions represent a fierce, predatory force, possibly a foreign army (like the Assyrians or Babylonians, or even the later Romans) sent as divine judgment, or even oppressive rulers within Israel who devoured the people. The "thicket of the Jordan," a once secure, verdant area known for its wild animals, becoming "ruined" symbolizes the widespread desolation of the land. No longer a refuge, even the naturally protected areas would fall victim to devastation. This foretells a time when Israel's strength, beauty, and security would be completely shattered, leaving it utterly vulnerable to its oppressors. It's a somber prophecy of divine abandonment and consequent judgment for chronic unfaithfulness, preparing the reader for the detailed allegory of the shepherds that follows.