Zechariah 13 7

Zechariah 13:7 kjv

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Zechariah 13:7 nkjv

"Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Zechariah 13:7 niv

"Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Zechariah 13:7 esv

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Zechariah 13:7 nlt

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
the man who is my partner,"
says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
"Strike down the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered,
and I will turn against the lambs.

Zechariah 13 verses

Zechariah 13 7 Meaning

Zechariah 13:7 prophesies divine judgment initiated by God upon "my shepherd," who is explicitly called "the man who is my fellow." This command, given by the LORD of hosts, directly leads to the striking of this shepherd, resulting in the scattering of the sheep. Following this primary event, God declares His intent to "turn His hand against the little ones," indicating further disciplinary action or testing for the flock. This verse, understood fully in the New Testament, is a profound prophecy of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Shepherd, and the temporary dispersal of His disciples.

Zechariah 13 7 Context

Zechariah 13 is part of the final, apocalyptic section of Zechariah (chapters 9-14), which focuses on Israel's future, the coming Messiah, and the day of the Lord. Chapter 13 specifically addresses purification and the removal of idolatry and false prophecy from the land. Verses 1-6 describe a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, the cessation of prophetic delusion, and individuals denying their prophetic identity. Zechariah 13:7 then marks a sharp shift, introducing a dramatic prophecy concerning the striking of a divine shepherd. This event, central to the chapter, is followed by a description of two-thirds of the people being cut off and a remnant being refined (verses 8-9). Historically, Zechariah was prophesying to the returned exiles in post-exilic Jerusalem, a time of rebuilding and spiritual struggle. While the immediate historical audience would have wrestled with its meaning, particularly concerning who "my shepherd" referred to, its ultimate fulfillment became clear through Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 13 7 Word analysis

• Awake (עוּר, `Ur`): A command for active arousal. It often implies a call to judgment or a divinely appointed action, personified as if an inanimate object, the sword, must be stirred to perform its function.
• O sword (חֶרֶב, `Ḥereb`): A direct address to an instrument of divine judgment and warfare. In the Old Testament, the "sword" of God frequently symbolizes His wrath, judgment, or an instrument of a warrior king. Here, it is awakened for a specific, holy purpose by divine decree.
• against my shepherd (עַל־רֹעִי, `‘al-Ro'i`): Identifies the target of the sword. The term "shepherd" signifies a leader, ruler, or one who cares for a people. "My shepherd" strongly indicates a chosen, special shepherd in relation to God. This shepherd is divinely appointed and owned, yet targeted for judgment.
• against the man who is my fellow (וְעַל־גֶּבֶר עֲמִיתִי, `wə‘al-Geber ‘Amītî`): "The man" (`geber`) implies a strong, prominent male figure. "My fellow" (`‘amîtî`) is a crucial and profound term. Derived from `‘āmat` (to be joined or united), it literally means "my neighbor," "my companion," "my closest one," or "one united to me." In this unique context, standing between "my shepherd" and "LORD of hosts," it strongly suggests an intimate association with God, almost equality or a unique shared status, differentiating this shepherd from all others. This divine fellowship is foundational to understanding the Messianic nature of the prophecy.
• declares the LORD of hosts (נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, `Nə’um Yəhwh Tsəbā’ōt`): An authoritative declaration by God, confirming the divine origin and certainty of this event. "LORD of hosts" signifies His sovereign power over all celestial and earthly forces.
• Strike (הַךְ, `Hak`): A forceful command for decisive action, meaning to smite or wound. It denotes a deliberate act of violence with consequences.
• the shepherd (רָעֶה, `Ra'eh`): Repeats the target, emphasizing the one who is struck is indeed the appointed leader.
• and the sheep will be scattered (וְתפוּצֶין הַצֹּאן, `wəṯāpūṣên haṣṣō’n`): The direct and immediate consequence of the shepherd being struck. "Scattered" (`pūṣ`) indicates dispersal, disruption, and a loss of direction, safety, and unity among the flock. This highlights the vital role of the shepherd in maintaining the flock's integrity.
• I will turn my hand (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִּי יָדִי, `wa-hǎšīḇōttî yādî`): This phrase indicates God's direct, personal action and involvement following the scattering. "Turning one's hand" (against or upon) can signify either protection, deliverance, or discipline/judgment, depending on the context and target. Here, as it follows a judgment on the shepherd, it implies divine discipline or testing upon the "little ones."
• against the little ones (עַל־הַצְּעִירִים, `‘al-haṣṣə‘īrīm`): Refers to the "small" or "young" among the flock, often interpreted as the vulnerable, humble, or the surviving remnant. It suggests that even after the initial scattering, a portion of the flock, perhaps the remaining believers or disciples, will face further divine interaction, which is often for purification and refinement.

• "Awake, O sword... against the man who is my fellow": This passage is intensely Christological. The "sword" is not against an enemy but against God's own, specially chosen "shepherd" who stands in unique "fellowship" with God. This points strongly to Jesus Christ, who is God’s appointed shepherd (Jn 10:11) and uniquely equal with God (Php 2:6, Jn 1:1, Col 1:15-17). The sword represents the instrument of God's wrath, used against His Son for the sake of humanity's sin, making the suffering of Jesus a divinely ordained event.
• "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered": Jesus explicitly quotes and applies this part of the prophecy to His own death and the subsequent scattering of His disciples (Matt 26:31, Mark 14:27). His crucifixion (the striking) directly led to His disciples abandoning Him (the scattering). This shows the prophecy's precise fulfillment in the New Testament, solidifying its Messianic interpretation.
• "I will turn my hand against the little ones": This part indicates that the scattered sheep, particularly the humble or true believers among them, will not be entirely abandoned but will experience further divine engagement, likely in the form of discipline, testing, or refinement. This action, although difficult, is intended for purification and ultimate good, leading to a tested and faithful remnant. This is not abandonment, but a process for their spiritual growth, echoing Zech 13:9 and Heb 12:6.

Zechariah 13 7 Bonus section

• The phrase "Awake, O sword" is an example of an imperative often used in prophetic poetry to emphasize the certainty and divine origin of an event, here the active role of divine justice.
• The title "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) is used throughout Zechariah, stressing God's supreme sovereignty and ability to command all powers to achieve His will, including orchestrating the suffering of His own Son.
• Some rabbinic interpretations before the Christian era wrestled with the identity of this shepherd, sometimes suggesting Zerubbabel or other contemporary figures. However, the unique language, especially "my fellow," proved too significant for such limited interpretations, setting it apart as Messianic.
• The idea of a suffering "shepherd" or "servant" is a recurring theme in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 53), and Zechariah 13:7 links directly into this broader prophetic stream, emphasizing divine suffering and sacrifice.
• The "little ones" could also refer to the remaining remnant of Israel who pass through tribulation, consistent with the themes of purification and a surviving remnant in Zechariah 13:8-9.

Zechariah 13 7 Commentary

Zechariah 13:7 presents a powerful and poignant prophecy, uniquely highlighting God's direct role in the suffering of His own chosen Shepherd. The call for the "sword" to "awake" against "my shepherd" and "the man who is my fellow" underscores the divine initiation and purpose behind the impending strike. The descriptor "my fellow" (Hebrew ‘amîtî) is exceptionally profound, indicating a relationship of unique proximity, kinship, or even equality with God, moving beyond mere appointment to suggest divine essence or shared being. This points unequivocally to Jesus Christ, who is both fully human (the man) and fully God (my fellow/equal) (John 1:1, Philippians 2:6).

The consequence of this divine striking – "the sheep will be scattered" – was precisely fulfilled when Jesus' disciples abandoned Him at His arrest and crucifixion (Matthew 26:31). This scattering was not a failure of God's plan, but an intended step in His redemptive work. Following this, God declares, "I will turn my hand against the little ones," indicating His subsequent discipline and refining work upon the vulnerable, true believers among the scattered flock. This signifies a process of testing and purification, preparing a faithful remnant (Zechariah 13:9). Ultimately, the verse illustrates the paradox of divine judgment and love: God’s own Son, the perfect Shepherd, willingly became the object of divine wrath for the redemption of His scattered flock, who would then be further refined for His glory.