Zechariah 11:1-9

1 aperi Libane portas tuas et comedat ignis cedros tuas

2 ulula abies quia cecidit cedrus quoniam magnifici vastati sunt ululate quercus Basan quoniam succisus est saltus munitus

3 vox ululatus pastorum quia vastata est magnificentia eorum vox rugitus leonum quoniam vastata est superbia Iordanis

4 haec dicit Dominus Deus meus pasce pecora occisionis

5 quae qui possederant occidebant et non dolebant et vendebant ea dicentes benedictus Dominus divites facti sumus et pastores eorum non parcebant eis

6 et ego non parcam ultra super habitantes terram dicit Dominus ecce ego tradam homines unumquemque in manu proximi sui et in manu regis sui et concident terram et non eruam de manu eorum

7 et pascam pecus occisionis propter hoc o pauperes gregis et adsumpsi mihi duas virgas unam vocavi Decorem et alteram vocavi Funiculos et pavi gregem

8 et succidi tres pastores in mense uno et contracta est anima mea in eis siquidem anima eorum variavit in me

9 et dixi non pascam vos quod moritur moriatur et quod succiditur succidatur et reliqui vorent unusquisque carnem proximi sui

Zechariah 11:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 11

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the Jews, and shows the causes and reasons of it; and is concluded with a prediction concerning antichrist. The destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants of it, is signified by figurative expressions, Zec 11:1,2 which occasions an howling among the shepherds or rulers of Israel, on account of whose cruelty and covetousness the wrath of God came upon them without mercy, Zec 11:3,5,6 but inasmuch as there were a remnant according to the election of grace among them, named the flock of the slaughter, Christ is called upon to feed them; who undertakes it, and prepares for it, Zec 11:4,7 but being abhorred by the shepherds, whom he therefore loathed and cut off, he determines to leave the people to utter ruin and destruction, Zec 11:8,9 and, as a token of it, breaks the two staves asunder he had took to feed them with, Zec 11:10,11,14 and, as an instance of their ingratitude to him, and which is a justification of his conduct towards them, notice is taken of his being valued at and sold for thirty pieces of silver, Zec 11:12,13 but, in the place of these shepherds cut off, it is suggested that another should arise, who is described by his folly, negligence, and cruelty, Zec 11:15,16 to whom a woe is denounced, Zec 11:17.