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Zechariah 11:11

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And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it [was] the word of the LORD.

And it was broken {H6565} in that day {H3117}: and so the poor {H6041} of the flock {H6629} that waited {H8104} upon me knew {H3045} that it was the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

On that day when it was broken, the most miserable of the sheep who paid attention to me knew that this was indeed a message from ADONAI.

It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD.

And it was broken in that day; and thus the poor of the flock that gave heed unto me knew that it was the word of Jehovah.

Commentary

Zechariah 11:11 is a pivotal verse within a prophetic passage that uses the imagery of a shepherd and his flock to illustrate God's relationship with Israel and the consequences of their rejection of His divine leadership.

Context

This verse is part of a dramatic prophetic oracle in Zechariah chapters 10-11, which shifts from visions of restoration to a somber portrayal of God's judgment and the rejection of the true shepherd. In the preceding verses, the prophet Zechariah acts out a parable as a shepherd tending a flock destined for slaughter. He carries two staffs: "Beauty" (or Graciousness) and "Bands" (or Union). Zechariah 11:10 describes the breaking of the staff "Beauty", symbolizing the breaking of God's covenant of grace and protection with His people. Verse 11 directly follows this action, detailing its immediate impact.

Key Themes

  • Broken Covenant and Divine Judgment: The breaking of the staff "Beauty" signifies the termination of God's gracious covenant, particularly with Judah and Israel. This act represents God withdrawing His favor and protection due to the nation's persistent disobedience and rejection of His true leadership. It foreshadows a period of severe national distress and dispersion.
  • Discernment of the Faithful Remnant: The phrase "the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD" highlights a crucial distinction. Not everyone understood the significance of these prophetic actions or the divine judgment they represented. Only the humble, spiritually attentive, and genuinely believing remnant—those who "waited upon" or paid attention to the Lord—were able to discern that these events were not random but were indeed the fulfillment of God's spoken word and His sovereign plan. This group represents those who had spiritual insight despite the national apostasy.
  • Rejection of the True Shepherd: This entire chapter prophetically prefigures the rejection of the Messiah, the ultimate Good Shepherd (see John 10:11). The events described here, including the breaking of the covenant and the subsequent "selling" of the shepherd for thirty pieces of silver in Zechariah 11:12-13, are widely understood as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ's rejection and crucifixion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the poor of the flock" (Hebrew: 'aniyey ha-tso'n) does not solely refer to material poverty. It carries a deeper spiritual connotation, referring to the humble, meek, afflicted, or oppressed who are spiritually dependent on God. These are the ones who are receptive to God's truth and recognize His hand in unfolding events, contrasting with the proud and self-sufficient who remain blind to divine revelation.

Practical Application

Zechariah 11:11 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment and humility. In times of national or personal crisis, it is the spiritually "poor" or humble who are most likely to recognize God's hand at work, whether in judgment or in grace. It challenges believers to cultivate a heart that "waits upon" the Lord, paying close attention to His word and His providential workings, so that they may understand His purposes even when they are difficult or unexpected. It also underscores that God's word is always fulfilled, and those who genuinely seek Him will recognize its truth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zephaniah 3:12 (3 votes)

    I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

  • Luke 7:22 (2 votes)

    Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

  • Romans 11:7 (2 votes)

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

  • Romans 11:12 (2 votes)

    Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

  • Isaiah 26:8 (2 votes)

    Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

  • Isaiah 26:9 (2 votes)

    With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

  • Isaiah 40:31 (2 votes)

    But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.