Zechariah 11:10

KJV

And I took my staff, [even] Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I took {H3947} my staff {H4731}, even Beauty {H5278}, and cut it asunder {H1438}, that I might break {H6565} my covenant {H1285} which I had made {H3772} with all the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I took my staff No'am and snapped it in two, "in order to break my covenant, which I made with all the peoples."

Berean Standard Bible

Next I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.

American Standard Version

And I took my staff Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 11:10 portrays a profound symbolic act within a prophetic vision, illustrating God's judicial withdrawal of His gracious covenant from Israel. Through the prophet's dramatic action of breaking the staff named "Beauty," the verse signifies the dissolution of the divine favor and protection that God had extended to His people, a consequence of their persistent unfaithfulness and rejection of His shepherdly care. This act foreshadows a period of judgment and the fracturing of the unity among the people, setting the stage for further prophetic revelation concerning their future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 11:10 is a pivotal moment within a complex allegorical passage (Zechariah 11:4-17) where the prophet Zechariah assumes the role of a shepherd tending a flock destined for slaughter. This section immediately follows the divine command for Zechariah to "shepherd the flock doomed to slaughter" (Zechariah 11:4), a flock whose "owners slaughter them and go unpunished" (Zechariah 11:5). The prophet employs two staffs: "Beauty" (or "Graciousness") and "Bands" (or "Union"). The breaking of "Beauty" in this verse precedes the breaking of the second staff, "Bands," in Zechariah 11:14, indicating a two-fold judgment: first, the withdrawal of God's favor, and second, the fracturing of national unity between Judah and Israel. The narrative then progresses to the shepherd's dismissal for "thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12-13), a clear prophetic foreshadowing of the betrayal of the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic ministry of Zechariah occurred after the Babylonian exile, during the period of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (circa 520-518 BC). The people had returned to the land, but their spiritual fervor had waned, and they faced internal struggles and external pressures. The imagery of a shepherd and flock was deeply resonant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where kings and leaders were often depicted as shepherds of their people. God Himself is frequently portrayed as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel (e.g., [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). The "covenant" referenced here primarily refers to the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, which outlined God's gracious relationship with Israel and their obligations to Him. The breaking of such a covenant, often symbolized by a ritual act, signified the termination of the agreement due to one party's failure to uphold its terms.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. The most prominent is the **Broken Covenant**, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises but also His righteous judgment when His people persistently violate their covenant obligations. This act underscores the **Consequences of Rejection**, as Israel's unfaithfulness and eventual rejection of the true Shepherd lead to the withdrawal of divine favor and protection. It also speaks to the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where God's patience reaches its limit, and He allows the natural consequences of rebellion to unfold. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of the **Rejected Shepherd**, which becomes more explicit in subsequent verses, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection of God's chosen leader, the Messiah, as seen in the price paid for the shepherd in [Zechariah 11:12](/zechariah/11-12 "Zechariah 11:12 - The Price of the Shepherd").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beauty (Hebrew, _nôʻam'_):** From H5278, this word signifies agreeableness, delight, suitableness, splendor, or grace. In this context, it embodies God's gracious covenant, His pleasant dealings, and the favor and protection He extended to Israel. The staff named "Beauty" represents the delightful, benevolent aspect of God's relationship with His people, characterized by peace, prosperity, and divine presence.
* **cut it asunder (Hebrew, _gâdaʻ'_):** From H1438, this primitive root means to fell a tree or, more generally, to destroy anything; to cut (asunder, in sunder, down, off), or hew down. The violent action of cutting the staff "Beauty" in two is a powerful visual metaphor for the termination, destruction, or complete severance of God's gracious covenant. It signifies a decisive and irreversible break, not a mere weakening.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H1285, this term denotes a compact, confederacy, or league, often understood as being made by passing between pieces of flesh (referencing ancient covenant-making rituals). Here, it refers to the solemn agreement between God and Israel, primarily the Mosaic Covenant, which established their unique relationship as God's chosen people under His divine law and promises. The breaking of this `bᵉrîyth` implies the annulment of the mutual obligations and the withdrawal of the associated blessings and protections.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I took my staff, [even] Beauty":** The prophet Zechariah, acting as the symbolic shepherd, takes hold of one of his two staffs. This staff, named "Beauty" (or "Graciousness"), represents the pleasant, favorable, and benevolent aspect of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It signifies the divine favor, protection, and gracious dealings that God had extended to His people, providing them with peace and security.
* **"and cut it asunder":** This is the decisive and dramatic action. The prophet violently breaks or severs the staff "Beauty." This physical act symbolizes the shattering or annulment of the gracious covenant. It is a visual declaration that God's pleasant and favorable dealings with Israel are coming to an end, due to their unfaithfulness and rejection of His shepherdly care. The breaking is complete and irreversible, signifying the withdrawal of divine protection and the cessation of the covenant's blessings.
* **"that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people":** The purpose clause explicitly states the theological implication of the symbolic act. The breaking of the staff is directly equated with the breaking of God's covenant. This covenant, established with "all the people" (meaning the entire nation of Israel), is now being annulled by God. This is not an arbitrary act but a judicial consequence of the people's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and rejection of God's righteous demands. It signifies a shift from a period of grace and protection to one of judgment and exposure to their enemies.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 11:10 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Allegory**. The prophet Zechariah himself acts as an allegorical figure, embodying the role of God as the Shepherd of Israel. The staff named "Beauty" is a powerful symbol representing God's gracious covenant, His favor, and the pleasantness of His dealings with His people. The act of "cutting it asunder" is a symbolic action, a **Prophetic Sign-Act**, which visually communicates the breaking of this covenant. This physical demonstration makes the abstract theological concept of covenant dissolution tangible and impactful. The verse also employs **Metaphor**, equating the staff with the covenant, thereby transferring the concrete action of breaking a staff to the abstract concept of breaking a sacred agreement. The entire passage functions as an **Allegory**, where the shepherd, the staffs, and the flock all represent deeper spiritual realities concerning God, His covenants, and the nation of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 11:10 powerfully illustrates the conditional nature of God's covenant with Israel, particularly the Mosaic Covenant. While God's character is eternally faithful, His covenant relationship with His people involved mutual obligations. When Israel repeatedly violated their part of the covenant through idolatry, disobedience, and rejection of God's prophets, God, in His righteousness, withdrew His protective favor. This act of breaking the staff "Beauty" is a divine judgment, signifying the end of an era of grace and the ushering in of a period of distress and dispersion for the nation. It underscores the severity of rejecting God's gracious leadership and the consequences of spiritual rebellion. This prophetic act serves as a warning against taking God's covenant blessings for granted and highlights the ultimate cost of unfaithfulness.

* [Leviticus 26:14-17](/leviticus/26-14-17 "Leviticus 26:14-17 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 29:24-28](/deuteronomy/29-24-28 "Deuteronomy 29:24-28 - Broken Covenant and Dispersion")
* [Jeremiah 11:10-11](/jeremiah/11-10-11 "Jeremiah 11:10-11 - Breaking the Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 11:10 serves as a sobering reminder that God's grace, while abundant, is not to be presumed upon or abused. The breaking of the staff "Beauty" signifies the painful consequences of persistent unfaithfulness and rejection of divine leadership. For believers today, this passage calls for a deep appreciation of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, a covenant founded on grace and secured by His sacrifice, not on our flawless obedience. Yet, it also warns against complacency and spiritual apathy. While our salvation is secure in Christ, our walk with God still calls for faithfulness, obedience, and a responsive heart to His leading. To ignore God's voice, neglect His commands, or reject His loving guidance can lead to a withdrawal of His manifest blessings and a season of spiritual barrenness, even if not a complete annulment of our salvation. This verse prompts us to examine our own hearts: Are we valuing God's presence and guidance in our lives? Are we truly following the Good Shepherd, or are we, like the flock in Zechariah, prone to straying and rejecting His care?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or as a community, inadvertently "break" our covenant relationship with God through our actions or attitudes?**
* **What does Zechariah 11:10 teach us about the seriousness of God's covenants and the consequences of unfaithfulness?**
* **How does understanding the breaking of the "Beauty" staff deepen our appreciation for the unmerited grace of the New Covenant in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does the staff "Beauty" symbolize in Zechariah 11:10?**

Answer: The staff "Beauty" (Hebrew: _nôʻam_) symbolizes God's gracious covenant with Israel, representing His pleasant dealings, divine favor, and the protective peace and prosperity He extended to His people. It embodies the delightful and benevolent aspect of God's relationship with them, a relationship characterized by His loving care and provision. Its breaking signifies the termination of this period of grace and the withdrawal of His favor due to Israel's unfaithfulness.

**Why did God "break" His covenant with all the people?**

Answer: God's breaking of the covenant, as symbolized by the cutting of the staff "Beauty," was not an arbitrary act but a judicial consequence of Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and rejection of His righteous demands and prophetic warnings. The covenant, particularly the Mosaic Covenant, involved mutual obligations. When Israel repeatedly failed to uphold their end of the agreement, God, in His justice and holiness, withdrew His protective hand and the blessings associated with the covenant, leading to judgment and dispersion. This act underscores the principle that while God is faithful, His covenant blessings are contingent upon the people's responsiveness and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 11:10, with its depiction of the broken staff "Beauty" and the annulled covenant, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate rejection of God's true Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The prophetic drama of Zechariah, where the shepherd is rejected and paid "thirty pieces of silver" ([Zechariah 11:12](/zechariah/11-12 "Zechariah 11:12 - The Price of the Shepherd")), directly foreshadows Judas's betrayal of Jesus for the same amount ([Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas's Betrayal")). The breaking of the staff "Beauty" signifies the end of the Old Covenant's efficacy for those who rejected God's Son. However, in an act of profound divine grace, this breaking paved the way for the establishment of a superior, unbreakable covenant—the New Covenant in Christ's blood ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and the Mediator of this new and eternal covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, while Zechariah 11:10 depicts a covenant broken due to human unfaithfulness, it ultimately points to the greater work of Christ, who, through His own suffering and rejection, inaugurated a covenant of grace that offers true beauty, peace, and an enduring relationship with God for all who believe ([Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1-2 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace with God Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 11:7

And I will feed the flock of slaughter, [even] you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

Psalms 89:39

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.

Jeremiah 31:31

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:32

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Hebrews 8:8

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Jeremiah 14:21

Do not abhor [us], for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.