Zechariah 11:14

KJV

Then I cut asunder mine other staff, [even] Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I cut asunder {H1438} mine other {H8145} staff {H4731}, even Bands {H2254}, that I might break {H6565} the brotherhood {H264} between Judah {H3063} and Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I snapped in two my other staff Hovalim [bound together], in order to break up the brotherhood between Y'hudah and Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

American Standard Version

Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 11:14 is a profound prophetic declaration within an allegorical passage, depicting the Lord's decisive act of breaking the staff named "Bands." This action symbolizes the dissolution of the internal unity and spiritual brotherhood between the historically divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, signifying a divine judgment upon a people who had rejected their true Shepherd. The verse underscores the severe consequences of national and spiritual disunity, leading to a fracturing of the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 11 presents a complex allegorical prophecy where the prophet assumes the role of a shepherd tending a flock destined for slaughter. The shepherd carries two symbolic staffs: "Beauty" (or "Graciousness") and "Bands" (or "Union"). In [Zechariah 11:10](/zechariah/11-10 "Zechariah 11:10 - Breaking of Beauty"), the staff "Beauty" was broken, symbolizing the breaking of God's covenant of grace and protection with His people. Verse 14 describes the breaking of the second staff, "Bands," which represents the internal cohesion and brotherhood of the nation. This act completes the shepherd's symbolic actions of judgment, setting the stage for the rise of a "worthless shepherd" in the subsequent verses, further emphasizing the consequences of rejecting the true divine leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Zechariah prophesied in the post-exilic period, the imagery in this chapter draws heavily on the historical division of the united monarchy into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) or Ephraim, and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), which occurred after the reign of Solomon, as detailed in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom"). This historical schism serves as a powerful backdrop for the prophecy of a deeper, spiritual fracturing. The concept of "brotherhood" was paramount for a covenant people, emphasizing their shared heritage, faith, and divine election. The breaking of this bond would have been understood as a catastrophic internal collapse, undermining the very identity and strength of God's chosen nation. The prophecy looks beyond the initial political split to a more profound and enduring spiritual disunity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and broader biblical theology. It highlights **Divine Judgment**, as the breaking of the staffs represents God's active withdrawal of His protective hand and the imposition of judgment due to the people's persistent disobedience and rejection of His guidance. The central theme is **Broken Unity**, specifically the profound and lasting division among God's people, leading to internal conflict and weakness rather than spiritual strength and cohesion. This disunity is a direct **Consequence of Rejection** of the true Shepherd; when the nation rejects God's gracious covenant and leadership, as foreshadowed in [Zechariah 11:10](/zechariah/11-10 "Zechariah 11:10 - Breaking of Beauty"), the natural outcome is internal strife and vulnerability, ultimately leading to their desolation, a theme echoed in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37-38](/matthew/23-37-38 "Matthew 23:37-38 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut asunder (Hebrew, _gâdaʻ'_ H1438):** This primitive root signifies a forceful and decisive act of destruction. It means "to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything; cut (asunder, in sunder, down, off), hew down." In this context, it emphasizes the Lord's deliberate and complete severance of the bonds that held Judah and Israel together, indicating a divine judgment that is both intentional and irreversible.
* **Bands (Hebrew, _châbal_ H2254):** While the root _châbal_ means "to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind," the noun form (here, _chabalim_) refers to cords, ropes, or bands. Its use here powerfully symbolizes the ties, connections, and unity that bound the tribes of Israel together. The breaking of "Bands" therefore means the destruction of these unifying ties, leading to disarray and fragmentation.
* **brotherhood (Hebrew, _ʼachăvâh_ H264):** Derived from the word for "brother" (אָח), this term explicitly denotes "fraternity" or "brotherhood." Its presence in the verse clarifies the precise nature of the unity being shattered: the familial, national, and spiritual solidarity that was meant to characterize God's people, Judah and Israel, as members of one covenant family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I cut asunder mine other staff":** The "I" refers to the Lord, or the prophet acting as the Lord's representative, highlighting divine agency in this destructive act. The "other staff" is explicitly identified as "Bands," distinguishing it from the previously broken staff, "Beauty." The phrase "cut asunder" denotes a violent, decisive, and complete severance, emphasizing the finality of the action.
* **"even Bands":** This phrase identifies the specific staff being broken. "Bands" symbolizes the internal unity, cohesion, and covenant bonds that were meant to hold the nation of Israel together, representing their shared identity and purpose as God's chosen people.
* **"that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel":** This clause reveals the explicit purpose and devastating consequence of breaking the staff "Bands." It signifies the dissolution of the familial, national, and spiritual unity between the two primary divisions of God's people. This breaking of brotherhood implies a state of internal strife, disunity, and a complete fracturing of the covenant community, leaving them vulnerable and without their former solidarity.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 11:14 makes effective use of several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Symbolism** is central, with the staff named "Bands" serving as a potent symbol for the internal unity and fraternal bonds within the nation of Israel. Its breaking symbolizes the destruction of that unity. The entire chapter functions as an **Allegory**, where the prophet's actions as a shepherd, along with the two staffs and the flock, represent God's dealings with His people, their rejection of Him, and the subsequent divine judgment. Furthermore, **Anthropomorphism** is present as God is depicted performing a human action ("I cut asunder"), making the divine judgment tangible and comprehensible to the audience. The direct statement of purpose, "that I might break the brotherhood," functions as a clear **Statement of Intent**, leaving no ambiguity about the divine will behind the symbolic act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 11:14 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that divine judgment often manifests as the withdrawal of God's unifying presence and the allowing of internal division. When a people reject God's gracious covenant and the leadership of His true shepherd, the natural consequence is the fracturing of their communal bonds and spiritual solidarity. This verse underscores the sacred importance of unity within God's people, revealing that its absence is not merely a social problem but a spiritual one with severe divine implications. The breaking of "Bands" signifies God's allowing His people to experience the full weight of their own choices, leading to self-inflicted disarray and vulnerability.

* [Psalm 133:1](/psalms/133-1 "Psalm 133:1 - The Blessing of Unity")
* [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Striving for Unity in the Spirit")
* [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 11:14 serves as a sobering reminder for believers today about the critical importance of unity within the body of Christ. Just as the ancient nation of Israel suffered fragmentation due to their rejection of God's ways, so too can the church be weakened and its witness compromised by internal strife, theological disagreements, personal agendas, and a lack of genuine love and reconciliation. This verse calls us to examine our own hearts and communities, urging us to actively pursue and preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ([Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Unity of the Spirit")). True spiritual unity is not merely an ideal but a divine imperative, essential for the church to effectively fulfill its mission, reflect God's character to the world, and stand strong against external pressures. We are called to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and cultivators of brotherly love, ensuring that the "bands" of fellowship are strengthened, not broken.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does disunity within a community of faith hinder its mission and witness to the world?**
* **What practical steps can individuals take to foster unity and reconciliation in their local church or broader Christian community?**
* **In what ways might our own actions, attitudes, or theological stances inadvertently contribute to the "breaking of bands" among believers today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the two staffs in Zechariah 11?**

Answer: The two staffs, "Beauty" (or "Graciousness") and "Bands" (or "Union"), are central to the allegory in [Zechariah 11](/zechariah/11 "Zechariah 11 - The Shepherd and the Flock"). "Beauty" represents God's gracious covenant and protective favor over His people, which is broken in [Zechariah 11:10](/zechariah/11-10 "Zechariah 11:10 - Breaking of Beauty"), signifying the end of His direct, benevolent rule. "Bands" symbolizes the internal unity and brotherhood among the tribes of Israel, broken in [Zechariah 11:14](/zechariah/11-14 "Zechariah 11:14 - Breaking of Bands"). Their breaking signifies God's withdrawal of favor and the consequent internal dissolution of the nation due to their rejection of His shepherd, leading to chaos and desolation.

**Did the "brotherhood between Judah and Israel" ever truly break?**

Answer: Yes, the historical division of the united monarchy into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) after Solomon's reign ([1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - Division of the Kingdom")) was a significant initial fracturing. However, Zechariah's prophecy points to a deeper, ongoing, and ultimate spiritual disunity that characterized the Jewish people, especially leading up to and during the time of Christ. This disunity, marked by internal strife and factionalism, culminated in the rejection of their Messiah and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, demonstrating a profound and lasting breakdown of their national and spiritual solidarity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 11:14 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the rejection of Jesus, the true Good Shepherd, by His own people, and the subsequent consequences. The prophetic act of breaking the staff "Bands" foreshadows the profound internal division and spiritual fracturing that would characterize Israel after they refused to acknowledge and follow their Messiah. Jesus lamented over Jerusalem's unwillingness to be gathered under His protective care, a rejection that led to their desolation ([Matthew 23:37-38](/matthew/23-37-38 "Matthew 23:37-38 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). However, Christ's mission was not only to confront this disunity but also to ultimately restore true unity. He is the one who breaks down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity")) in Himself. Through His sacrifice, Jesus gathers His scattered sheep, forming a new spiritual brotherhood—the Church—where all believers are united in Him, regardless of their former divisions ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Other Sheep")). Thus, while the "bands" of national Israel were broken due to their rejection, Christ establishes an unbreakable spiritual unity in His body, founded on His love and the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 4:3-6](/ephesians/4-3-6 "Ephesians 4:3-6 - Unity of the Spirit")).

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

Isaiah 9:21

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Zechariah 11:9

Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.

Acts 23:7

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Acts 23:10

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

James 3:16

For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

Isaiah 11:13

The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

Matthew 24:10

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.