Zechariah 11:4

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} my God {H430}; Feed {H7462} the flock {H6629} of the slaughter {H2028};

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI my God says this: "Shepherd the flock for slaughter.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter,

American Standard Version

Thus said Jehovah my God: Feed the flock of slaughter;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 11:4 initiates a profound and somber prophetic allegory where the Lord God commands the prophet Zechariah to assume the role of a shepherd over a "flock of the slaughter." This divine directive underscores God's active involvement in the unfolding judgment upon His people, Israel, who, due to the failure of their corrupt leaders and their own spiritual rebellion, are depicted as sheep destined for severe affliction and dispersion, yet still under the compassionate, albeit firm, gaze of their God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 11 marks a significant shift in the book, moving from earlier prophecies of restoration, messianic hope, and the rebuilding of the temple (chapters 1-8) to a series of oracles concerning Israel's rejection of God and the consequences of unfaithful leadership. Chapters 9-14 form a distinct prophetic unit, often referred to as "The Burden." Within this section, chapter 11 specifically introduces a dramatic allegorical act, where Zechariah is commanded to embody a shepherd. This allegorical action, which continues through Zechariah 11:17, vividly portrays the relationship between God, His people (the flock), and their corrupt leaders, culminating in the breaking of two staffs, "Beauty" and "Bands," symbolizing the dissolution of God's covenant with His people and the breaking of brotherhood between Judah and Israel. The immediate verses following Zechariah 11:4 detail the prophet's actions as shepherd, the rejection of his leadership, and the ultimate judgment upon the worthless shepherds.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied in the post-exilic period, around 520-518 BC, after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. The people were back in their land, rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, but faced internal struggles, spiritual apathy, and external opposition. The imagery of a "shepherd" was deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern culture, where kings and leaders were often referred to as shepherds of their people. This metaphor conveyed responsibility for protection, provision, and guidance. Conversely, "flock of the slaughter" would have resonated powerfully with a people who had experienced the devastation of exile and were acutely aware of their vulnerability. The failure of past kings and priests to faithfully shepherd God's people was a recurring theme in prophetic literature, setting the stage for Zechariah's indictment of the current corrupt leadership, who exploited rather than cared for the flock.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 11:4 contributes to several overarching themes in Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. A primary theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God Himself initiates the prophetic act and declares the flock's grim destiny, highlighting His ultimate control over history and His people's fate. Another crucial theme is the **Responsibility and Failure of Leadership**, particularly the contrast between faithful and unfaithful shepherds. This chapter serves as a stark indictment of Israel's corrupt leaders who "slaughter" or exploit the flock rather than "feed" or care for them, a theme powerfully echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1-4 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Woe to Unfaithful Shepherds") and [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - God's Judgment on Unfaithful Shepherds and Promise of a True Shepherd"). Despite the impending judgment, the command to "Feed the flock" also subtly introduces the theme of **God's Enduring Compassion and Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that even in judgment, God does not entirely abandon His people but seeks to provide a measure of care, even if it is through a prophet to a condemned flock. This foreshadows the ultimate coming of the true, compassionate Shepherd.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to say," carries a wide semantic range, including to declare, command, appoint, or utter. In the context of "Thus saith the LORD my God," it signifies a direct, authoritative, and binding divine pronouncement. It establishes the prophetic utterance not as human opinion, but as the very word of God, carrying absolute weight and certainty.
* **Feed (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** More than merely providing sustenance, _râʻâh_ encompasses the full scope of shepherding: to tend, pasture, guide, protect, and rule. It implies holistic care and responsible leadership. The command to "feed" the flock of slaughter, therefore, is a poignant paradox, instructing the prophet to exercise the duties of a true shepherd even over a flock destined for destruction, highlighting God's enduring concern for His people despite their impending judgment.
* **flock (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** This collective noun refers to sheep or goats, but is frequently used figuratively in the Old Testament to represent the people of Israel. Here, it signifies the covenant people of God, emphasizing their vulnerability and dependence, much like sheep on a shepherd. The addition of "of the slaughter" profoundly modifies this image, transforming the typical pastoral scene into one of impending doom, where the flock's destiny is to be killed.
* **slaughter (Hebrew, _hărêgâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to kill" or "to slay," denotes a mass killing or slaughter. Its use in "flock of the slaughter" is chillingly precise, indicating that the flock is not merely in danger, but is specifically marked for destruction. It signifies a people under divine judgment, facing severe consequences due to their actions and the failings of their spiritual and political leadership, who have led them to this tragic fate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD my God;":** This opening phrase is a powerful prophetic formula, immediately establishing the divine origin and authority of the message. It underscores that the command is not Zechariah's own initiative but a direct, unequivocal mandate from the sovereign God, Yahweh, who identifies Himself personally as "my God" to the prophet, reinforcing the intimacy and gravity of the commission.
* **"Feed the flock of the slaughter;":** This is the core imperative of the verse, a paradoxical and deeply symbolic command. "Feed" (or "shepherd") denotes the responsibility of care, guidance, and provision. However, this care is to be extended to a "flock of the slaughter," meaning a people destined for judgment and destruction. This phrase vividly portrays Israel as a condemned flock, whose fate is sealed due to their spiritual rebellion and the misguidance of their unfaithful leaders. The prophet is called to embody God's enduring, yet stern, compassion by ministering to a people facing imminent divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 11:4 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Allegory**. The prophet Zechariah is commanded to act as a **symbolic** shepherd, representing either God Himself or a faithful leader appointed by God. The "flock" is a clear **metaphor** for the people of Israel, a common biblical image for God's covenant people. The phrase "flock of the slaughter" is a stark, chilling **metaphor** and **foreshadowing**, indicating the impending judgment and destruction awaiting this people due to their spiritual condition and the failure of their leaders. The command to "Feed" this condemned flock creates a powerful **paradox**, highlighting God's enduring concern and the responsibility of true pastoring even in the face of divine wrath. The entire passage functions as an **allegory**, where the actions and characters within the narrative represent deeper theological truths about God's relationship with Israel and the consequences of their choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 11:4 profoundly underscores the themes of divine judgment, the accountability of leadership, and God's enduring, yet complex, relationship with His covenant people. It reveals that God's justice is not arbitrary but a consequence of persistent rebellion and the failure of those entrusted with spiritual care. Even as judgment looms, the command to "feed" or "shepherd" the condemned flock reveals a divine compassion that seeks to provide a measure of care, perhaps to mitigate suffering or to offer a final opportunity for response, even for those facing dire consequences. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God holds leaders responsible for their stewardship of His people and that spiritual neglect or exploitation will inevitably lead to severe divine reckoning.

* [Jeremiah 23:1](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1 - Woe to the shepherds who destroy God's flock")
* [Ezekiel 34:2](/ezekiel/34-2 "Ezekiel 34:2 - Unfaithful shepherds feed themselves, not the flock")
* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' compassion for the harassed and helpless flock")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 11:4 offers a sobering call to introspection for both leaders and individuals within the community of faith today. For those in positions of spiritual authority, it serves as a stark warning against neglecting or exploiting the flock entrusted to their care. The "flock of the slaughter" reminds us that spiritual apathy, false teaching, or self-serving leadership can lead people down paths of destruction, incurring divine displeasure. True shepherding, as commanded by God, involves sacrificial care, diligent guidance, and a profound commitment to the well-being of those under one's charge, even when they are wayward or facing difficult consequences. For all believers, this verse prompts reflection on our own spiritual state and our responsiveness to God's guidance. Are we part of a flock that is being faithfully led, or are we, through our own choices or the failures of others, drifting towards spiritual peril? It calls us to discern true shepherds from false ones and to seek the compassionate care that God desires for His people, even in the midst of a world facing its own forms of "slaughter" from sin and brokenness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might spiritual leaders today inadvertently "slaughter" the flock through neglect, false teaching, or self-interest?**
* **How can individual believers discern whether they are being faithfully "fed" or are part of a "flock of the slaughter" in their spiritual communities?**
* **What does God's command to "Feed the flock of the slaughter" reveal about His character, even in the context of impending judgment?**
* **How does this verse challenge us to exercise compassion and care for those who are spiritually vulnerable or facing difficult consequences, even if their situation is a result of their own choices?**

### FAQ
**What does "flock of the slaughter" mean in Zechariah 11:4?**

Answer: The phrase "flock of the slaughter" (Hebrew: _tsôʼn hărêgâh_) is a powerful and somber metaphor referring to the people of Israel who are destined for severe judgment and destruction. It signifies a people who, due to their spiritual rebellion, rejection of God's true shepherd, and the corrupt leadership of their own shepherds (kings, priests, prophets), are being led to their demise. This imagery highlights their vulnerability and the impending divine wrath and dispersion they would experience. It is not necessarily a literal slaughter but rather a comprehensive judgment that would lead to suffering, loss, and scattering, as seen in historical events like the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 11:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the true and Good Shepherd. While Zechariah was commanded to shepherd a "flock of the slaughter" destined for judgment, Jesus came to shepherd a lost and scattered flock, many of whom were indeed "sheep without a shepherd" ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' compassion for the harassed and helpless flock")). He is the one who truly "feeds" His flock, not just with physical sustenance but with the bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and living water ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus offers living water")). Poignantly, Jesus Himself 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")), the ultimate "flock of the slaughter" in His sacrificial death, willingly laying down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for the sheep")). Through His death and resurrection, He transformed the destiny of the condemned flock, offering salvation and eternal life to all who follow Him, thereby fulfilling the ideal of the faithful Shepherd that Israel's leaders tragically failed to embody.

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.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Micah 5:4

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Romans 15:8

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:

John 20:17

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.

Matthew 15:24

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Zechariah 14:5

And ye shall flee [to] the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, [and] all the saints with thee.