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.

And I will feed {H7462} the flock {H6629} of slaughter {H2028}, even you {H3651}, O poor {H6041} of the flock {H6629}. And I took {H3947} unto me two {H8147} staves {H4731}; the one {H259} I called {H7121} Beauty {H5278}, and the other {H259} I called {H7121} Bands {H2254}; and I fed {H7462} the flock {H6629}.

So I shepherded the flock for slaughter, truly the most miserable of the sheep; and I took two staffs for myself. I called the one No'am [pleasantness], the other I called Hovalim [bound together], and I shepherded the flock.

So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.

So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the 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.

Commentary

Commentary on Zechariah 11:7 (KJV)

Zechariah 11:7 is a significant verse within a complex prophetic chapter that uses shepherd imagery to illustrate the relationship between God, Israel, and its leaders. This passage is often interpreted as an allegorical prophecy concerning the rejection of God's divine care and the subsequent judgment, with strong Messianic undertones foreshadowing Christ's ministry and rejection.

Context

The book of Zechariah was written during the post-exilic period, encouraging the returned exiles to rebuild the Temple and re-establish their covenant relationship with God. Chapter 11 shifts from visions of restoration to a somber prophetic drama, portraying a shepherd (likely representing the Lord Himself, or a prophetic figure acting on His behalf) tending a flock destined for slaughter. This "flock" symbolizes the nation of Israel, and the "shepherds" represent its corrupt and failing leaders who exploit rather than protect their people. The passage sets the stage for the shepherd's eventual rejection by the flock, leading to the breaking of two symbolic staves.

Key Themes

  • Divine Shepherdship vs. Corrupt Leadership: The verse introduces the true Shepherd (God) taking charge of a flock that has been neglected and abused by its human leaders.
  • The "Flock of Slaughter": This refers to the people of Israel, particularly those oppressed and exploited by their shepherds, and ultimately destined for judgment.
  • The "Poor of the Flock": These are the humble, discerning, and often marginalized members of Israel who recognize the true Shepherd and His care, contrasting with the complacent or rebellious majority.
  • Covenant and Unity: The two staves, "Beauty" and "Bands," symbolize God's gracious covenant with His people and the intended unity of the nation.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: Many commentators see this passage as a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who came to His own people but was rejected, ultimately fulfilling the prophecy of being sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12).

Linguistic Insights

The two staves mentioned carry significant meaning in their original Hebrew:

  • Beauty: The Hebrew word is No'am (ื ึนืขึทื), which means "pleasantness," "grace," or "favor." In this context, it represents the gracious covenant God made with Israel, His favor extended to them, and the pleasantness of His guidance. It signifies the security and prosperity that resulted from God's direct rule and protection over His people, as depicted in Psalm 23:1.
  • Bands: The Hebrew word is Hobelim (ื—ึนื‘ึฐืœึดื™ื), meaning "binders" or "union." This staff symbolizes the unity and brotherhood between the tribes of Israel, particularly between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). It represents the concord and cohesion that God intended for His people, as seen in prophecies of their reunification like Ezekiel 37:19.

Verse Breakdown and Cross-References

"And I will feed the flock of slaughter, [even] you, O poor of the flock."
The shepherd, representing God or a prophetic figure, takes on the responsibility for a flock already doomed to destruction by its previous, oppressive shepherds (Zechariah 11:4). The "poor of the flock" are the humble, afflicted, and spiritually discerning remnant who recognize the true Shepherd's voice and respond to His care, unlike the majority who are blind or rebellious. This highlights God's particular concern for the marginalized and faithful within His people.

"And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
The shepherd adopts two staves, symbolic tools of his authority and care. "Beauty" signifies God's covenantal favor and the blessings of His guidance, while "Bands" represents the internal unity of Israel. By taking these staves, the shepherd demonstrates his intention to govern and nourish the flock according to God's divine plan of grace and unity. The subsequent breaking of these staves in later verses (Zechariah 11:10 and Zechariah 11:14) symbolizes the breaking of the covenant and the dissolution of unity due to the flock's rejection of the shepherd.

Practical Application

Zechariah 11:7 offers profound insights for believers today:

  1. Discerning True Leadership: It reminds us to seek out and follow spiritual leaders who genuinely care for the flock, feeding and protecting them, rather than exploiting or neglecting them. This echoes the warnings against false shepherds found in Ezekiel 34:2 and the example of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11.
  2. God's Care for the Humble: The focus on the "poor of the flock" highlights God's special attention to the humble, the afflicted, and those who genuinely seek Him, even within a larger context of spiritual decline.
  3. The Value of Covenant and Unity: The symbolism of "Beauty" and "Bands" underscores the importance of God's covenant grace and the vital need for unity within the body of Christ. When these are disregarded, negative consequences follow.
  4. Understanding Rejection and Suffering: This passage helps us understand how God's gracious provision can be rejected, leading to suffering and disunity. It also provides a framework for understanding Christ's own path of suffering and rejection.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 11:14

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

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • Zechariah 11:4

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

  • Zephaniah 3:12

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

  • Isaiah 61:1

    ยถ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Ephesians 2:13

    But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

  • Ephesians 2:16

    And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
โ† Back