Zechariah 13:7
ΒΆ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Awake {H5782}, O sword {H2719}, against my shepherd {H7462}, and against the man {H1397} that is my fellow {H5997}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}: smite {H5221} the shepherd {H7462}, and the sheep {H6629} shall be scattered {H6327}: and I will turn {H7725} mine hand {H3027} upon the little ones {H6819}.
"Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the young ones.
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,against the man who is My Companion,declares the LORD of Hosts.Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered,and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
Cross-References
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Mark 14:27 (25 votes)
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. -
Matthew 26:31 (21 votes)
ΒΆ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. -
Isaiah 40:11 (11 votes)
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young. -
John 16:32 (9 votes)
Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. -
Mark 14:50 (9 votes)
And they all forsook him, and fled. -
Ezekiel 37:24 (9 votes)
And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. -
Zechariah 11:7 (7 votes)
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.
Commentary
Zechariah 13:7 is a profound prophetic declaration, often understood as a direct foretelling of the suffering of the Messiah. It reveals a divine command for judgment against a unique "shepherd," whose striking leads to the scattering of the flock, yet also promises God's eventual care for the remnant.
Context
This verse is situated within Zechariah's prophetic book, which primarily addresses the post-exilic community in Judah. Zechariah 9-14 forms a distinct section focusing on future events concerning Israel, the coming Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom. Leading up to this verse, Zechariah 13 speaks of the removal of idolatry and false prophets, foreshadowing a time of spiritual purification for the nation. Verse 7 marks a pivotal shift, introducing the theme of a shepherd's sacrifice and its immediate consequences, laying the groundwork for further prophecies of refining and restoration.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Prophetic Fulfillment
This verse is famously and directly quoted by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 26:31 and Mark 14:27. On the night of His arrest, Jesus tells His disciples that they will all be scattered because of Him, directly applying Zechariah's prophecy to His own crucifixion and its immediate effect on His followers. The "shepherd" is unequivocally Jesus, who was "smitten" (crucified), leading to the temporary scattering of His disciples. The "little ones" can be understood as the disciples, or the remnant of believers who would eventually be gathered and refined, as further described in Zechariah 13:9.
Practical Application
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