Zechariah 7:11

KJV

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they refused {H3985} to hearken {H7181}, and pulled away {H5414}{H5637} the shoulder {H3802}, and stopped {H3513} their ears {H241}, that they should not hear {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they wouldn't listen, they stubbornly turned their shoulder away and stopped up their ears, so that they wouldn't have to hear it.

Berean Standard Bible

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.

American Standard Version

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:11 vividly portrays the deep-seated spiritual stubbornness and willful disobedience of the people of Israel, who consistently refused to heed God's commands and prophetic messages. This verse, part of a divine rebuke to a delegation inquiring about religious fasts, highlights their deliberate rejection of divine instruction, characterized by a defiant posture and an intentional closing off of their ears to avoid hearing uncomfortable truths and calls to repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 7 opens with a delegation from Bethel, specifically from the towns of Sharezer and Regem-melech, sent to Jerusalem to inquire of the priests and prophets regarding the continuation of their traditional fasts (mourning the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem) now that the Temple was being rebuilt (cf. [Zechariah 7:1-3](/zechariah/7-1-3 "Zechariah 7:1-3 - The Delegation from Bethel")). God's response, delivered through Zechariah, transcends their specific question about fasting, exposing a deeper spiritual malady. Instead of commending their religious zeal, God challenges their motives, revealing that their fasts were for themselves, not for Him ([Zechariah 7:5-6](/zechariah/7-5-6 "Zechariah 7:5-6 - God's Rebuke of Selfish Fasting")). Verse 11 is a direct indictment, explaining *why* they were in their current state and why their religious observances were hollow: their ancestors had a long history of refusing to listen to God's word delivered through the former prophets ([Zechariah 7:7](/zechariah/7-7 "Zechariah 7:7 - The Call to Obedience from Former Prophets")). This verse serves as a historical and theological anchor, demonstrating a persistent pattern of rebellion that led to the very exile they were now emerging from.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Zechariah is set in the post-exilic period, around 520-518 BC, when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and were engaged in the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The fasts mentioned in [Zechariah 7:3](/zechariah/7-3 "Zechariah 7:3 - The Fast of the Fifth Month") and [Zechariah 7:5](/zechariah/7-5 "Zechariah 7:5 - The Fast of the Seventh Month") were established during the exile to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The people's inquiry reflects a concern for religious ritual, but God's response through Zechariah highlights that their ancestors' failure was not a lack of ritual but a lack of genuine obedience to the moral and ethical demands of the covenant, such as executing true judgment, showing mercy and compassion, and not oppressing the vulnerable ([Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "God's Call to Justice and Mercy")). The imagery of "pulling away the shoulder" evokes the cultural experience of an ox refusing to bear a yoke, signifying a deliberate and stubborn resistance to submission or responsibility. Similarly, "stopping their ears" points to a conscious act of spiritual deafness, a refusal to process and respond to divine truth.

* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 7:11 encapsulates several profound themes that resonate throughout the prophetic literature and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Willful Disobedience**, where the people's actions are not born of ignorance but a deliberate choice to ignore and reject divine instruction and guidance. This refusal to "hearken" is an active, defiant posture against God's authority. Closely related is **Spiritual Stubbornness**, vividly depicted by the metaphor of "pulled away the shoulder," which signifies a stiff-necked refusal to submit to God's will or the "burden" of His righteous demands, echoing similar imagery found in [Nehemiah 9:29](/nehemiah/9-29 "Nehemiah 9:29 - The Stubbornness of Israel") and [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Walking in Stubbornness"). The phrase "stopped their ears, that they should not hear" emphasizes **Intentional Deafness**, a conscious act of blocking out God's truth to avoid conviction and the uncomfortable call to change. This deliberate rejection of divine communication ultimately leads to the theme of **Consequences of Rebellion**, as seen in the broader context of Zechariah 7, where God declares that because they refused to listen, He, in turn, would not listen when they cried out ([Zechariah 7:13](/zechariah/7-13 "Zechariah 7:13 - God's Refusal to Hear")). This verse underscores the timeless principle that genuine worship is not merely external ritual but a heart posture of eager listening and willing obedience to God's voice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **refused (Hebrew, _mâʼên'_):** (H3985) From a primitive root meaning "to refuse." This word denotes a strong, deliberate, and often defiant unwillingness to comply. It's not a passive inability but an active choice to reject or decline. In this context, it highlights the intentionality of their disobedience; they *chose* not to listen.
* **pulled away (Hebrew, _nâthan'_ H5414; _çârar'_ H5637) the shoulder (Hebrew, _kâthêph'_ H3802):** This phrase is a powerful idiom. `nâthan` (H5414) means "to give, put," but can idiomatically mean "to pull." `çârar` (H5637) means "to turn away, be refractory, rebellious." `kâthêph` (H3802) refers to "the shoulder," the place where a burden or yoke is borne. Combined, "pulled away the shoulder" vividly portrays a defiant act of shrugging off responsibility or submission, much like an animal refusing the yoke. It signifies a stubborn, rebellious turning away from what is required.
* **stopped (Hebrew, _kâbad'_ H3513) their ears (Hebrew, _ʼôzen'_ H241):** `kâbad` (H3513) means "to be heavy, dull." When applied to ears (`ʼôzen`, H241), it means to make them heavy or dull, effectively rendering them unable or unwilling to hear. This is not a physical deafness but a spiritual dullness, an intentional act of closing off perception to avoid hearing uncomfortable truths or commands. It emphasizes a deliberate act of self-imposed spiritual insensitivity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they refused to hearken":** This opening clause immediately establishes the core problem: a deliberate and active rejection of God's word. The conjunction "But" signals a contrast to what God desired or commanded. The refusal to "hearken" (Hebrew, `qâshab`, H7181, "to prick up the ears, attend, give heed") indicates a conscious choice not to pay attention, not to incline their ear, and thus, not to obey. It highlights a profound lack of receptivity to divine instruction.
* **"and pulled away the shoulder":** This powerful metaphor illustrates the depth of their resistance. It depicts a defiant, stubborn posture, like an ox or beast of burden refusing to submit to the yoke or carry its load. This action symbolizes their unwillingness to bear the "burden" of God's commands or to submit to His authority. It's an act of rebellion, actively resisting the divine will and the responsibilities of the covenant.
* **"and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.":** This final clause reinforces the intentionality of their spiritual rebellion. They didn't merely fail to hear; they actively "stopped" (made heavy or dull) their ears. This was a conscious effort to block out God's voice, ensuring that the divine message, with its convicting power and call to repentance, would not penetrate their hearts. The purpose clause "that they should not hear" underscores their deliberate desire to remain ignorant or unaffected by God's truth, preferring their own ways over His.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the profound spiritual stubbornness of the people. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly in the phrases "pulled away the shoulder" and "stopped their ears." The former is a vivid agricultural metaphor, likening the people's defiance to an ox shrugging off a yoke, symbolizing their refusal to submit to God's authority and the responsibilities of the covenant. The latter metaphorically describes a self-imposed spiritual deafness, where the ears are intentionally "made heavy" or "dull" to avoid hearing God's truth. This is a form of **Anthropopathy** applied to the people, describing their human actions with vivid, almost physical, terms to highlight their spiritual state. The verse also demonstrates a form of **Parallelism** through the cumulative effect of the three actions: refusing to hearken, pulling away the shoulder, and stopping their ears. Each phrase reinforces the central theme of willful disobedience, building a comprehensive picture of their resistance. The final phrase, "that they should not hear," serves as a **Purpose Clause**, emphasizing the deliberate intent behind their actions, highlighting the active nature of their rebellion rather than passive ignorance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:11 stands as a stark reminder of humanity's persistent tendency toward spiritual rebellion and the tragic consequences of rejecting divine truth. It echoes a recurring theme throughout biblical history: God's consistent revelation of His will, met with humanity's equally consistent refusal to obey. This verse underscores that true piety is not found in external religious observances, such as fasting, but in a heart that is eager to listen to and obey God's voice. The people's actions—refusing to hearken, pulling away the shoulder, and stopping their ears—represent a comprehensive rejection of God's covenantal demands, demonstrating a deep-seated preference for their own desires over the Lord's righteous requirements. This spiritual stubbornness ultimately leads to a breakdown in the relationship with God, where His patience is exhausted, and His judgment becomes inevitable, as seen in the subsequent verses of Zechariah 7. It teaches us that active resistance to God's word hardens the heart, making it increasingly difficult to respond to His grace and truth.

* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hearts Hardened, Ears Stopped")
* [Jeremiah 7:24-26](/jeremiah/7-24-26 "Jeremiah 7:24-26 - Stubborn Hearts and Disobedience")
* [Acts 7:51](/acts/7-51 "Acts 7:51 - Stephen's Rebuke of Stubbornness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:11 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination, challenging us to honestly assess our own posture toward God's word. In a world saturated with information and distractions, it is easy to become spiritually dull, selectively hearing only what affirms our existing beliefs or comforts our desires. This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to the Bible and cultivate a heart that actively "hearkens"—a heart that is attentive, receptive, and eager to obey. Do we, like the people of Zechariah's day, "pull away the shoulder" when God's commands seem inconvenient, burdensome, or contrary to our personal ambitions? Are there areas of our lives where we intentionally "stop our ears" to avoid the conviction of the Holy Spirit or the uncomfortable truths found in Scripture or through godly counsel? True spiritual vitality is marked by a humble willingness to submit to God's will, even when it requires sacrifice or change. Let us pray for soft hearts and open ears, that we may not repeat the mistakes of those who stubbornly resisted the Lord, but instead joyfully embrace His transforming truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "pulling away the shoulder" from God's will or responsibilities He has placed upon me?**
* **Am I truly "hearkening" to God's Word, or do I approach it with a preconceived agenda or a selective hearing?**
* **What might it look like for me to intentionally "stop my ears" to God's voice in my daily life, and how can I cultivate a greater openness?**
* **How does my response to God's commands reflect the sincerity of my worship, beyond mere external religious practices?**

### FAQ
**What does the phrase "pulled away the shoulder" truly mean in Zechariah 7:11?**

Answer: The phrase "pulled away the shoulder" is a vivid metaphor illustrating a deliberate act of stubborn defiance and resistance to God's will. It draws on the common cultural experience of an animal, such as an ox, refusing to submit to the yoke placed upon its shoulders for work. Just as an animal might stiffen its neck and pull back to avoid bearing a burden or being guided, the people of Israel were actively resisting God's commands and the responsibilities of the covenant. It signifies a refusal to submit to divine authority, to carry the "burden" of righteous living, or to be led by God's truth. This imagery emphasizes their willful and active rebellion, not merely a passive failure to understand.

**Why were the people so resistant to God's word, as described in Zechariah 7:11?**

Answer: The resistance described in [Zechariah 7:11](/zechariah/7-11 "Zechariah 7:11 - The People's Stubborn Refusal") stems from a deep-seated spiritual condition of self-will and a preference for their own ways over God's. While the immediate context involves their inquiry about continuing fasts, God's response reveals that their ancestors, and by extension, they themselves, had consistently prioritized external religious observances and personal comfort over genuine obedience to God's moral and ethical laws. They were called to practice justice, mercy, and compassion ([Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "God's Call to Justice and Mercy")), but they refused to listen because it would have required a change of heart and behavior that they were unwilling to make. Their resistance was not due to ignorance, but a deliberate choice to harden their hearts and stop their ears to avoid conviction and the call to repentance. This pattern of willful disobedience ultimately led to severe consequences, including the exile they had just returned from ([Zechariah 7:13-14](/zechariah/7-13-14 "Zechariah 7:13-14 - Consequences of Disobedience")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 7:11, with its lament over humanity's stubborn refusal to hearken and obey God, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the people of Israel consistently "pulled away the shoulder" and "stopped their ears" to the divine voice, Jesus perfectly embodied the opposite: complete and willing submission to the Father's will. He did not come to do His own will, but the will of the Father who sent Him ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Unlike rebellious Israel, Jesus perfectly "hearkened" to God, demonstrating perfect obedience even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/phil/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the true Lamb of God, who willingly bore the yoke of humanity's sin and the burden of God's wrath, never pulling away His shoulder but embracing the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, through His Spirit, Christ enables those who believe in Him to finally hear and obey God's voice, transforming hearts of stone into hearts of flesh ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")). He is the Good Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice and follow Him ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")), offering rest to those who take His yoke upon them, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Christ's Easy Yoke")). Thus, Christ not only perfectly fulfilled the obedience that Israel failed to render but also provides the means for us to overcome our own natural inclination to rebellion, enabling us to truly hearken and submit to God.

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

Nehemiah 9:29

And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Jeremiah 8:5

Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Hosea 4:16

For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

Zechariah 1:4

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and [from] your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Ezekiel 3:7

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

Acts 7:57

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,