(15) Instruments of a foolish shepherd.—It is needless to inquire in what respects, if any, these instruments differed from those of a wise shepherd. The words merely imply that the prophet, having represented the one character, should now personate the other.Foolish is almost equivalent to “wicked” in Bible language, whether this word be used, or that of Psalms 53:2. read more
(16) The young one.—Better, the scattered. The foolish shepherd we understand to mean all the misrulers of Israel from the time of the decline of the glories of the Maccabean period to the day when they themselves declared “We have no king but Cæsar.” With the latter part of the verse comp. Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:19; Daniel 7:23, and contrast it with Ezekiel 34:16. read more
THE CONTENTS OF "ZECHARIAH"Chapters 9-14FROM the number of conflicting opinions which prevail upon the subject, we have seen how impossible it is to decide upon a scheme of division for "Zechariah" 9-14. These chapters consist of a number of separate oracles, which their language and general conceptions lead us on the whole to believe were put together by one hand, and which, with the possible exception of some older fragments, reflect the troubled times in Palestine that followed on the... read more
7. THE REJECTION AND MURDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERDZechariah 11:4-17; Zechariah 13:7-9There follows now, in the rest of chapter 11, a longer oracle, to which Ewald and most critics after him have suitably attached Zechariah 13:7-9. This passage appears to rise from circumstances similar to those of the preceding and from the same circle of ideas. Jehovah’s people are His flock and have suffered. Their rulers are their shepherds; and the rulers of other peoples are their shepherds. A true shepherd... read more
CHAPTER 11 1. The judgment of the land, the temple and the slaughter of the flock (Zechariah 11:1-6 ) 2. The true shepherd set aside and rejected (Zechariah 11:7-14 ) 3. The foolish shepherd (Zechariah 11:15-17 ) Zechariah 11:1-6 . This chapter presents a dark prophetic picture. We have seen in the preceding chapters the blessings and mercies in store for the Israel of the future. The visions and prophecies have revealed their national and spiritual restoration, the overthrow of their... read more
11:15 And the LORD said to me, Take to thee yet {r} the instruments of a foolish shepherd.(r) Signifying that they should have a certain type of regiment and outward show of government: but in effect it would be nothing, for they would be wolves, and devouring beasts instead of shepherds. read more
11:16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, [who] shall not visit those that are cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which {s} standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.(s) And is in health and sound. read more
Judgment Because the True Shepherd of Israel is Rejected and a False Shepherd Accepted (vv. 1-6) This chapter is all prophetic, dealing chiefly with the suffering of Israel because of their rejection of Christ, which eventually results in their tragic acceptance of the antichrist, who will be judged in God's time. "Open your doors, O Lebanon, that fire may devour your cedars" (v. 1). Lebanon has been a constant victim of invasion from the north and has for years suffered through various... read more
END THE AGE , OPEN THE MILLENNIUM It was stated that the first part of the book, chapters 1-8, referred chiefly, though not entirely, to the prophet’s own time. The basis of all the prophecies in that part had a historical relation to the period then present. They were uttered, to encourage the people in rebuilding the temple. And yet there is not one of them that did not take cognizance of the far future. The discourses of this, the second part, deal almost entirely with the future. It... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Zechariah 11:4-17
(4-17) The great difficulty of this passage, which is metaphorical and symbolical throughout, consists in the fact that hardly any clue to the interpretation is given to us. Thus commentators are quite unable to agree as to whether the shepherds spoken of are heathen or native rulers. And on this point the whole nature of the interpretation turns. Guided by the language of Zechariah 11:6; Zechariah 11:10, we conclude that the shepherds represent foreign oppressors. Our prophet seems to have had... read more