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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 11:4-14

The prophet here is made a type of Christ, as the prophet Isaiah sometimes was; and the scope of these verses is to show that for judgment Christ came into this world (John 9:39), for judgment to the Jewish church and nation, which were, about the time of his coming, wretchedly corrupted and degenerated by the worldliness and hypocrisy of their rulers. Christ would have healed them, but they would not be healed; they are therefore left desolate, and abandoned to ruin. Observe here, I. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 11:7

And I will feed the flock of slaughter ,.... According to the call and commission he had from his divine Father, Zechariah 11:4 he determines to do as it was enjoined him, and as he had undertook: even you, O poor of the flock ; besides the people of the Jews in general, to whom Christ was sent, and he came to feed, there were a small remnant, according to the election of grace, he had a special regard for; and whom he fed by the word and ordinances with himself, the bread of life;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:7

And I wilt feed the flock of slaughter - I showed them what God had revealed to me relative to the evils coming upon the land; and I did this the more especially for the sake of the poor of the flock. Two staves - Two shepherd's crooks. One I called Beauty - that probably by which they marked the sheep; dipping the end into vermillion, or some red liquid. And this was done when they were to mark every tenth sheep, as it came out of the field, when the tithe was to be set apart for the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:7

Verse 7 He resumes here the thread of the discourse, which he had shortly before broken off; for he sets forth what had not yet been sufficiently expressed — that the ingratitude of the people, with which obstinacy was especially united, deserved entire ruin, and that now there was no hope of pardon; for the paternal care of God had been most basely and most shamefully repudiated, as well as the kind favor which he had manifested to the people. God then complains that he fed the flock. Some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:4-14

§ 9. The punishment falls upon the people of Israel because they reject the good Shepherd, personified by the prophet, who rules the flock and chastises evildoers in vain, and at last flings up his office in indignation at their contumacy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:6-7

A terrible doom, and an invaluable privilege. "For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock." These words contain two subjects. I. A TERRIBLE DOOM . "For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:7

And I will feed. Thus the Greek and Latin Versions; but it should be, So I fed . It is the account of what the prophet did in accordance with the command in Zechariah 11:4 (see the end of this verse, "and I fed"). Even you, O poor of the flock. There is difficulty about the word rendered "you" ( lachen ) which may be the personal pronoun, or an adverb meaning "therefore," "therewith," "truly," or a preposition, "on account of;" Vulgate, propter hoc. The best rendering is, I fed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:7-10

The two staves. Acted parable. May be taken to illustrate the two great blessings of Christ's kingdom. I. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD . "Beauty" may indicate the covenant of peace. God's grace restraining, preserving, governing. " Broken. " Sign of judgment and woe. "Ichabod!" But as whole, emblem of the fatherly love and care of God, and the fairness and beneficence of his vile. II. BROTHERHOOD OF MAN . National covenant. Union of Judah and Israel. One people under the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:7-14

A final opportunity. "And I will feed the flock of slaughter," etc. Although the "flock" of Israel was ripe for "slaughter"—as we saw in our last—there was to be, nevertheless, a certain measure of pause before that slaughter began. Israel should hear again, if only once more, an offer of peace. Our present very difficult passage may, perhaps, be understood as describing how such an offer was made to rebellious Israel—just previously to that destruction of Jerusalem which seems predicted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:7-14

The true Shepherd. I. GOD 'S IDEA OF THE TRUE SHEPHERD . His character and service. Faithful and disinterested. Not a hireling. He is for the sheep, not the sheep for him. If his recompense left to the free will of the people, should be adequate and fair. "The workman is worthy of his hire." But the wage should be given in more than material form. " Themselves. " Their trust, sympathy, prayers, and hearty cooperation in all good. "I seek not yours, but you," said Paul. ... read more

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