Zechariah 11:17 - Exposition

Woe to the idol shepherd! rather, woe to the worthless shepherd! literally, shepherd of vanity, or nothingness, as Job 13:4 , "physicians of no value." The LXX ; recognizing that no special shepherd is signified, renders, ὦ οἱ ποιμαίνοντες τὰ μάταια , "Alas for those who tend vanities!" St. Jerome, expounding the verse of antichrist, " O pastor, et idolum !" That leaveth the flock. Thus Christ speaks of the hireling ( John 10:12 ). The sword shall be upon his arm, etc. The punishment denounced is in accordance with the neglect of the shepherd's duties. The sword represents the instrument of punishment, whatever it he; the right eye, the severity of the retribution ( 1 Samuel 11:2 ). The arm that ought to have defended the flock shall be withered up as by catalepsy; the eye that should have watched for their safety shall be blinded. This is the judgment on the foolish shepherd. Ewald thinks that the passage Zechariah 13:7-9 is out of place there, and belonged originally to the end of the, present chapter.