Zechariah 13:7

7. Jehovah is the speaker, who summons the sword (Zechariah 11:17) to awake and smite the foolish shepherd (Zechariah 11:15).

My shepherd The foolish shepherd may be called the shepherd of Jehovah, because he was appointed by him. Those who retain the verses in their present position connect the phrase with him of Zechariah 12:10 (see there), but the other interpretation is preferable.

The man that is my fellow The expression of intimacy is not strange, if the foolish shepherd was a high priest (see on Zechariah 11:15), for as such he would stand in a peculiarly close relation to Jehovah (compare Zechariah 3:7); and this would also be true if he was not an ecclesiastical but a civil ruler. The foolish shepherd will be punished because he ill-treated the flock, and the flock will suffer because it rejected the good shepherd (Zechariah 11:4-14).

Shall be scattered Because they will be without a shepherd (compare Nahum 3:18).

I will turn mine hand upon the little ones Better, against; for this is not a promise of help but the continuation of the threat. Little ones refers not to the shepherd boys, but to the lambs; the provocation has been so great that he cannot spare even the young of the flock (compare Isaiah 9:17).

Zechariah 13:8-9 expand the announcement of Zechariah 13:7. In the judgment to come two parts of the flock shall be cut off; only one part shall escape; but even this third part is not ready to enjoy the presence and favor of Jehovah; it needs purification (compare Jeremiah 9:7; Isaiah 6:13).

Fire Since fire is used for the purification of metals, it becomes a symbol of every means of purification, in this case of affliction and judgment (Isaiah 4:4; compare Isaiah 1:25 ff.). The purification accomplished, the purified remnant (see on Amos 5:15) will enjoy closest fellowship with Jehovah.

I will hear them When they pray (compare Psalms 50:15; Psalms 34:15-17). For the rest of the verse see on Hosea 2:23.