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ZECHARIAH 11

Old Testament Studies
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PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Doomed Flock Desolation of Israel The Fall of the Tyrants The Fall of the Tyrants A Taunt Against Enemies
11:1-3
    (1-3)		 11:1-3
    (1-3)		 11:1-3
    (1-3)		 11:1-3
    (1-3)		 11:1-3
    (1-3)
  Prophecy of the Shepherds The Two Shepherds The Two Shepherds The Two Shepherds
11:4-6 11:4-6 11:4-6 11:4-5 11:4-6
      11:6  
11:7-14 11:7-14 11:7-14 11:7-12 11:7-14
      11:13-14  
11:15-17 11:15-16 11:15-16 11:15-17 11:15-16
    (17)  11:17
    (17)		 11:17
    (17)		   11:17
    (17)

READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.

TEXTUAL INSIGHTS

  1. This chapter, as others in this section (Zechariah 9-14), is very difficult to interpret because
    of the ambiguity of the historical setting and the literary genre.

     

  2. Each of these chapters contains material used in the Gospels to describe the life of Jesus. However,
    the original setting can be

     

    1. pre-exilic
    2. post-exilic
    3. interbiblical
    4. Jesus’ day
    5. eschatological

     

    Possibly the ambiguity is purposeful to allow the prophecy to show God’s
    faithfulness and His people’s faithlessness throughout history. If victory comes it will come
    from YHWH’s gracious character and redemptive purpose brought about through a wounded shepherd
    (the Messiah, cf. chapters 12 and 13).

  3. The context of chapter 11 is obviously the rejection of a godly leader and his replacement by
    wicked leadership. Jesus saw Himself as both the wounded Shepherd (cf. Mark 8:32-33; 9:32-34;
    10:35-37) and the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10).

     

  4. Zechariah 11:1-3 is in poetic form (as is Zech. 11:17, JPSOA). Some see it relating to chapter 10
    concerning the judgment of the surrounding nations (which is also in poetic form,
    i.e., Zech. 11:2-12), while others relate it to chapter 11 and the appropriate judgment on God’s
    people.

     

  5. Some possible theories about the historical setting of Zech. 11:8.
    1. early date, Targums ‒ Moses, Aaron, Miriam
    2. pre-exilic, last three kings of Judah ‒ Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah
    3. post-exilic
    4. interbiblical
      1. three high priests of Seleucid period ‒ Jason, Menelaus, Lysimachus
      2. three kings of Seleucid empire ‒ Seleucus IV, Heliodorus, Demetrius
      3. Jesus’ day (A.D. 70), Jewish conspirators in the Temple during
        Jewish revolt ‒ Eleazar, John, Simon
    5. after Jesus’ day, Roman Caesars
    6. end-time? (possibly related to Antichrist in Dan. 7:8)
    7. in context these are possibly the three types of leaders: prophets, priests, and civil
      leaders/kings

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 11:1-3
 1Open your doors, O Lebanon,
 That a fire may feed on your cedars.
 2Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen,
 Because the glorious trees have been destroyed;
 Wail, O oaks of Bashan,
 For the impenetrable forest has come down.
 3There is a sound of the shepherds’ wail,
 For their glory is ruined;
 There is a sound of the young lions’ roar,
 For the pride of the Jordan is ruined.

11:1 “Open your doors” This (BDB 834 I, KB 986) is a Qal IMPERATIVE (i.e., submit
to be taken over). Zechariah 11:1-3 forms a literary unit. This poem could relate to

  1. chapters 9 and 10, the judgment of God on the surrounding nations
  2. the rest of chapter 11, the judgment of God on His own people

This idiomatic phrase (cf. Isa. 45:1) is a way of personifying the nation of Phoenicia
(cf. Zech. 9:3-4). It depicts the military defeat of Phoenicia (Lebanon).

▣ “Lebanon” Lebanon was proverbial for its wealth and power. This poem uses the analogies of
certain well-known trees (cedars, cypress, and oak) and their destruction to describe the judgment of God,

▣ “a fire may feed on your cedars” The VERB (BDB 37, KB 46) is a Qal
IMPERFECT used as a JUSSIVE. This is either an emphasis on God’s judgment or
an invasion from the north (possibly by YHWH, cf. chapter 9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE

11:2 “Wail” There are two Hiphil IMPERATIVES (Zech. 11:2a,c). This term
(BDB 410, KB 413) is used for God’s judgment on God’s people (cf. Hos. 7:14; Micah 1:8; Zeph. 1:11) and
for God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (cf. Isa. 13:6; 16:7; 23:1,6,14; 52:5; Jer. 48:39; 49:3).

▣ “cypress” The tree (BDB 141) may be a juniper, which was the major source of lumber in
Lebanon. It was an evergreen used in the temple.

  1. floors, 1 Kgs. 6:15
  2. doors, 1 Kgs. 6:34
  3. panels for the hall, 2 Chr. 3:5
▣
NASB, TEV   ”the glorious trees have been destroyed”
NKJV   ”the mighty trees are ruined”
NRSV   ”the glorious trees are ruined”
NJB   ”the majestic ones have been revaged”
REB, JPSOA   ”the mighty trees are ravaged”
LXX   ”because nobles have greatly suffered misery”
Peshitta   ”the mighty are plundered”

The NOUN (BDB 12) means “glory” or “magnificence.” It is also used in
Zech. 11:13 in a sarcastic sense. Here it may refer to leaders, symbolized as mighty, beautiful trees.

The VERB (BDB 994, KB 1418, Pual PERFECT) means “to
despoil,” “devastate,” or “ruin.” It can refer to

  1. cities, Isa. 15:1; 23:1; Jer. 48:1; 49:3
  2. nations, Jer. 4:20; 9:18; 48:15,20
  3. houses, Jer. 4:20; 10:20
  4. trees, Zech. 11:2

▣ “O oaks of Bashan” Bashan, in the transJordan area, part of Gilead (cf. Zech. 10:10), was
mostly a pasture land, but it was dotted with groups of beautiful trees. Its name (BDB 143) means “smooth”
(i.e., fertile) land.

▣
NASB, NJB, REB   ”impenetrable forest”
NKJV, NRSV, LXX   ”thick forest”
TEV   ”dense forest”
JPSOA   ”stately forest”
Peshitta   ”mighty forest”

The MT has “vintage” (BDB 131, KB 147 I). BDB suggests it is an agricultural simile similar
to Lev. 26:5; Isa. 24:13; 32:10; Jer. 48:32; Micah 7:1.

However, “vintage” (בציר, DSS) is similar to

  1. fortress ‒ בצרין (cf. Zech. 9:12)
  2. inaccessible ‒ בצר (BDB 130, KB 147 II, and suggests it means “fortifying”)

The destruction of a forest is used to symbolize the fall of nations and governments.

11:3 “shepherds’ wail” The metaphor has changed from a burning gate and a cut down forest to a
shepherd’s weeping over the loss of a pasture land. The metaphor will change again in the last of Zech. 11:3
to young lions’ roaring because their natural habitat (i.e., “pride”) is destroyed. Possibly this poem is
an allusion to Jer. 25:34-38.

▣ “the pride of the Jordan is ruined” This refers to the flood plain of the Jordan, which was
a dense undergrowth (cf. Jer. 12:5; 49:19; 50:49), but is now destroyed and, therefore, no hiding place
for the lions.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 11:4-6
 4Thus says the Lord my God, “Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter. 5Those who buy them slay them and go unpunished, and each of those who sell them says, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich!’ And their own shepherds have no pity on them. 6For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord; “but behold, I will cause the men to fall, each into another’s power and into the power of his king; and they will strike the land, and I will not deliver them from their power.”

11:4-14 This section deals with two kinds of shepherds (i.e., leaders), the coming of a godly ruler
who is rejected and replaced by wicked rulers (cf. Zech. 11:4-6 and 15-17). Zechariah 11:7-14 refer to the
good shepherd, the Messiah (YHWH’s personal representative). Jesus picked up on this theme in His discourse
on He, Himself being the Good Shepherd in John 10.

11:4 “Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter” “Pasture” (BDB 944 I, KB 1258). This is a Qal
PARTICIPLE (i.e., “shepherd”). “The flock” seems to refer to God’s people (cf. Zech. 11:6;
Ps. 44:22; Jer. 12:1-3). This phrase does not imply that these are faithful to YHWH, but that they are
exploited by their own leaders or foreigners (same ambiguity as Zech. 10:3a-b).

11:5 “Those who buy them slay them” A Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE (BDB 888, KB 1111)
is followed by a Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 246, KB 255). This is the allusion of the new
owners of the sheep who use them for food (not wool). This may typify careless and uncompassionate acts
of merchants or governmental leaders (cf. Zech. 10:3).

▣ “Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich” This seems to be a
sarcastic comment by Jewish leaders praising God for their ill-gotten gain from the exploitation of the
poor and under privileged. Deuteronomy 27-29 was often interpreted in such a way that wealth equaled God’s
blessing!

SPECIAL TOPIC: WEALTH

▣ “their own shepherds have no pity on them” Here shepherds means leaders. That which
characterizes God (compassion) does not characterize these Jewish leaders.

11:6 “For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of the land” This language is similar to
Hosea 1:6-9; 2:1-23. Hosea was told to live his life (i.e., marry a prostitute) in order to model YHWH’s
love for faithless Israel. Zechariah, or the future Messiah, is also modeling YHWH’s attitudes! The Jewish
leaders were to model God’s leadership.

▣ “I will cause” Notice another characteristic of apocalyptic literature is the “God is totally
sovereign” motif (“I will” three times).

SPECIAL TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC
LITERATURE

▣
NASB   ”each into another’s power”
NKJV, Peshitta   ”everyone into his neighbor’s hand”
NRSV, LXX   ”each into the hand of a neighbor”
REB   ”everyone into the power of his shpeherd”
JPSOA   ”every man at the mercy of every other man”

The MT has “each man into the hand of his friend.” The Hebrew root has several possibilities.

  1. friend (MT) ‒ רעהו, BDB 945 II
  2. shepherd (REB) ‒ מרעית, BDB 945
  3. friend/neighbor ‒ רעה, BDB 946

The Rotherham Emphasized Bible, p. 909, c., says “merely changing the vowels, the Heb. may be rendered
‘his shepherd.'” If so, then “shepherd” would be paralled to “king.”

SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 11:7-14
 7So I pastured the flock doomed to slaughter, hence the afflicted of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Favor and the other I called Union; so I pastured the flock. 8Then I annihilated the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was weary of me. 9Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be annihilated, let it be annihilated; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.” 10I took my staff Favor and cut it in pieces, to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples. 11So it was broken on that day, and thus the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized that it was the word of the Lord. 12I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. 13Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord. 14Then I cut in pieces my second staff Union, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

11:7 “I” The “I” of Zech. 11:6 (as Zech. 11:16) referred to YHWH, so too, Zech. 11:7-11, 12-14. It
is possible that Zechariah speaks and acts for YHWH or that the Messiah speaks and acts for YHWH. The NIV
footnote says, “Zechariah, as a type (foreshadowing) of the Messianic Shepherd-King” (p. 1418). This is
the fluidity in apocalyptic prophecy, which makes it so difficult to be specific.

▣
NASB   ”the afflicted of the flock”
NKJV   ”in particular the poor of the flock”
NRSV   ”so on behalf of the sheep merchants”
TEV   ”those who bought and sold sheep hired me”
NJB   ”belonging to the sheep-dealers”
REB   ”by the dealers”
JPSOA   ”for those poor men of the sheep”
LXX   ”in Canaanites”

The ADJECTIVE (BDB 776) can mean “afflicted,” “poor,” or “humble.” It is
often used of the faithful being persecuted by wicked Jews or pagan nations (cf. Isa. 14:32; 51:21; 54:11;
Hab. 3:14; Zeph. 3:12-13).

It is obvious, however, that the NRSV, TEV, REB, and NJB are following the Septuagint’s
understanding of combining the terms (BDB 485 and 776) into one Hebrew word “merchants” (i.e., Canaanite,
BDB 488 I, cf. 14:21). The UBS Text Project, p. 417, gives this possibility a “C” rating (considerable doubt).

▣ “And I took for my two staffs. . .Favor. . .Union” From Ps. 23:4 we learn that shepherds
usually carry one large, crooked-necked staff to control the sheep, and one war club in their belt to fight
off predators. Here, the shepherd obviously carried two large, crooked-necked staffs (BDB 596). One is
called “pleasantness” (BDB 653), while the other one is called “union” or “binding cords” (BDB 287). These
staffs stand for God’s attempt to reunite Israel and Judah (cf. Zech. 11:14; 9:13; 10:6).

11:8 “I annihilated the three shepherds in one month” The term “annihilate” (BDB 470, KB 469,
Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw) means “to totally destroy” (cf. Exod. 23:23;
1 Kgs. 13:34; 2 Chr. 32:21; Ps. 83:4). The Niphal is used in Zech. 11:9 and 16 with the same meaning.
The UBS, Handbook, says it can mean “deposed” or “dismissed,” as well as “disposed of” (p. 291).

There are over forty current theories as to the historical application of this verse, none
of which literally occur in one month. The commentator’s presupposition is often superimposed on this chapter
to find an allusion to history. See the Contextual Insights at the beginning of this chapter for the current
theories. Interpreters must remember this is apocalyptic language, not historical narrative. See D. Brent
Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.

▣ “for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul was weary of me” There are several
theories about the PRONOUN’S antecedents. This shows the attitude of the godly shepherd
(i.e., “impatient” BDB 894, KB 1126, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Num. 21:4;
Jdgs. 10:26; Job 21:4) because of the rebellious attitude of the people (i.e., the sheep of Zech. 11:9;
“weary” BDB 103, KB 119, Qal PERFECT may mean

  1. “nauseated,” “loathed” (but there are no cognates)
  2. this shows the godly shepherd’s attitude toward the three shepherds (NRSV)
  3. this shows the godly shepherd’s attitude toward the sheep merchants (cf. Zech. 11:7,11)

For “soul” (nephesh) see note at Ezek. 18:4 online.

11:9 “I will not pasture you” Most English translations see the “you” as referring to the sheep.
However, the UBS, Handbook, points out that the PRONOUN is MASCULINE,
not FEMININE (pp. 292-293). It can mean “pasture for you,” which would make it refer to the
“sheep merchants” of Zech. 11:7,11.

▣ “What is to die, let it die” The first VERB (BDB 559, KB 562) is Qal
ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, FEMININE, SINGULAR and obviously refers to the sheep. The second is a
Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. The sheep are going to die. Their
sins have found them out (similar to Rom. 1:24,26,28).

▣ “eat one another’s flesh” This (BDB 37, KB 46) is another Qal IMPERFECT
used in a JUSSIVE sense. It does not reflect God’s view on cannibalism, but it develops the
metaphor from Zech. 11:4-5. This is part of the “sheep” and “slay” terminology.

11:10 “my staff. . .Favor. . .to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples” The symbolic
destruction of the staff “Favor” shows God’s attitude toward:

  1. the Jewish people (Qal IMPERFECT)
  2. the Jews of the Diaspora
  3. that His attitude toward Gentile nations had changed

The VERB “break” (BDB 154, KB 180) has a violent connotation (cf. Isa. 10:33)
of something being “cut off” or “sawed off.” It is used in the Piel for the destruction of Canaanite
fertility objects (cf. Deut. 7:5; 12:3; 2 Chr. 14:3; 31:1; 34:4,7). See
SPECIAL
TOPIC: ISRAEL’S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP

The very concept of YHWH breaking His eternal covenant (cf. Isa. 24:5) with the descendants
of Abraham was shocking, but notice Jer. 14:21 and Ezek. 16:59.

The phrase “all the people” (CONSTRUCT BDB 481 plus 766 I) seems to imply
the universal element (cf. Zech. 8:20-23; 9:7).

11:11 “So it was broken on that day” The real interpretive question is does this refer to

  1. the past acts of YHWH
  2. the future acts of the Messiah
  3. a typology of God’s leaders?

This refers to the staff “Favor,” but it also refers to the breaking (BDB 830 I, KB 974,
Hophal IMPERFECT with waw) of God’s covenant, either with the surrounding nations
or with the Jewish people. This is shocking! The faithful God knowingly turns from His promises and covenant
(cf. Jdgs. 2:1) because of the people’s continued unfaithfulness (cf. Jer. 14:19-22). The Mosaic covenant
was conditional (cf. Lev. 26:40-45)!

▣ “the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized it was the word of the
Lord“ The “afflicted of the flock” refers to the sheep merchants (cf. NRSV,
TEV, NJB). See full note at Zech. 11:7. The good shepherd’s actions were recognized as being directed by
YHWH. God was actively involved in this process of judging:

  1. the sheep
  2. the three shepherds
  3. the sheep merchants

11:12 “give me my wages” This refers to the prophet asking (BDB 396, KB 393, Qal
IMPERATIVE) for payment for his services (i.e., “wages,” BDB 969 I) from the owners of
the flock. This verse is used in Matt. 26:15 to refer to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus to the High
Priests.

▣ “weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages” The term “shekels” is in italics,
which means that it is not in the original text. In the Mosaic legislation this was the price of a gored
slave (cf. Exod. 21:32).  This is used of typological prophecy of Judas in Matt. 26:15; 27:9,10.

This is used as typological prophecy of Judas in Matt. 26:15; 27:9,10.

SPECIAL TOPIC: TYPOLOGY

11:13 “the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter'” The
VERB “throw” (BDB 1020, KB 1527) is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE. There have
been several textual emendations to explain “potter” (BDB 428):

  1. the Septuagint has the term “furnace smelter” (cf. 2 Kgs. 12:10; 22:9)
  2. the Peshitta (REB, JPSOA, NEB, RSV) has the term “treasury”
  3. the Vulgate has the term “sculptor”
  4. the Masoretic text has the term “potter” (i.e., shaper)

Some believe that it refers to Levites who made the vessels used by the priests, and therefore,
a potter’s shop was located in the temple. Others say that it is a Hebrew idiom for “that which is worthless
and needs to be remade.”

▣ “that magnificent price at which I was valued by them” This refers either to irony at
their lack of understanding of the value of the Messiah or it is an allusion for the high price
(CONSTRUCT BDB 12 and 429, KB 431) to be paid for human life, even that of a slave
(cf. Exod. 21:32; Lev. 27:2-3). It is uncertain which of these opposing views was in Zechariah’s mind, but
the first fits the context best.

▣
NASB, NKJV, NET   ”to the potter”
NRSV, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta   ”into the treasury”
TEV   ”in the Temple treasury”
NJB, LXX   ”to the smelter”

The MT has “to the potter” (BDB 427, KB 428, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE,
lit. “fashioner”), which could refer to clay or metal.

  1. potter/smelter ‒ היוצר
  2. treasury ‒ האוצר

The UBS Text Project, p. 418, gives “potter” a “B” rating (some doubt). It also suggests the
word be understood as “smith” or “one who casts metal” (NJB, LXX).

In the NT it refers to Judas throwing his ill-gotten treason money back into the priests’
possession (cf. Matt. 27:3-5). They saw it as blood money and could not accept it back into the temple’s
treasury, so they bought a worn out potter’s field in which to bury strangers in (cf. Matt. 27:6-10).

11:14 “I cut in pieces my second staff, Union, in pieces, to break the brotherhood between Judah and
Israel” In chapters nine and ten there is an emphasis on the restoration of the people of God, but here,
old scars are reopened and the union disappears! The footnote in the JB suggests this might refer to the
Samaritan schism in 328 B.C.. in which they built a rival temple on Mt. Gerizin (p. 1541).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 11:15-17
 15 The Lord said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.
 17Woe to the worthless shepherd
 Who leaves the flock!
 A sword will be on his arm
 And on his right eye!
 His arm will be totally withered
 And his right eye will be blind.”

11:15-17 This may be Zechariah play acting the wicked shepherd, as he did the good shepherd
(cf. Zech. 11:4).

11:15
NASB   ”equipment”
NKJV, NRSV, LXX   ”implements”
TEV   ”act the part of”
NJB, JPSOA   ”the gear”
Peshitta   ”clothes”

This term (BDB 479) is very general and refers to the items of a trade. The TEV gets
it translation from “take again” (BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE and the
PREPOSITION, 728, “repeat,” “return,” or “do again”), which starts the verse and implies
a previous role playing (i.e., good shepherd, Zech. 11:7).

▣
NASB, NKJV, JPSOA, Peshitta   ”foolish”
NRSV, TEV   ”worthless”
NJB   ”good-for-nothing”
REB   ”a worthless one”
LXX   ”inexperienced”

This Hebrew ADJECTIVE (BDB 17) is used often in Proverbs of someone who
despises wisdom (i.e., a fool). It is used of prophets in Ezek. 13:3,10 and Hosea 9:7 and of God’s people
in Jer. 4:22.

11:16 This verse expresses in a negative way (cf. Ezek. 34:1-4) the very attributes of YHWH and His
Messiah (cf. Ezek. 34:11-16,23). This may be the reality of Zech. 11:9.

11:17 “Woe” Less emphatic than (BDB 17) this word (BDB 222) usually introduces a pronouncement of
judgment in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Habukkuk. It is often translated “Ah” or “Alas.”

Many English translations print Zech. 11:17 as poetry (NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB).

▣ “Who leaves the flock” This was a major failure for the profession of shepherd. To leave
the sheep left them open to attack and theft. Jesus picks up on this very point in John 10:7-18
(esp. John 10:10,12).

▣ “A sword will be on his arm” This is idiomatic language for effectiveness in leadership
and influence.

▣ “His arm will be totally withered” This is an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and
IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 386, KB384) which intensifies the meaning.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are
responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You,
the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this
section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

  1. What does the poem of Zech. 11:1-3 refer to?
  2. What three different metaphors are used in this poem?
  3. Explain the different theories of Zech. 11:8. Which one do you think is best and why?
  4. What is so shocking about Zech. 11:8b and 9?
  5. How does Zech. 11:12 relate to its own day and to NT usage?
  6. Why is this chapter so difficult to interpret in history?

 

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