Zechariah 11:1-17

The Parable of the Shepherds

The perplexing nature of the prophecies in this chapter renders exposition difficult, especially as we cannot be sure of the circumstances. Apparently, however, the passage deals with misrule in Jerusalem, either of worthless high priests, or of cruel foreign rulers, or of both, who are spoken of as shepherds: see Intro.

1-3. Another storm of war bursts apparently over northern Israel.

4-14. The people reject their good ruler, and the prophet acts the part of a good shepherd tending the flock and defending it, but is held in contempt by the people.

15-17. The prophet at God's command assumes the garb and insignia of a worthless shepherd, to signify that God will give them into the hand of a cruel and careless ruler. To this most scholars add, as a continuation, Zechariah 13:7. The bad ruler will speedily perish. Twothirds of the people will die, but a remnant will be saved.