What does Zechariah 11:17 mean?
"Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened." - Zechariah 11:17
Zechariah 11:17 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened."
This verse comes at the end of a passage in which the prophet Zechariah uses the metaphor of shepherds and their flocks to describe the relationship between God and His people. Throughout this passage, Zechariah speaks of the responsibility of shepherds to care for their flocks, and the consequences that will come upon shepherds who neglect or mistreat their charges. This particular verse serves as a warning of the judgment that will come upon leaders who fail in their duty to lead and care for God's people.
The themes of this verse are twofold: the consequences of neglecting one's responsibility, and the judgment that will come upon those who fail to fulfill their role as leaders. The context in which this verse appears in the book of Zechariah provides additional insight into these themes.
At the time when Zechariah was writing, the people of Israel were living under the rule of foreign powers, and there was widespread corruption and injustice among the leaders of the nation. The prophet uses the metaphor of shepherds and their flocks to address the failings of these leaders and to warn of the eventual judgment that will come upon them.
The use of the term "idol shepherd" in this verse is significant. In the Bible, idolatry is frequently associated with the worship of false gods and the neglect of the true God. A leader who is described as an "idol shepherd" is one who has turned away from God and is leading his people in a direction that is contrary to God's will. This serves as a warning to any leader who neglects his or her responsibility to lead according to God's purposes.
The imagery of the sword being upon the idol shepherd's arm and right eye is symbolic of the judgment that will come upon him. The arm in this context represents the leader's strength and ability to lead, and the right eye symbolizes his vision and understanding. The drying up of the arm and the darkening of the right eye indicate the loss of these abilities and the resulting inability to lead effectively.
Overall, this verse serves as a warning to leaders, both in the ancient context in which it was written and for leaders in any time. It serves as a reminder of the grave responsibility that comes with leadership, and the need for leaders to faithfully fulfill their duties. It also speaks to the consequences that will come upon those who fail in their leadership and neglect the welfare of those under their care.
In conclusion, Zechariah 11:17 carries a powerful message about the consequences of neglecting one's responsibilities as a leader, and the judgment that will come upon those who fail to lead with integrity and care. The imagery used in this verse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of faithful and conscientious leadership, and the potential consequences of falling short in this regard. This verse continues to be relevant and meaningful for leaders in any time and place.
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Zechariah 11:17 - "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened."
"Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened." - Zechariah 11:17
Zechariah 11:11 - "And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD."
Zechariah 11:4 - "Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
Ezra 8:11 - "And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males."
Zechariah 12:11 - "In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
Zechariah 11:1 - "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars."
Zechariah 8:11 - "But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 11:15 - "¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd."
Zechariah 14:11 - "And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited."
Zechariah 11:3 - "¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."
1 Chronicles 26:11 - "Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen."
Zechariah 6:11 - "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Luke 1:11-12
Zechariah 9:17 - "For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
"And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD." - Zechariah 11:11
Zechariah 8:17 - "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD."
Zechariah 11:14 - "Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel."
Zechariah 9:11 - "As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water."
Zechariah 5:11 - "And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base."
Zechariah 14:17 - "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."
Zechariah 11:8 - "Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me."
Nehemiah 11:5 - "And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni."
2 Chronicles 17:7 - "¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
Zechariah 4:11 - "¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?"
Zechariah 11:2 - "Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down."
Zechariah 11:10 - "¶ And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people."
Zechariah 11:5 - "Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not."
"Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;" - Zechariah 11:4