What does Zechariah 13:7 mean?
"¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." - Zechariah 13:7
In Zechariah 13:7 in the King James Version of the Bible, it states, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."
This verse is rich in symbolism and prophecy, and it holds deep meaning for Christians. It is a part of the broader prophetic message of Zechariah, a minor prophet in the Old Testament. The verse speaks of a shepherd being struck and the scattering of the sheep, which has parallels to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
One of the central themes in this verse is that of sacrifice and redemption. The shepherd mentioned here is understood to be a reference to Jesus, who is often referred to as the Good Shepherd in the New Testament. In John 10:11, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." This verse in Zechariah is a foreshadowing of Christ's crucifixion, where he was struck down for the sins of humanity, and his sheep (the believers) were scattered.
The idea of the shepherd being struck down relates to the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. This verse emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death and the role it plays in the redemption of humanity. It echoes the suffering servant motif found in Isaiah 53, where it is prophesied that the Messiah will suffer and die for the sins of the people.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's plan. The phrase "saith the LORD of hosts" emphasizes the authority and power of God. It suggests that the events described in the verse are not a random occurrence but are part of God's divine plan for salvation. The scattering of the sheep after the shepherd is struck reflects the confusion and fear that the disciples experienced after Jesus' crucifixion, but ultimately, it leads to the fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose through Christ's resurrection.
The verse also speaks to the idea of the remnant and the care that God has for His people. After the scattering of the sheep, God promises to turn His hand upon the little ones. This suggests that despite the turmoil and hardship, God will not abandon His people but will continue to watch over and protect them. This reflects God's faithfulness and love for His people, even in the midst of suffering.
In the broader context of the book of Zechariah, this verse is part of a series of prophecies regarding the future restoration and redemption of Israel. The scattering of the sheep can be seen as a metaphor for the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout history, and the promise of God turning His hand upon the little ones speaks to the eventual gathering and restoration of His chosen people.
Symbolically, the sword mentioned in the verse represents divine judgment and the consequences of sin. It is a force that brings about the suffering and death of the shepherd, but it also ultimately paves the way for redemption and restoration. The imagery of the shepherd and the sheep illustrates the relationship between Christ and His followers, emphasizing His role as the sacrificial savior and the shepherd who cares for His flock.
In conclusion, Zechariah 13:7 is a powerful and prophetic verse that speaks to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the divine sovereignty of God. It reveals the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death, His care for His people, and the eventual restoration of the remnant. This verse points to the central message of the Christian faith – the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and love for His people.
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Zechariah 13:7
Zechariah 13:7 - "¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."
"¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." - Zechariah 13:7
Zechariah 7:13 - "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:"
Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8
Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"
"Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:" - Zechariah 7:13
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
Zechariah 1:13 - "And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words."
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 13:1 - "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."
Zechariah 4:13 - "And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 12:13 - "The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;"
Zechariah 2:13 - "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Zechariah 7:2 - "When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,"
Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"
Zechariah 7:7 - "Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?"
Zechariah 7:9 - "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:"
Zechariah 13:5 - "But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth."
Luke 1:13
Zechariah 8:7 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;"