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Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another&#8217s flesh.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/zechariah/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So I told them, “I won’t be your shepherd any longer. If you die, you die. If you are killed, you are killed. And let those who remain devour each other!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/zechariah/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So I said, “I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die. What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. And let those who are left devour the flesh of one another.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/zechariah/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will no longer shepherd you. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish; and let those who remain devour one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/zechariah/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/zechariah/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will not feed you. Let what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/zechariah/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to perish, let it perish; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/zechariah/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then I said, &#8220I 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&#8217s flesh.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/zechariah/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/zechariah/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then I said, “I will not shepherd you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be annihilated, let it be annihilated; and let those who remain consume one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/zechariah/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; and let the survivors devour one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/zechariah/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will no longer shepherd you. Let what is dying die, and let what is perishing perish; let the rest devour each other’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/zechariah/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, &#8220I will no longer shepherd you. Let what is dying die, and let what is going astray go astray; let the rest devour each other&#8217s flesh.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/zechariah/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then said I, I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let them that are left eat every one the flesh of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/zechariah/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then I said, "I refuse to be your shepherd. Let the sheep that are going to die, go on and die, and those that are going to be destroyed, go on and be destroyed. Then let the others eat one another alive." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/zechariah/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let them which are left eat every one the flesh of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/zechariah/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So I said, "I won't be your shepherd. Let those that are dying die. Let those that are missing stay missing. And let those that are left devour each other."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/zechariah/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then I said to the flock, "I will not be your shepherd any longer. Let those die who are to die. Let those be destroyed who are to be destroyed. Those who are left will destroy one another." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/zechariah/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So I said, "I will no longer be your shepherd. Let those who are about to die perish, and let what is about to be destroyed be destroyed. As for the survivors, let them devour each other."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/zechariah/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, ?I will no longer shepherd you. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish; and let those who remain devour one another?s flesh.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/zechariah/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I then said, "I will not shepherd you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to be eradicated, let it be eradicated. As for those who survive, let them eat each other's flesh!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/zechariah/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, "I will not feed you. That which dies, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let those who are left eat each other's flesh."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/zechariah/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said I, I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat, every one the flesh of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/zechariah/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, “I will not feed you. That which dies, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let those who are left eat each other’s flesh.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/zechariah/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I say, “I do not feed you, the dying, let die; and the cut off, let be cut off; and the remaining ones, let each eat the flesh of its neighbor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/zechariah/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I say, 'I do not feed you, the dying, let die; and the cut off, let be cut off; and the remaining ones, let each eat the flesh of its neighbour.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/zechariah/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And saying, I will not feed you: the dying shall die, and the concealed shall be concealed; and they being left shall eat each the flesh of her neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/zechariah/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I said: I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die: and that which is cut off, let it be cut off: and let the rest devour every one the flesh of his neighbour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/zechariah/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I said: I will not pasture you. Whatever dies, let it die. And whatever is cut down, let it be cut down. And let the rest of them devour, each one the flesh of his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/zechariah/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“I will not shepherd you,” I said. “Whoever is to die shall die; whoever is to be done away with shall be done away with; and those who are left shall devour one another’s flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/zechariah/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So I said, “I will not be your shepherd. What is to die, let it die; what is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed; and let those that are left devour the flesh of one another!”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/zechariah/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, I will not feed you; that which dies, let it die; and that which is to be lost, let it be lost; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/zechariah/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I said: ”I shall not feed you so that the dead will die and the lost will be destroyed, and she who remains would eat the flesh of her companions!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/zechariah/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then said I: 'I will not feed you; that which dieth, let it die; and that which is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let them that are left eat every one the flesh of another.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/zechariah/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I said, I will not tend you: that which dies, let it die; and that which falls off, let it fall off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of his neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/zechariah/11-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFPk_KgOyMk?start=1722" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/zechariah/11.htm">The Doomed Flock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wā·’ō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then I said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“I will no longer</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: ’er·‘eh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">shepherd you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ham·mê·ṯāh (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">Let the dying</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ṯā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3582.htm" title="3582: wə·han·niḵ·ḥe·ḏeṯ (Conj-w, Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To hide. A primitive root; to secrete, by act or word; hence to destroy.">and the perishing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3582.htm" title="3582: tik·kā·ḥêḏ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To hide. A primitive root; to secrete, by act or word; hence to destroy.">perish;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7604.htm" title="7604: wə·han·niš·’ā·rō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To remain, be left over. A primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. Be redundant.">and let those who remain</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵal·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">devour</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7468.htm" title="7468: rə·‘ū·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Fellow (woman). From ra'ah in the sense of rea'; a female associate; generally an additional one.">another’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śar (N-msc) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">flesh.”</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-10.htm">Ezekiel 34:10</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11-12</a></span><br />Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: / “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-17.htm">Hosea 4:17</a></span><br />Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-1.htm">Jeremiah 15:1-2</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go! / If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-4.htm">Ezekiel 34:4-5</a></span><br />You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. / They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-14.htm">Jeremiah 13:14</a></span><br />I will smash them against one another, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no mercy or pity or compassion to keep Me from destroying them.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-12.htm">Hosea 9:12</a></span><br />Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Jeremiah 14:10-12</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says about this people: “Truly they love to wander; they have not restrained their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish them for their sins.” / Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. / Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37-38</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dies, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.</p><p class="hdg">I will.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/23-33.htm">Jeremiah 23:33,39</a></b></br> And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What <i>is</i> the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10,11</a></b></br> And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/21-43.htm">Matthew 21:43</a></b></br> Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.</p><p class="hdg">that that dieth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-22.htm">Psalm 69:22-28</a></b></br> Let their table become a snare before them: and <i>that which should have been</i> for <i>their</i> welfare, <i>let it become</i> a trap… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/15-2.htm">Jeremiah 15:2,3</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as <i>are</i> for death, to death; and such as <i>are</i> for the sword, to the sword; and such as <i>are</i> for the famine, to the famine; and such as <i>are</i> for the captivity, to the captivity… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/43-11.htm">Jeremiah 43:11</a></b></br> And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, <i>and deliver</i> such <i>as are</i> for death to death; and such <i>as are</i> for captivity to captivity; and such <i>as are</i> for the sword to the sword.</p><p class="hdg">and let.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-56</a></b></br> And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Isaiah 9:19-21</a></b></br> Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Jeremiah 19:9</a></b></br> And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.</p><p class="hdg">another.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-6.htm">Another's</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Care</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-1.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-31.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/hosea/13-1.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/amos/2-2.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-13.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Left</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-2.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Other's</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-4.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-46.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Perishing</a> <a href="/haggai/2-5.htm">Remaining</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-1.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Shepherd</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-13.htm">Another's</a> <a href="/matthew/4-11.htm">Care</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/matthew/2-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-11.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-6.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-3.htm">Die</a> <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/mark/9-44.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/matthew/8-25.htm">Dying</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/mark/13-2.htm">Left</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-13.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/luke/16-12.htm">Other's</a> <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/mark/2-22.htm">Perisheth</a> <a href="/matthew/8-25.htm">Perishing</a> <a href="/luke/9-17.htm">Remaining</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-14.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Shepherd</a><div class="vheading2">Zechariah 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/11-1.htm">The destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/11-3.htm">The elect being cared for, the rest are rejected.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm">The staves of Beauty and Bands broken by the rejection of Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">The type and curse of a foolish shepherd.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zechariah/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zechariah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/zechariah/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then I said, “I will no longer shepherd you.</b><br>This phrase reflects a turning point in the relationship between God and His people, Israel. The speaker, representing God, declares an end to His protective and guiding role as a shepherd. This imagery of God as a shepherd is prevalent throughout the Bible, notably in <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a> and <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>, where Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd. The decision to cease shepherding indicates a withdrawal of divine protection and guidance due to the people's persistent disobedience and rejection of God's covenant.<p><b>Let the dying die, and the perishing perish;</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the consequences of rejecting God's leadership. The repetition emphasizes the inevitability of judgment and the natural outcome of spiritual rebellion. In the historical context, this can be seen as a reference to the impending destruction and exile that Israel faced due to their unfaithfulness. It echoes the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah, who foretold the consequences of turning away from God.<p><b>and let those who remain devour one another’s flesh.”</b><br>This graphic imagery illustrates the breakdown of societal and moral order when God’s guidance is absent. It can be seen as a metaphor for internal strife and conflict, reminiscent of the curses described in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53</a>, where disobedience leads to dire consequences. Historically, this could allude to the internal conflicts and civil wars that plagued Israel and Judah. Theologically, it serves as a stark warning of the chaos and destruction that follow when a community or nation rejects God’s authority and protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/z/zechariah.htm">Zechariah</a></b><br>A prophet in the post-exilic period who conveyed God's messages to the Israelites, often using symbolic visions and actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Zechariah prophesied, representing God's chosen people who were often rebellious and disobedient.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherd.htm">Shepherd</a></b><br>Symbolically represents leaders or God Himself as the caretaker of His people. In this context, it refers to God's withdrawal of His protective guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dying_and_perishing.htm">The Dying and Perishing</a></b><br>Represents those among the Israelites who are spiritually dead or rebellious, facing the consequences of their actions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/devouring_one_another.htm">Devouring One Another</a></b><br>Symbolizes internal strife and destruction among the people due to the absence of divine guidance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rejection.htm">The Consequences of Rejection</a></b><br>When God's guidance is rejected, people face the natural consequences of their choices, leading to spiritual and communal decay.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Godly leadership is crucial for the well-being of a community. Leaders must reflect God's character and guidance to prevent chaos and destruction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>God's decision to withdraw His shepherding reflects His justice. He allows people to experience the results of their rebellion, yet His ultimate plan includes redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_a_true_shepherd.htm">The Need for a True Shepherd</a></b><br>Humanity's need for a true shepherd is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who offers guidance, protection, and salvation to all who follow Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination_and_repentance.htm">Self-Examination and Repentance</a></b><br>Believers are called to examine their lives for areas of rebellion and turn back to God, seeking His guidance and forgiveness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zechariah_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_11_compare_to_other_prophecies.htm">How do these prophecies in Isaiah 11 compare with other biblical texts that seem to describe different scenarios for the Messiah and end times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_zechariah_11_12-13_messianic.htm">Is Zechariah 11:12-13 a Messianic prophecy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_fulfilled_zechariah_11_15-17_prophecy.htm">Zechariah 11:15-17 describes a 'worthless shepherd'--if this was a genuine prophecy, who historically fulfilled it, and why is there no clear extra-biblical record to confirm it?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_amos_7_11_conflict_with_jeroboam's_end.htm">Amos 7:11 - The text predicts Jeroboam's death by the sword; does this claim conflict with other biblical or extra-biblical accounts regarding Jeroboam's end?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zechariah/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will not feed you.</span> In consequence of their contumacy, the shepherd abandons the flock to their fate, as God threatened (<a href="/deuteronomy/31-17.htm">Deuteronomy 31:17</a>; comp. the very similar passage in <a href="/jeremiah/15-1.htm">Jeremiah 15:1-3</a>). Three scourges are intimated in the succeeding words - plague, war, famine, combined with civil strife. <span class="cmt_word">Eat every one the flesh of another</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Isaiah 9:20</a>). Many see here a reference to the awful scenes enacted when Jerusalem was besieged by the Romans, and intestine feuds filled the city with bloodshed and added to the horrors of famine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/zechariah/11-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then I said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֹמַ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I will no longer</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shepherd you.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרְעֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’er·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Let the dying</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֵּתָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mê·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">die,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמ֗וּת</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the perishing</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַנִּכְחֶ֙דֶת֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·han·niḵ·ḥe·ḏeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3582.htm">Strong's 3582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To secrete, by act, word, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">perish;</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּכָּחֵ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(tik·kā·ḥêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3582.htm">Strong's 3582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To secrete, by act, word, to destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let the rest</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַ֨נִּשְׁאָר֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·han·niš·’ā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7604.htm">Strong's 7604: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swell up, be, redundant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">devour</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאכַ֕לְנָה</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵal·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another's</span><br /><span class="heb">רְעוּתָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rə·‘ū·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7468.htm">Strong's 7468: </a> </span><span class="str2">A female associate, an additional one</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flesh.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשַׂ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/zechariah/11-9.htm">Zechariah 11:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/zechariah/11-9.htm">OT Prophets: Zechariah 11:9 Then I said I will not feed (Zech. Zec Zc) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zechariah 11:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zechariah 11:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zechariah 11:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zechariah 11:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>