Zechariah 11:7
New International Version
So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock.

New Living Translation
So I cared for the flock intended for slaughter—the flock that was oppressed. Then I took two shepherd’s staffs and named one Favor and the other Union.

English Standard Version
So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. And I took two staffs, one I named Favor, the other I named Union. And I tended the sheep.

Berean Standard Bible
So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.

King James Bible
And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

New King James Version
So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.

New American Standard Bible
So I pastured the flock doomed to slaughter, therefore also 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.

NASB 1995
So 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.

NASB 1977
So 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
So I shepherded 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 shepherded the flock.

Amplified Bible
So I [Zechariah] pastured the flock doomed for slaughter, truly [as the name implies] the most miserable of sheep. And I took two [shepherd’s] staffs, the one I called Favor (Grace) and the other I called Union (Bonds); so I pastured the flock.

Christian Standard Bible
So I shepherded the flock intended for slaughter, the oppressed of the flock. I took two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I shepherded the flock intended for slaughter, the afflicted of the flock. I took two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock.

American Standard Version
So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And I fed the thin sheep because of the multitude of sheep, and I took to myself two staffs; the one I called Sweet and the other Agony, and I fed the sheep

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will tend the flock of slaughter in the land of Chanaan: and I will take for myself two rods; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Line; and I will tend the flock.

Contemporary English Version
So I became a shepherd of those sheep doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep dealers. And I gave names to the two sticks I used for tending the sheep: One of them was named "Mercy" and the other "Unity."

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will feed the hock of slaughter for this, O ye poor of the dock. And I took unto me two rods, one I called Beauty, and the other I called a Cord, and I fed the flock.

English Revised Version
So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I became the shepherd of the sheep that were to be slaughtered and also of the oppressed sheep. I took two shepherd staffs and named one Favor and the other Unity. And I took care of the sheep.

Good News Translation
Those who bought and sold the sheep hired me, and I became the shepherd of the sheep that were going to be butchered. I took two sticks: one I called "Favor" and the other "Unity." And I took care of the flock.

International Standard Version
So I became shepherd of the flock marked for slaughter, paying attention to the oppressed of the flock. I took two staffs—naming one "Pleasant" and the other one "Union"—and then I pastured the flock.

JPS Tanakh 1917
So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Graciousness, and the other I called Binders; and I fed the flock.

Literal Standard Version
And I feed the flock of slaughter, even you, you afflicted of the flock; and I take two staffs to myself; I have called one Pleasantness, and I have called the other Bands, and I feed the flock.

Majority Standard Bible
So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.

New American Bible
So I shepherded the flock to be slaughtered for the merchants of the flock. I took two staffs: one I called Delight, and the other Union. Thus I shepherded the flock.

NET Bible
So I began to shepherd the flock destined for slaughter, the most afflicted of all the flock. Then I took two staffs, calling one "Pleasantness" and the other "Binders," and I tended the flock.

New Revised Standard Version
So, on behalf of the sheep merchants, I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. I took two staffs; one I named Favor, the other I named Unity, and I tended the sheep.

New Heart English Bible
So I fed the flock of slaughter, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called "Favor," and the other I called "Union," and I fed the flock.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took to me two staffs; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

World English Bible
So I fed the flock to be slaughtered, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called “Favor” and the other I called “Union”, and I fed the flock.

Young's Literal Translation
And I feed the flock of slaughter, even you, ye afflicted of the flock; and I take to me two staves, the one I have called Pleasantness, and the other I have called Bands, and I feed the flock.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Doomed Flock
6For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” 7So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. 8And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.…

Cross References
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands--yes, establish the work of our hands!

Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony!

Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

Ezekiel 37:16
"And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: 'Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.' Then take another stick and write on it: 'Belonging to Joseph--the stick of Ephraim--and to all the house of Israel associated with him.'

Zephaniah 3:12
But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.

Zechariah 11:4
This is what the LORD my God says: "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter,


Treasury of Scripture

And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took to me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

I will.

Zechariah 11:4,11
Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; …

Zechariah 13:8,9
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein…

even you, O poor.

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Jeremiah 5:4,5
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God…

staves.

Zechariah 11:10,14
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…

Leviticus 27:32
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

1 Samuel 17:40,43
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine…

one.

Psalm 133:1-3
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! …

Ezekiel 37:16-23
Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: …

John 17:21-23
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me…

Bands.

John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Ephesians 2:13-16
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ…

Jump to Previous
Afflicted Bands Beautiful Beauty Binders Care Death Doomed Especially Favor Fed Feed Flock Grace Graciousness Hence Marked Naming Oppressed Particularly Pastured Poor Rods Shepherd Slain Slaughter Staffs Staves Tended Union Verily
Jump to Next
Afflicted Bands Beautiful Beauty Binders Care Death Doomed Especially Favor Fed Feed Flock Grace Graciousness Hence Marked Naming Oppressed Particularly Pastured Poor Rods Shepherd Slain Slaughter Staffs Staves Tended Union Verily
Zechariah 11
1. The destruction of Jerusalem.
3. The elect being cared for, the rest are rejected.
10. The staves of Beauty and Bands broken by the rejection of Christ.
15. The type and curse of a foolish shepherd.














Verse 7. - And I will feed. Thus the Greek and Latin Versions; but it should be, So I fed. It is the account of what the prophet did in accordance with the command in ver. 4 (see the end of this verse, "and I fed"). Even you, O poor of the flock. There is difficulty about the word rendered "you" (lachen) which may be the personal pronoun, or an adverb meaning "therefore," "therewith," "truly," or a preposition, "on account of;" Vulgate, propter hoc. The best rendering is, I fed the flock therefore the poor among the flock. "Therefore" refers to the previous command. It is also rendered "in sooth." The LXX., arranging the letters differently, translates, Ποιμανῶ τὰ πρόβατα τῆς σφαγῆς εἰς τὴν Ξαναανίτιν "I will go and tend the flock of slaughter in the land of Canaan;" some render the last words, "for the merchants." This Jerome interprets to mean that the Lord will nourish the Israelites for slaughter in the land of the Gentiles (but see note on ver. 6). And I took unto me two staves. Executing in vision his commission of feeding the flock, the prophet, as the representative of the Shepherd, took two shepherd's staves. The two staves intimate the manifold care of God for his flock from the earliest days, and the two blessings which he designed to bestow (as the names of the staves show), favour and unity. Beauty; Κάλλος (Septuagint); Decorem (Vulgate); "Graciousness" (Revised Version margin). It probably means the favour and grace of God, as in Psalm 90:17. Bands; literally, Those that bind; Σχοίνισμα, "Cord;" Vulgate, Funiculum. The name is meant to express the union of all the members of the flock, especially that between Israel and Judah (see ver. 14). These make one flock under one shepherd. I fed the flock. This repetition emphasizes the beginning of the verse, and expresses God's ears in time past and in time to come also.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So I pastured
וָֽאֶרְעֶה֙ (wā·’er·‘eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

the flock
צֹ֣אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

marked for slaughter,
הַֽהֲרֵגָ֔ה (ha·hă·rê·ḡāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2028: A slaughter

especially
לָכֵ֖ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the afflicted
עֲנִיֵּ֣י (‘ă·nî·yê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

of the flock.
הַצֹּ֑אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

Then I took
וָאֶקַּֽח־ (wā·’eq·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3947: To take

for myself
לִ֞י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

two
שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

staffs,
מַקְל֗וֹת (maq·lō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4731: A shoot, stick

calling
קָרָ֤אתִי (qā·rā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

one
לְאַחַ֞ד (lə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

Favor
נֹ֙עַם֙ (nō·‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5278: Agreeableness, delight, suitableness, splendor, grace

and the other
וּלְאַחַד֙ (ū·lə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

Union,
חֹֽבְלִ֔ים (ḥō·ḇə·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2256: A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin

and I pastured
וָאֶרְעֶ֖ה (wā·’er·‘eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

the flock.
הַצֹּֽאן׃ (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 11:7 So I fed the flock of slaughter (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 11:6
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