Zechariah 11:15
New International Version
Then the LORD said to me, “Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

New Living Translation
Then the LORD said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd.

English Standard Version
Then the LORD said to me, “Take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Berean Standard Bible
And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

New King James Version
And the LORD said to me, “Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.

New American Standard Bible
And the LORD said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

NASB 1995
The LORD said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

NASB 1977
And the LORD said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Yahweh said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Amplified Bible
The LORD said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment [of a shepherd, but this time] of a foolish shepherd.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD also said to me, “Take the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD also said to me: “Take the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto me, Take unto thee yet again the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

Contemporary English Version
Next, the LORD said to me, "Act like a shepherd again--this time a worthless shepherd.

English Revised Version
And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet again the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the LORD said to me, "Use the equipment of a foolish shepherd again.

Good News Translation
Then the LORD said to me, "Once again act the part of a shepherd, this time a worthless one.

International Standard Version
The LORD told me, "Pick up the tools of a worthless shepherd again,

Majority Standard Bible
And the LORD said to me: ?Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

NET Bible
Again the LORD said to me, "Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD said to me, "Take for yourself yet again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to me, Take to thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to me, “Take for yourself yet again the equipment of a foolish shepherd.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to me, “Again take to yourself the instrument of a foolish shepherd.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto me, 'Again take to thee the instrument of a foolish shepherd.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to me, Yet take to thee the vessels of a foolish shepherd.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said to me: Take to thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord said to me: Still they are to you the equipment of a foolish shepherd.

New American Bible
The LORD said to me: This time take the gear of a foolish shepherd.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the LORD said to me: Take once more the implements of a worthless shepherd.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to me, Take to yourself the clothes of a foolish shepherd.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to me again: ”Take to you a garment of a simple Shepherd
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said unto me: 'Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to me, Take yet to thee shepherd's implements belonging to an unskillful shepherd.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Thirty Pieces of Silver
14Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 15And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 34:2-10
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / 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. ...

Jeremiah 23:1-2
“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.

John 10:12-13
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.

Matthew 23:1-4
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: / “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ...

Isaiah 56:10-12
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / 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!”

Jeremiah 25:34-38
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery. / Flight will evade the shepherds, and escape will elude the leaders of the flock. / Hear the cry of the shepherds, the wailing of the leaders of the flock, for the LORD is destroying their pasture. ...

Ezekiel 13:3-4
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing. / Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

Jeremiah 10:21
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

Ezekiel 22:25-28
The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. ...

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to me, Take to you yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

a foolish.

Isaiah 6:10-12
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed…

Jeremiah 2:26,27
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, …

Lamentations 2:14
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

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Equipment Foolish Implements Instrument Instruments Keeper Once Sheep Shepherd Worthless
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Equipment Foolish Implements Instrument Instruments Keeper Once Sheep Shepherd Worthless
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.














Again the LORD said to me
This phrase indicates a continuation of divine communication, emphasizing the ongoing relationship between God and the prophet Zechariah. The Hebrew root for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, underscoring His sovereignty and authority. Historically, prophets were seen as direct messengers of God, and this phrase reaffirms Zechariah's role as a conduit for divine revelation. The repetition of God's communication suggests persistence in His message, highlighting the importance of what follows.

Take up once more
The command to "take up once more" suggests a return to a previous action or role. In the context of Zechariah, this implies a symbolic act that the prophet is to perform, representing a deeper spiritual truth. The Hebrew verb here can also mean "to assume" or "to carry," indicating a burden or responsibility. This phrase invites reflection on the cyclical nature of God's dealings with His people, where lessons and roles may be revisited to impart wisdom or warning.

the equipment of a foolish shepherd
The "equipment" refers to the tools or instruments associated with shepherding, symbolizing leadership and guidance. In ancient Israel, shepherds were common metaphors for leaders, both secular and spiritual. The term "foolish" in Hebrew can imply not just a lack of wisdom, but moral deficiency or irresponsibility. This phrase is a stark contrast to the ideal shepherd, who is wise and caring. Historically, this could be seen as a critique of the leaders of Israel who failed in their duties, leading the people astray. The "foolish shepherd" serves as a warning against neglectful or self-serving leadership, urging readers to seek wisdom and integrity in those who guide them.

Verses 15-17. - § 10. In retribution for their rejection of the good Shepherd the people are given over to a foolish shepherd, who shall destroy them, but shall himself, in turn, perish miserably. Verse 15. - Take unto thee yet (yet again) the instruments of a foolish shepherd (comp. Hosea 3:1). The prophet, in vision, is directed to do as he had done before (ver. 4, etc,), and enact the part of a shepherd, taking the dress, scrip, and crook, which were appropriate to the character; but this time he was to represent "a foolish," i.e. an evil, shepherd; for sin is constantly denoted by "folly" in the Old Testament; e.g. Job 5:2, 3; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 107:17; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 7:22; Proverbs 14:9, etc. (comp. ver. 17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me:
אֵלָ֑י (’ê·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Take up
קַח־ (qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

once more
ע֣וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

the equipment
כְּלִ֖י (kə·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

of a foolish
אֱוִלִֽי׃ (’ĕ·wi·lî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 196: Silly, foolish, impious

shepherd.
רֹעֶ֥ה (rō·‘eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 11:15 Yahweh said to me Take for yourself (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 11:14
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