rd

Zechariah 11

1 The destruction of the Temple 4 The care of the faithful is committed to Christ. 7 A grievous vision against Jerusalém and
1.Open thy doors, ô aLebanón, and the fire shal devour thy cedars.
2.Houle, bfyrre trees: for the cedar is fallen, because all the mighty are destroyed: houle ye, ô oaks of Bashán, for the cdefensed forest is cut down.
3.There is the voice of the howling of the shepherds: for their dglory is destroyed: the voice of the roaring of lyon’s whelpes: for the pride of Jordén is destroyed.
4.Thus saith the Lord my God, Feed the sheep of the eslaughter.
5.They that possess them, slay them fand sin not: and they that fell them, say, gBlessed be the Lord: for I am rich, and their own shepherds spare them not.
6.Surely I will no more spare those that dwell in the land, saith the Lord: but lo, hI will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his iKing: and they shal smite the land, and out of their hands I wil not deliver them.
7.For I fed the sheep of slaughter, even the kpoor of the flock, and I took unto me ltwo staves: the one I called, Beautie, and the other I called, Bands, and I fed the sheep.
8.mThree shepherds also I cut off in one month, and my soul loathed nthem, and their soul abhorred me.
9.Then said I, I wil not feed you: that that dyeth, let it die: and that that perisheth, let it perish: and let the remnant eat, every one the flesh of his neighbour.
10.And I took my staff, even Beautie, and brake it, that I might disannul my covenant, which I had made with all people.
11.And it was broken in that day: and so the opoor of the sheep that waited upon me, knew that it was the word of the Lord.
12.And I said unto them, If ye think it good, give me pmy wages: and if no, leave off: so they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
13.And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the qpotter: a goodly price, that I was valued at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the House of the Lord.
14.Then brake I mine other staff, even the Bands, that I might dissolve the brotherhood between Judáh and Israél.
15.And the Lord said unto me, Take to thee yet rthe instruments of a foolish shepherd.
16.For lo, I wil raise up a shepherd in the land, which shal not look for the thing, that is lost, nor seek the tender lambs, nor heal that that is hurt, nor feed them that sstandeth up: but he shal eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
17.O idle shepherd that leaveth the flock: the sword shalbe upon his tarm, and upon his right eye. His arm shalbe clean dryed up, and his right eye shal be utterly darkened.

Notes

1-a.
Because the Jews thought themselves, so strong by reason of this mountain, that no enemy could come to hurt them, the Prophet shows that when God sends the enemies, it shall show itself ready to receive them.
2-b.
Showing that if the strong men were destroyed, the weaker were not able to resist.
2-c.
Seeing that Lebanon was destroyed, which was the strongest munition, the weaker places could not think to hold out.
3-d.
That is, the renown of Judah and Israel should perish.
4-e.
Which being now destinate to be slain, were delivered as out of the lion’s mouth.
5-f.
Their governors destroy them without any remorse of conscience, or yet thinking that they do evil.
5-g.
He notes the hypocrites, which ever have the Name of God in their mouths, though in their life and doings they deny God, attributing their gain to God’s blessing, which comes of the spoil of their brethren.
6-h.
I will cause one to destroy another.
6-i.
Their governors shall execute cruelty over them.
7-k.
That is, the small remnant, whom he thought worthy to show mercy unto.
7-l.
God shows his great benefits toward his people to convince them of greater ingratitude, which would neither be ruled by his most beautiful order of government, neither continue in the bands of brotherly unity, and therefore he breaks both the one and the other. Some read, for Bands, Destroyers, but in the 14 verse the first reading in confirmed.
8-m.
Whereby he shows his care and diligence that he would suffer them to have no evil rulers, because they should consider his great love.
8-n.
Meaning the people, because they would not acknowledge these great benefits of God.
11-o.
He shows that the least part ever profit by God’s judgements.
12-p.
Besides their ingratitude God accuses them of malice, and wickedness, which did not only forget his benefits, but esteemed them as things of nought.
13-q.
Showing that it was too little to pay his wages, which could scarce suffice to make a few tiles for to cover the Temple.
15-r.
Signifying, that they should have a certain kind of regiment, and outward show of government: but in effect it should be nothing: for they should be wolves, and devouring beasts instead of shepherds.
16-s.
And is in health and sound.
17-t.
By the arm he signifies strength, as he does wisdom and judgement by the eye: that is, the plague of God shall take away both your strength and judgement.