Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
Parallel translations
- WEB I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.
- BSB And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.
- NKJV I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
- NASB Then I did away with the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was tired of me.
- NLT I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month. But I became impatient with these sheep, and they hated me, too.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The shepherd removes three shepherds in one month, but mutual loathing develops between him and the flock. It matters because it shows the breakdown of relationship between God's Shepherd and a people who reject Him.
Overview
The 'three shepherds' cut off in a single month are debated—possibly specific corrupt leaders, classes of leadership (kings, priests, prophets), or a general sweeping away of false rulers. Whatever the precise reference, the key turn is the mutual aversion: the Shepherd grows weary of the flock and they loathe Him. This estrangement foreshadows Israel's rejection of the Messiah, who came to His own and was not received (John 1:11).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- John 15:18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
- John 7:7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
- Isa 49:7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
- Matt 23:34–36Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
- John 15:23–25He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
- Hos 5:7They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
- Luke 19:14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
- Jer 12:8Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
- Heb 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
- Deut 32:19And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
- Ps 106:40Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
- Lev 26:11And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
- Jer 14:21Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
- Hos 9:15All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
- Matt 24:50–51The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
- Lev 26:30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
- Lev 26:44And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God.
- Luke 12:50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
- Ps 5:5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
- Ps 78:9The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
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Christ at the center
The Branch who is both priest and king, the shepherd struck and the flock scattered, the king coming humble on a donkey, the one they pierced, the fountain opened for sin — Zechariah is dense with Christ.
How Zechariah 11:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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