Zechariah 11:9
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about God abandoning his people; it's about God declaring that they have already chosen their fate by rejecting his care. The pronouncement "What is to die, let it die" and "What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed" highlights their willful rejection of life and protection, leaving them to the horrific consequences of their own choices.
Zechariah, acting as a shepherd in a symbolic prophecy, has just broken his staff labeled "Beauty," signifying the rejection of God's covenant privileges by the people. This verse marks his decision to abandon them entirely because they have despised him and his care. He declares he will no longer "feed" them, leaving them to face destruction through famine, war, and even cannibalism, a grim foreshadowing of the devastation to come upon Jerusalem.
Have you ever felt completely abandoned by someone you relied on? This verse describes a profound moment of divine withdrawal.
The prophet, acting as a shepherd, declares he will no longer 'feed' or care for the flock. This isn't a casual decision; it's a direct consequence of the flock's rebellion and rejection.
A Shepherd's Duty
A shepherd's role is to protect, nurture, and guide. When that is met with disdain and hatred, the shepherd's responsibility can shift to allowing the consequences of that rejection to unfold.
Divine Withdrawal
This act of ceasing to 'feed' them signifies a withdrawal of divine care and protection. God, in His justice, allows those who persistently reject His guidance to face the full impact of their choices.
The prophet outlines a chilling series of judgments. What do these distinct fates reveal about God's dealing with sin?
The verse lays out three specific outcomes for the rebellious flock, reflecting different facets of judgment:
Death by Natural Causes
'What is to die, let it die.' This can refer to death by famine, pestilence, or simply the natural decay that comes from neglect and lack of care. It’s a passive, yet devastating, form of judgment.
Destruction by the Sword
'What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed.' This points to violent, external destruction, likely through war and the conquering enemy's sword. It's a more active and forceful judgment.
Devouring One Another
'And let those who are left devour the flesh of one another.' This is the most horrific fate, describing internal chaos, civil strife, and societal breakdown where people turn on each other in desperation.
Zechariah's prophecy directly addresses the deep spiritual and national crisis facing Judah, not just in his own time but also pointing toward the ultimate rejection of God's true Shepherd, Jesus, and the catastrophic consequences that followed, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Late 8th - Early 7th century BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Ascendancy
The Neo-Assyrian and later Neo-Babylonian Empires exerted significant influence and control over Judah, leading to periods of tribute and political instability.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a portion of its elite, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This marks a profound national trauma.
c. 520 BC
Post-Exilic Return and Rebuilding
Exiles begin returning to Judah under Persian rule, led by figures like Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest, to rebuild the Temple.
This passage echoes Zechariah's prophecy by describing a similar divine abandonment, where God declares that those destined for death will die by plague or famine, those for the sword will fall by the sword, and those for captivity will be taken captive, highlighting a complete surrender to destruction.
Deuteronomy 28:52-58These verses foreshadow the horrific consequences of disobedience, including the gruesome possibility of a besieged people resorting to cannibalism, directly mirroring the grim fate described in Zechariah for those who remain.
Matthew 27:3-5This passage shows Judas, who betrayed Jesus (the Good Shepherd), in despair casting the silver he received—thirty pieces of silver, the exact 'wages' mentioned in Zechariah 11:12-13—back to the religious leaders before going out and hanging himself, linking the shepherd's rejection to a specific, tragic outcome.
John 8:21Jesus tells the rebellious Jews, 'I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin,' which parallels the abandonment described in Zechariah, where God withdraws his shepherding care, leaving people to perish in their sins.
Isaiah 9:20This verse describes a people so consumed by internal strife that they turn on each other, eating the flesh of their own neighbors, a chilling preview of the societal breakdown and self-destruction foretold in Zechariah's prophecy.
bensonZechariah 11:9: "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."
Zechariah 11:9 . Then said I, will not feed you — I will no longer exercise a tender paternal care over you; that that dieth, let it die — Or rather, the dying let it die; that which has a deadly disease, let it perish by that disease. Or, that which is ready to die, and will not be cured, but hath rejected the s…
barnesZechariah 11:9: "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."
And I said, I will not feed you - God, at last, leaves the rebellious soul or people to itself, as He says by Moses, "Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and will hide My Face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall find them" Deuteron…
The verse isn't just about God abandoning his people; it's about God declaring that they have already chosen their fate by rejecting his care. The pronouncement "What is to die, let it die" and "What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed" highlights their willful rejection of life and protection, leaving them to the horrific consequences of their own choices.
Zechariah, acting as a shepherd in a symbolic prophecy, has just broken his staff labeled "Beauty," signifying the rejection of God's covenant privileges by the people. This verse marks his decision to abandon them entirely because they have despised him and his care. He declares he will no longer "feed" them, leaving them to face destruction through famine, war, and even cannibalism, a grim foreshadowing of the devastation to come upon Jerusalem.
Zechariah, acting as a shepherd in a symbolic prophecy, has just broken his staff labeled "Beauty," signifying the rejection of God's covenant privileges by the people. This verse marks his decision to abandon them entirely because they have despised him and his care. He declares he will no longer "feed" them, leaving them to face destruction through famine, war, and even cannibalism, a grim foreshadowing of the devastation to come upon Jerusalem.
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This prophecy isn't just about ancient Israel; it points to a greater rejection. Who is the ultimate Shepherd, and what was His 'wage'?
The commentaries consistently point to Jesus Christ as the ultimate Shepherd represented by Zechariah. His experience with Israel mirrors this prophetic declaration.
The True Shepherd's Care
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to care for His flock. He offered healing, spiritual nourishment, and the promise of eternal life. However, His love and care were ultimately met with rejection by many.
The 'Wages' of Betrayal
Instead of appreciation, the rejection of the true Shepherd led to His betrayal. The thirty pieces of silver, the price paid for His capture, is a stark contrast to the immense value of His sacrificial love. This small sum, mentioned in the context of Zechariah's prophecy, signifies the world's paltry payment for the ultimate act of love and service.
Judgment for Rejection
Just as Zechariah abandoned the flock after their rejection, Jesus declared that Jerusalem, which rejected Him, would face judgment. The destruction of the city and the subsequent internal strife among the Jewish people during the Roman siege directly echoed the horrific fates described in the prophecy.
c. 450 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah Reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah lead further reforms and rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, addressing spiritual and social decay among the returned community.
c. 400-390 BC— this verse
The Prophet Zechariah's Ministry
Zechariah, a priest and prophet, delivers his oracles, offering messages of hope and judgment to the post-exilic community struggling with faith and identity.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Destruction
Massive rebellion against Roman rule culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, fulfilling prophecies of judgment and scattering.
"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.”" — The verse isn't just about God abandoning his people; it's about God declaring that they have already chosen their fate by rejecting his care. The pronouncement "What is to die, let it die" and "Wh…
