King James Version

What Does Zechariah 10:2 Mean?

Zechariah 10:2 in the King James Version says “For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: th... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. idols: Heb. teraphims were: or, answered that, etc

Zechariah 10:2 · KJV


Context

1

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. bright: or, lightnings

2

For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. idols: Heb. teraphims were: or, answered that, etc

3

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. punished: Heb. visited upon

4

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the idols have spoken vanity (כִּי הַתְּרָפִים דִּבְּרוּ־אָוֶן)—teraphim were household gods/idols used for divination (Genesis 31:19, Ezekiel 21:21). Aven means emptiness, worthlessness, deception. And the diviners have seen a lie (וְהַקֹּסְמִים חָזוּ שָׁקֶר)—kosem (diviner/soothsayer) was forbidden in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), yet persistently practiced. Their visions are sheker (falsehood), contrasted with true prophetic revelation.

And have told false dreams; they comfort in vain—threefold repetition (vanity, lie, false) hammers home idolatry's impotence. Therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd (עַל־כֵּן נָסְעוּ כְּמוֹ־צֹאן יֵעָנוּ כִּי־אֵין רֹעֶה)—Israel's exile resulted from following false spiritual guides. Jesus applies this shepherd imagery to Himself: "sheep not having a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34). Only Yahweh's true revelation brings genuine guidance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Despite Josiah's reforms (621 BC) removing idols, popular syncretism persisted. Even post-exilic Jews were tempted to hedge bets with pagan practices. Zechariah warns that spiritual confusion and exile result from following false gods and their lying prophets rather than Yahweh's true word.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'idols' speak vanity—things you consult for guidance that compete with God's Word?
  2. How can you discern between false comfort ('comfort in vain') and true biblical encouragement?
  3. In what ways does following false teaching leave people 'as a flock without a shepherd' even today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּ֧י1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַתְּרָפִ֣ים2 of 21

For the idols

H8655

teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol

יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ3 of 21

and have told

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אָ֗וֶן4 of 21

vanity

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

וְהַקּֽוֹסְמִים֙5 of 21

and the diviners

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

חָ֣זוּ6 of 21

have seen

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

שֶׁ֔קֶר7 of 21

a lie

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

וַֽחֲלֹמוֹת֙8 of 21

dreams

H2472

a dream

הַשָּׁ֣וא9 of 21

false

H7723

evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object

יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ10 of 21

and have told

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

הֶ֖בֶל11 of 21

in vain

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

יְנַֽחֵמ֑וּן12 of 21

they comfort

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

עַל13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּן֙14 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

נָסְע֣וּ15 of 21

therefore they went

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

כְמוֹ16 of 21
H3644

as, thus, so

צֹ֔אן17 of 21

their way as a flock

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

יַעֲנ֖וּ18 of 21

they were troubled

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

כִּֽי19 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֥ין20 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

רֹעֶֽה׃21 of 21

because there was no shepherd

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 10:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 10:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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