King James Version

What Does Zechariah 10:3 Mean?

Zechariah 10:3 in the King James Version says “Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Zechariah 10:3 · 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.

5

And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded. the riders: or, they shall make the riders on horses ashamed


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds (עַל־הָרֹעִים חָרָה אַפִּי)—ro'im (shepherds) represents Judah's failed leaders: kings, priests, prophets who led people into idolatry. God's aph (anger/wrath) burns specifically against those entrusted with spiritual care who betrayed their charge. And I punished the goatsattudim can mean he-goats or leaders, continuing the shepherd metaphor. Ezekiel 34 contains parallel denunciation of selfish shepherds.

For the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah (כִּי־פָקַד יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֶת־עֶדְרוֹ אֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה)—pakad means to visit, attend to, care for (positively) or to punish (negatively). Here it's positive: God intervenes to shepherd His own flock after removing corrupt leaders. And hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle—from helpless sheep to war horses, God transforms His people into powerful instruments. This anticipates Messiah the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who removes false shepherds.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's exile was blamed on corrupt leadership—kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim, false prophets, compromised priests. God's 'visiting' His flock means both judgment on bad shepherds and restoration for the remnant. Post-exilic leadership (Zerubbabel, Joshua the priest) represented new, faithful shepherding.

Reflection Questions

  1. What responsibility do spiritual leaders bear for the welfare or harm of those under their care?
  2. How does Jesus as the Good Shepherd fulfill God's promise to personally 'visit' His flock?
  3. What transformation from 'sheep' to 'war horse' might God want to accomplish in your spiritual life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
עַל1 of 21
H5921

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

הָֽרֹעִים֙2 of 21

against the shepherds

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

חָרָ֣ה3 of 21

was kindled

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַפִּ֔י4 of 21

Mine anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְעַל5 of 21
H5921

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

הָעַתּוּדִ֖ים6 of 21

the goats

H6260

prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people

פָקַד֩7 of 21

and I punished

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

כִּֽי8 of 21
H3588

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

פָקַד֩9 of 21

and I punished

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יְהוָ֨ה10 of 21

for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֤וֹת11 of 21

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֶת12 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶדְרוֹ֙13 of 21

his flock

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

אֶת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּ֣ית15 of 21

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֔ה16 of 21

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְשָׂ֣ם17 of 21

and hath made

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אוֹתָ֔ם18 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּס֥וּס19 of 21

horse

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

הוֹד֖וֹ20 of 21

them as his goodly

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃21 of 21

in the battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)


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 10:3 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 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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