King James Version

What Does Zechariah 11:12 Mean?

Zechariah 11:12 in the King James Version says “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty piece...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. If ye: Heb. If it be good in your eyes”

Zechariah 11:12 · KJV

Context

10

And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.

11

And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. so: or, the poor of the flock, etc. certainly knew

12

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. If ye: Heb. If it be good in your eyes

13

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised 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 I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. Bands: or, Binders

Read Zechariah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Prophetic symbol of Messiah's betrayal: 'And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.' The shepherd-prophet asks for wages; they pay thirty shekels—Exodus 21:32's price for a slave killed by an ox. This insultingly low valuation of God's shepherd becomes prophecy of Judas betraying Jesus for thirty silver pieces (Matthew 26:15, 27:9-10). Verse 13's ironic command—'Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them'—was fulfilled when Judas threw the silver into the temple and priests bought potter's field (Matthew 27:5-7). This demonstrates Scripture's prophetic precision: specific details fulfilled centuries later. Israel's rejection and contemptuous undervaluing of God's Shepherd presaged rejecting Messiah.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah's enacted prophecy (chapters 11-13) used shepherd imagery to depict Israel's failed leadership and coming rejection of the Good Shepherd. Thirty shekels was the compensation for a slave's accidental death—insulting wage for a shepherd. Matthew sees Judas's betrayal fulfilling this (though attributing quote to Jeremiah—possibly a scribal error or reference to scroll order where Jeremiah came first). The detail about potter's field connects to Jeremiah 18-19's potter imagery and 32:6-15's field purchase. These prophecies demonstrate divine foreknowledge and Scripture's unity. Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), was valued at slave-price, betrayed for petty sum, fulfilling ancient predictions with precision impossible for human contrivance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do I value Jesus—as precious beyond measure, or as cheap commodity to use for my purposes?
  2. Does Jesus's fulfillment of detailed Old Testament prophecies strengthen my confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וָאֹמַ֣ר1 of 15

“And I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִם3 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ט֧וֹב4 of 15

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֛ם5 of 15

“unto them If ye think”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הָב֥וּ6 of 15

“give”

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

שְׂכָרִ֖י7 of 15

“for my price”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

וְאִם8 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֣א׀9 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חֲדָ֑לוּ10 of 15

“and if not forbear”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

וַיִּשְׁקְל֥וּ11 of 15

“So they weighed”

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

אֶת12 of 15
H853

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

שְׂכָרִ֖י13 of 15

“for my price”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים14 of 15

“thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

כָּֽסֶף׃15 of 15

“pieces of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

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 11:12 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 11:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:15Exodus 21:32Luke 22:3-6Mark 14:10-11John 13:27-30Genesis 37:28

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