King James Version

What Does Zechariah 11:3 Mean?

Zechariah 11:3 in the King James Version says “There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.”

Zechariah 11:3 · KJV

Context

1

Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

2

Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. mighty: or, gallants the forest: or, the defenced forest

3

There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

4

Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

5

Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

Read Zechariah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled. The lament shifts from trees to "shepherds" (ro'im, רֹעִים) and "young lions" (kephirim, כְּפִרִים), both representing Israel's leaders. The "howling" (yelalah, יְלָלָה) and "roaring" (sha'agah, שַׁאֲגָה) are cries of anguish—the leaders who should have protected God's flock now wail over their own destruction.

"For their glory is spoiled" (ki shuddad adartem, כִּי שֻׁדַּד אַדַּרְתָּם) explains the shepherds' anguish: their majesty, honor, and authority are devastated. The term adarah can mean a glorious robe or mantle (1 Kings 19:13, 19), symbolizing office and authority. Israel's shepherds (kings, priests, prophets) will lose their positions and prestige. The "pride of Jordan" (ge'on ha-Yarden, גְּאוֹן הַיַּרְדֵּן) refers to the Jordan River's thickets where lions once dwelled (Jeremiah 49:19; 50:44). Even the lions' impenetrable refuge is destroyed.

This verse connects the botanical imagery (vv. 1-2) with the shepherd allegory that follows (vv. 4-17). Israel's leaders—the shepherds who should feed the flock—have failed, leading to national judgment. Jesus explicitly condemned the religious leaders of His day as false shepherds (Matthew 23; John 10:12-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Zechariah's time, the Jewish community had returned from exile with renewed hope for restoration. Yet this prophecy warns that future unfaithful shepherds will bring renewed judgment. Throughout Israel's history, corrupt leadership led to national disaster: wicked kings led to Assyrian and Babylonian conquest, and corrupt priests in Jesus's day collaborated with Rome while rejecting Messiah.

The "pride of Jordan" being spoiled had literal fulfillment: the Jordan valley's thick vegetation (where lions once lived) was devastated during Rome's campaign against Jewish resistance. But the deeper meaning is spiritual: the leaders' pride—their self-exaltation and rejection of God's authority—brought judgment. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and chief priests who rejected Jesus lost everything in AD 70: the temple, the priesthood, national sovereignty, and their positions of power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the imagery of shepherds and lions howling over their lost glory warn against leadership motivated by pride and self-interest rather than service?
  2. What responsibility do spiritual leaders bear for the state of God's people, and what judgment awaits those who fail in their calling?
  3. How does Jesus as the Good Shepherd contrast with the false shepherds described here?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
ק֚וֹל1 of 13

“There is a voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יִֽלְלַ֣ת2 of 13

“of the howling”

H3215

a howling

הָרֹעִ֔ים3 of 13

“of 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

כִּ֥י4 of 13
H3588

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

שֻׁדַּ֖ד5 of 13

“is spoiled”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

אַדַּרְתָּ֑ם6 of 13

“for their glory”

H155

something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress)

ק֚וֹל7 of 13

“There is a voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שַׁאֲגַ֣ת8 of 13

“of the roaring”

H7581

a rumbling or moan

כְּפִירִ֔ים9 of 13

“of young lions”

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

כִּ֥י10 of 13
H3588

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

שֻׁדַּ֖ד11 of 13

“is spoiled”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

גְּא֥וֹן12 of 13

“for the pride”

H1347

the same as h1346

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃13 of 13

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

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 11:3 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 11:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:44Jeremiah 25:34-36Jeremiah 2:15Isaiah 65:15Ezekiel 19:3-6Matthew 23:13-38

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Zechariah 11 →

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