King James Version

What Does Zechariah 11:5 Mean?

Zechariah 11:5 in the King James Version says “Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am r...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 11:5 · KJV

Context

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.

6

For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. deliver: Heb. make to be found

7

And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. even: or, verily the poor Bands: or, Binders

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse describes the appalling exploitation of God's flock by their supposed caretakers. "Whose possessors slay them" (asher qoneihem yahargum, אֲשֶׁר קֹנֵיהֶם יַהַרְגֻם) depicts owners who kill their own sheep for profit—viewing them as commodities, not living souls entrusted to their care.

"And hold themselves not guilty" (ve-lo ye'shamu, וְלֹא יֶאְשָׁמוּ) reveals their moral blindness: they feel no guilt for destroying those in their charge. They exploit God's people while claiming righteousness. "They that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich" combines religious hypocrisy with greed—thanking God while profiting from God's people's suffering. This describes religious leaders who use their positions for financial gain while displaying outward piety.

"Their own shepherds pity them not" (ve-ro'eihem lo yachmol aleihem, וְרֹעֵיהֶם לֹא יַחְמוֹל עֲלֵיהֶם) is the devastating climax: those called to shepherd have no compassion. The word chamal means to spare, show mercy, have compassion. Israel's leaders are completely devoid of pastoral concern. This describes the Pharisees and religious elite of Jesus's day who "devour widows' houses" (Matthew 23:14) and "bind heavy burdens on men's shoulders" (Matthew 23:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse paints a damning picture of Israel's leadership from the intertestamental period through Jesus's time. The Hasmonean priest-kings combined religious office with political power, often exploiting the people. The Sadducees collaborated with Rome for profit. The Pharisees imposed crushing legalistic burdens while exempting themselves. Jesus condemned them: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer" (Matthew 23:14).

The phrase "Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich" captures their religious veneer masking greed. They attributed their wealth to God's blessing while extracting it from the poor through temple taxes, sacrificial system manipulation, and legal trickery. Annas and Caiaphas's families controlled the temple market, gouging pilgrims on sacrificial animals. Jesus cleansed the temple precisely because they had made God's house "a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse warn religious leaders against viewing their congregations as means to personal gain rather than souls entrusted to their care?
  2. In what ways do modern churches risk repeating this error—exploiting God's people while claiming to serve them?
  3. How does Jesus as the Good Shepherd who "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11) contrast with these shepherds who slay and sell the flock?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

קֹנֵיהֶ֤ן2 of 14

“Whose possessors”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

יַֽהַרְגֻן֙3 of 14

“slay”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וְלֹ֣א4 of 14
H3808

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

יֶאְשָׁ֔מוּ5 of 14

“them and hold themselves not guilty”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

וּמֹכְרֵיהֶ֣ן6 of 14

“and they that sell”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

יֹאמַ֔ר7 of 14

“them say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּר֥וּךְ8 of 14

“Blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֖ה9 of 14

“be the LORD”

H3068

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

וַאעְשִׁ֑ר10 of 14

“for I am rich”

H6238

properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

וְרֹ֣עֵיהֶ֔ם11 of 14

“and their own 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

לֹ֥א12 of 14
H3808

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

יַחְמ֖וֹל13 of 14

“pity”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

עֲלֵיהֶֽן׃14 of 14
H5921

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

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 11:5 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 11:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:71 Timothy 6:5-10Hosea 12:82 Kings 4:1Genesis 37:26-28John 16:2

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