King James Version

What Does Zechariah 11:8 Mean?

Zechariah 11:8 in the King James Version says “Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. lothed: Heb. was ...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. lothed: Heb. was straightened for them”

Zechariah 11:8 · KJV

Context

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

8

Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. lothed: Heb. was straightened for them

9

Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. another: Heb. his fellow, or, neighbour

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. This cryptic verse describes the shepherd's action against corrupt leadership. "Three shepherds also I cut off in one month" (va-akhchid et-sheloshet ha-ro'im be-yerach echad, וָאַכְחִיד אֶת־שְׁלֹשֶׁת הָרֹעִים בְּיֶרַח אֶחָד) has generated extensive interpretation. The "three shepherds" likely represent categories of Israel's leadership: prophets, priests, and kings/rulers—or perhaps Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes in Jesus's day. "Cut off" means destroyed, removed from office, rendered powerless.

"In one month" suggests swift, decisive action within a short time period. This could refer to Jesus's final confrontation with the religious leaders during His last Passover week, when He systematically exposed and condemned their hypocrisy (Matthew 21-23). Or it may point to the rapid collapse of Israel's leadership system after AD 70 when the temple, priesthood, and Sanhedrin all ended permanently.

"My soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me" (va-tiktzar nafshi bahem ve-gam nafsham ba'alah oti, וַתִּקְצַר נַפְשִׁי בָּהֶם וְגַם־נַפְשָׁם בָּעֲלָה אֹתִי) describes mutual rejection. The shepherd's soul grew impatient/weary with their wickedness (qatzar can mean shortened, impatient, disgusted). They in turn abhorred Him (ba'al means to loathe, reject). This mutual antagonism describes Jesus's relationship with Israel's leaders—He condemned them; they crucified Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Interpreters have proposed numerous identifications for the "three shepherds," but the broader meaning is clear: Jesus confronted and condemned Israel's corrupt leadership classes. During passion week, He challenged the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and elders, pronouncing seven woes against them (Matthew 23). They responded by plotting His death: "Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people...and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him" (Matthew 26:3-4).

The "one month" may be the approximately 30 days from Jesus's triumphal entry to His ascension, during which He systematically dismantled the religious establishment's authority and after His resurrection sent disciples to preach the gospel, bypassing traditional leadership structures. Alternatively, it could refer to the brief period of the Jewish revolt (AD 66-70) when the entire leadership system collapsed. Whatever the specific referent, the point is clear: the Good Shepherd exposes and judges false shepherds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Jesus "cut off" the corrupt leadership of His day, even though they appeared to triumph by crucifying Him?
  2. What does mutual loathing between the shepherd and shepherds reveal about the incompatibility between true and false ministry?
  3. How should this warning shape our evaluation of religious leaders today—are they faithful shepherds or among those God will "cut off"?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וָאַכְחִ֛ד1 of 13

“also I cut off”

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת3 of 13

“Three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הָרֹעִ֖ים4 of 13

“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

בְּיֶ֣רַח5 of 13

“month”

H3391

a lunation, i.e., month

אֶחָ֑ד6 of 13

“in one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַתִּקְצַ֤ר7 of 13

“lothed”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

נַפְשָׁ֖ם8 of 13

“and my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בָּהֶ֔ם9 of 13
H0
וְגַם10 of 13
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נַפְשָׁ֖ם11 of 13

“and my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בָּחֲלָ֥ה12 of 13

“also abhorred”

H973

to loath

בִֽי׃13 of 13
H0

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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 7:7John 15:18Isaiah 49:7Matthew 23:34-36Luke 19:14John 15:23-25

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