King James Version

What Does Zechariah 11:9 Mean?

Zechariah 11:9 in the King James Version says “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 le...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 11:9 · KJV

Context

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.

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

Read Zechariah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. After cutting off the false shepherds, the Good Shepherd announces withdrawal from those who reject Him. "I will not feed you" (lo er'eh etkhem, לֹא אֶרְעֶה אֶתְכֶם) is judicial abandonment—ceasing to provide pastoral care. This recalls Jesus's words: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:37-38).

"That that dieth, let it die" repeats for emphasis the consequences of rejecting the Shepherd's care. "That that is to be cut off, let it be cut off" speaks of being removed, destroyed—the same verb used in verse 8. Without the shepherd's protection, the flock faces death and destruction. This prophesies the horror of AD 70, when those who rejected Christ faced Rome's legions.

"Let the rest eat every one the flesh of another" (ve-ha-nish'arot tokalna ishah et-besar re'utah, וְהַנִּשְׁאֲרוֹת תֹּאכַלְנָה אִשָּׁה אֶת־בְּשַׂר רְעוּתָהּ) prophesies cannibalism—the ultimate horror of siege warfare. This fulfills Deuteronomy 28:53-57's covenant curses. Josephus records that during Jerusalem's siege, a woman named Mary actually killed and ate her own infant—a fulfillment so shocking it became infamous throughout the Roman world.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus withdrew from Israel's leadership class and increasingly focused on His disciples, preparing them to take the gospel to all nations. After His resurrection, He commissioned them: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), effectively bypassing the temple system and religious establishment. The apostles initially preached in Jerusalem, but after Stephen's martyrdom, persecution scattered them to the nations (Acts 8:1-4).

The predicted horrors came to pass in AD 66-70. Josephus's account reads like commentary on this verse: rival Jewish factions fought each other, destroying food supplies; famine became so severe that people ate leather, grass, and eventually each other; those who tried to escape were crucified by the Romans (up to 500 per day); the temple was burned and destroyed; over a million died. Those who rejected the Shepherd experienced what He warned: "If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:31).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's withdrawal of shepherding care reveal about the terrifying consequences of persistent rejection?
  2. How does this verse demonstrate that Jesus's warnings about judgment were not vindictive but loving attempts to prevent disaster?
  3. In what ways can individuals or churches today experience similar withdrawal of God's gracious care through persistent rebellion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וָאֹמַ֕ר1 of 14

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֥א2 of 14
H3808

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

אֶרְעֶ֖ה3 of 14

“I I will not feed”

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

אֶתְכֶ֑ם4 of 14
H853

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

תָמ֗וּת5 of 14

“let it die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תָמ֗וּת6 of 14

“let it die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תִּכָּחֵ֔ד7 of 14

“and that that is to be cut off”

H3582

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

תִּכָּחֵ֔ד8 of 14

“and that that is to be cut off”

H3582

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

וְהַ֨נִּשְׁאָר֔וֹת9 of 14

“and let the rest”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

תֹּאכַ֕לְנָה10 of 14

“eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אִשָּׁ֖ה11 of 14

“every one”

H802

a woman

אֶת12 of 14
H853

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

בְּשַׂ֥ר13 of 14

“the flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

רְעוּתָֽהּ׃14 of 14

“of another”

H7468

a female associate; generally an additional one

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 11:9 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 11:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 22:11Jeremiah 43:11Matthew 13:10-11Ezekiel 5:10Acts 13:46-47Jeremiah 23:33

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