King James Version

What Does Zechariah 13:7 Mean?

Zechariah 13:7 in the King James Version says “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd,... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Zechariah 13:7 · KJV


Context

5

But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman ; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

6

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

7

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

8

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Prophecy of shepherd struck, sheep scattered: 'Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.' Jesus quotes this predicting His crucifixion and disciples' desertion (Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27): 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.' The Hebrew 'ish amiti' (man who is My equal/companion) is remarkable—God calls the shepherd 'My equal,' indicating deity. Only Christ qualifies: fully God ('My equal') and fully human ('the man'). God commands the sword against His own shepherd—the Father striking the Son in our place (Isaiah 53:4, 10). The scattering occurred (Mark 14:50), but God's hand turned graciously to 'the little ones' (restoration, John 21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Context includes judgment on false shepherds (11:15-17) and purifying remnant (13:8-9). But 13:7 speaks of the true Shepherd struck by divine judgment. Jesus's application (Matthew 26:31) confirms this is Messianic prophecy. On the cross, God's wrath against sin fell on Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13). The disciples' scattering fulfilled the prophecy literally, but restoration followed resurrection (John 20-21, Acts 1-2). The 'little ones' may refer to disciples or remnant of believers preserved through tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22, Revelation 12:13-17). This prophecy demonstrates the cross wasn't accidental but divinely ordained: God Himself commanded the sword against His co-equal Son to accomplish redemption.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that God commanded the sword against His own Son deepen my appreciation for the cross?
  2. When I'm 'scattered' by trials or failures, do I trust God will mercifully restore and gather me back?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
חֶ֗רֶב1 of 19

O sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

עוּרִ֤י2 of 19

Awake

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

עַל3 of 19
H5921

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

הָֽרֹעֶה֙4 of 19

against my shepherd

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

וְעַל5 of 19
H5921

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

גֶּ֣בֶר6 of 19

and against the man

H1397

properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

עֲמִיתִ֔י7 of 19

that is my fellow

H5997

companionship; hence (concretely) a comrade or kindred man

נְאֻ֖ם8 of 19

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 19

the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֑וֹת10 of 19

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַ֤ךְ11 of 19

smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת12 of 19
H853

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

הָֽרֹעֶה֙13 of 19

against my shepherd

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

וּתְפוּצֶ֣יןָ14 of 19

shall be scattered

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

הַצֹּ֔אן15 of 19

and the sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י16 of 19

and I will turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יָדִ֖י17 of 19

mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל18 of 19
H5921

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

הַצֹּעֲרִֽים׃19 of 19

upon the little ones

H6819

to be small, i.e., (figuratively) ignoble


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 13:7 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 13:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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