King James Version

What Does Zechariah 7:11 Mean?

Zechariah 7:11 in the King James Version says “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. pulled: He...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. pulled: Heb. they gave a backsliding shoulder stopped: Heb. made heavy”

Zechariah 7:11 · KJV

Context

9

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Execute: Heb. Judge judgment of truth

10

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

11

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. pulled: Heb. they gave a backsliding shoulder stopped: Heb. made heavy

12

Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. by: Heb. by the hand of

13

Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

Read Zechariah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder (וַיְמָאֲנוּ לְהַקְשִׁיב וַיִּתְּנוּ כָתֵף סֹרָרֶת, vayma'anu lehaqshiv vayitnu chatef soraret)—Israel's response to prophetic warning was deliberate defiance. The verb ma'en (מָאֵן) means to refuse stubbornly, reject willfully. Haqshiv (הַקְשִׁיב) means to pay attention, give heed—they actively chose not to listen. The idiom natan chatef soraret (gave a stubborn shoulder) pictures a draft animal refusing the yoke, pulling away from the load (Nehemiah 9:29; Hosea 4:16). It suggests rebellious resistance to divine instruction, shrugging off God's authority like an ox refusing to plow.

And stopped their ears, that they should not hear (וְאָזְנֵיהֶם הִכְבִּידוּ מִשְּׁמוֹעַ, ve'oznehem hichbidu mishmo'a)—The verb kavad (כָּבַד, to make heavy, dull) describes deliberate deafening. They made their ears heavy/insensitive so they wouldn't hear. This wasn't accidental misunderstanding but intentional ignorance. Isaiah received similar commission: preach to those who hear but don't understand, see but don't perceive, lest they repent and be healed (Isaiah 6:9-10, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 13:14-15). Paul warns that people suppress truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18) and eventually God gives them over to reprobate minds (Romans 1:28).

This verse diagnoses the pathology of spiritual rebellion. Unbelief isn't primarily intellectual confusion but moral rebellion—refusing to hear, pulling away from God's yoke, stopping up ears against His voice. The problem isn't that God's Word is unclear but that rebellious hearts actively resist. This explains Jesus's repeated formula: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15)—the issue isn't auditory capacity but willingness to submit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This describes pre-exilic Israel's response to the prophets whom God sent repeatedly to call them to repentance (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Isaiah prophesied for 40+ years to increasingly hostile audiences. Jeremiah endured beatings, imprisonment, and death threats for delivering God's unwelcome message. Amos was expelled from Israel's royal sanctuary for announcing judgment (Amos 7:10-13). The people's consistent pattern was to reject prophetic calls to social justice and covenant faithfulness, preferring comfortable lies from false prophets who promised peace when there was no peace (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11).

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life might you be 'pulling away the shoulder' from God's yoke—resisting His clear instruction?
  2. How can you cultivate soft-hearted responsiveness to Scripture rather than hardened selective hearing that accepts only comfortable truths?
  3. What warning does this verse give about the cumulative effect of repeatedly ignoring God's voice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיְמָאֲנ֣וּ1 of 8

“But they refused”

H3985

to refuse

לְהַקְשִׁ֔יב2 of 8

“to hearken”

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ3 of 8

“and pulled away”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כָתֵ֖ף4 of 8

“the shoulder”

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

סֹרָ֑רֶת5 of 8
H5637

to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory

וְאָזְנֵיהֶ֖ם6 of 8

“their ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

הִכְבִּ֥ידוּ7 of 8

“and stopped”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

מִשְּׁמֽוֹעַ׃8 of 8

“that they should not hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

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 7:11 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 7:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:29Jeremiah 8:5Hosea 4:16Acts 7:57Jeremiah 35:15Zechariah 1:4

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