Zechariah 10:3

Serving others

¹ Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.

² For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.

⁴ The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.

⁵ They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: “My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.
KJV: Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
WEB: My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats, for the LORD of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
ASV: Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his goodly horse in the battle.
DARBY: Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts visiteth his flock, the house of Judah, and maketh them as his majestic horse in the battle.
BLB: “Against the shepherds, My anger is kindled; and against the he-goats, I lay a charge. But YHWH of Hosts will attend to His flock, the house of Judah, and He will set them as a horse of His splendor in the battle.

ÅB: Mot hyrdene[^2] er min vrede tent opp, og bukkene vil jeg hjemsøke; for Herren, hærskarenes Gud, ser til sin flokk, Judas hus, og gjør den lik sin stolte stridshest.
OTB: «Min vrede er opptent mot hyrdene,
Og jeg vil straffe bukkene;
For hærskarenes Herre har besøkt sin flokk, Judas hus,
Og vil forvandle dem som sin majestetiske hest i kamp.
B1930: Mot hyrdene er min vrede optendt, og bukkene vil jeg hjemsøke; for Herren, hærskarenes Gud, ser til sin hjord, Judas hus, og gjør den lik sin stolte stridshest. / < d.e. folkets fremmede herskere.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ezekiel 34:7–10
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
Read in context
Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?
Read in context
Zechariah 11:17
Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”
Read in context
Ezekiel 34:16–17
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
Read in context
Jeremiah 23:1–2
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.
Read in context
Ezekiel 34:20–21
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
Read in context
Jeremiah 25:34
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.
Read in context
Zephaniah 2:7
The coast will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. They will lie down in the evening among the houses of Ashkelon, for the LORD their God will attend to them and restore their captives.
Read in context