Zechariah 11:16

14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

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
For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.
KJV
For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
WEB
For, behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not visit those who are cut off, neither will seek those who are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the meat of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces.
ASV
For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those that are cut off, neither will seek those that are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the flesh of the fat [sheep], and will tear their hoofs in pieces.
DARBY
For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who shall not visit those that are about to perish, neither shall seek that which is strayed away, nor heal that which is wounded, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their hoofs in pieces.
BLB
For behold, I am raising up a shepherd in the land: Those being cut off he will not attend to; the young one he will not seek, and the one being broken he will not heal. The one standing still he will not sustain, and the flesh of the fat one he will devour, and their hooves he will tear off!
ÅB
For se, jeg lar en hyrde stå fram i landet, en som ikke ser til de sauene som er nær ved å omkomme, ikke søker etter det som er bortkommet, og ikke leger det som har fått skade, og ikke sørger for det som holder seg oppe, men spiser kjøttet av de fete og endog bryter deres klover i stykker.
OTB
For jeg er i ferd med å oppreise en hyrde i landet som ikke vil bry seg om de som går til grunne, ikke søke de spredte, ikke helbrede de sårede, ikke nære de friske, men vil fortære kjøttet av de fete sauene, rive av deres hover.
B1930
For se, jeg lar en hyrde stå frem i landet, en som ikke ser til de får som er nær ved å omkomme, ikke søker efter det som er bortkommet, og ikke læger det som har fått skade, og ikke sørger for det som holder sig oppe, men eter kjøttet av de fete og endog bryter deres klover i stykker.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 10:12–13

    But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 23:2

    Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:2–6

    Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

    Read in context
  • John 10:1

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 23:13–29

    But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

    Read in context
  • Luke 12:45–46

    But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

    Read in context
  • Genesis 33:13

    And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:21

    Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;

    Read in context