Zechariah 11:7

5 Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.

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.

8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

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.

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
So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.
KJV
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.
WEB
So I fed the flock to be slaughtered, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called “Favor” and the other I called “Union”, and I fed the flock.
ASV
So I fed the flock of slaughter, verily the 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.
DARBY
So I fed the flock of slaughter, truly the 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.
BLB
And I pastured the flock of slaughter, the afflicted of the flock, and I took for myself two staffs—to one I called Favor, and to one I called Union—and I pastured the flock.
ÅB
Så røktet jeg slaktesauene, endog de usleste av sauene; og jeg tok meg to staver, den ene kalte jeg liflighet, og den andre kalte jeg bånd[^3], og jeg røktet sauene,
OTB
Så jeg voktet flokken som var bestemt for slakt, særlig de lidende i flokken. Jeg tok to staver, kalte den ene Nåde og den andre Enhet, og jeg voktet flokken.
B1930
Så røktet jeg slaktefårene, endog de usleste av fårene; og jeg tok mig to staver, den ene kalte jeg liflighet, og den andre kalte jeg bånd, og jeg røktet fårene, / < SKR 11, 14.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Zechariah 11:14

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

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 11:4

    Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 37:16–23

    Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 11:10–11

    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.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 23:4

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 61:1

    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 3:12

    I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

    Read in context