Zechariah 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Open thy doors, O Lebanon - I will give Mr. Joseph Mede's note upon this verse: - "That which moveth me more than the rest, is in chap. 11, which contains a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, and a description of the wickedness of the inhabitants, for which God would give them to the sword, and have no more pity upon them. It is expounded of the destruction by Titus; but methinks such a prophecy was nothing seasonable for Zachary's time, (when the city yet for a great part lay in her ruins, and the temple had not yet recovered hers), nor agreeable to the scope. Zachary's commission, who, together with his colleague Haggai, was sent to encourage the people, lately returned from captivity, to build their temple, and to instaurate their commonwealth. Was this a fit time to foretell the destruction of both, while they were yet but a-building? And by Zachary too, who was to encourage them? Would not this better befit the desolation by Nebuchadnezzar?" I really think so. See Mr. J. Mede's 61. Epistle. Lebanon signifies the temple, because built of materials principally brought from that place.
Open source ↗DESTRUCTION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE AND JEWISH POLITY FOR THE REJECTION OF MESSIAH. (Zec. 11:1-17) Open thy doors, O Lebanon--that is, the temple so called, as being constructed of cedars of Lebanon, or as being lofty and conspicuous like that mountain (compare Eze 17:3; Hab 2:17). Forty years before the destruction of the temple, the tract called "Massecheth Joma" states, its doors of their own accord opened, and Rabbi Johanan in alarm said, I know that thy desolation is impending according to Zechariah's prophecy. CALVIN supposes Lebanon to refer to Judea, described by its north boundary: "Lebanon," the route by which the Romans, according to JOSEPHUS, gradually advanced towards Jerusalem. MOORE, from HENGSTENBERG, refers the passage to the civil war which caused the calling in of the Romans, who, like a storm sweeping through the land from Lebanon, deprived Judea of its independence. Thus the passage forms a fit introduction to the prediction as to Messiah born when Judea became a Roman province. But the weight of authority is for the former view.
Open source ↗Open thy doors, O Lebanon,.... By which may be meant, either the temple of Jerusalem, which was built of the cedars of Lebanon; "the gates of which are said (w) to open of themselves forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem, when Jochanan ben Zaccai, who lived at the same time, rebuked them, saying, O temple, temple, wherefore dost thou frighten thyself? I know thine end is to be destroyed; for so prophesied Zechariah, the son of Iddo, concerning thee, "open thy doors, O Lebanon".'' So Lebanon, in Zac 10:10, is interpreted of the sanctuary, both by the Targum and by Jarchi; or else it may be understood of Jerusalem, and of the whole land of Judea, because it was situated by it; it was the border of it on the north side. That the fire may devour thy cedars; of which the temple was built, and the houses of Jerusalem, which were consumed by fire; unless the fortresses of the land are meant. So the Targum paraphrases it, "and the fire shall consume your fortresses.'' (w) T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 39. 2.
Open source ↗The Devastation of the Holy Land. - Zac 11:1. "Open thy gates, O Lebanon, and let fire devour thy cedars! Zac 11:2. Howl, cypress; for the cedar is fallen, for the glory is laid waste! Howl, ye oaks of Bashan; for the inaccessible forest is laid low! Zac 11:3. A loud howling of the shepherds; for their glory is laid waste! A loud roaring of the young lions; for the splendour of Jordan is laid waste!" That these verses do not form the commencement of a new prophecy, having no connection with the previous one, but that they are simply a new turn given to that prophecy, is evident not only from the omission of any heading or of any indication whatever which could point to the commencement of a fresh word of God, but still more so from the fact that the allusion to Lebanon and Bashan and the thickets of Judah points back unmistakeably to the land of Gilead and of Lebanon (Zac 10:10), and shows a connection between ch. 11 and Zac 10:1-12, although this retrospect is not decided enough to lay a foundation for the view that Zac 11:1-3 form a conclusion to the prophecy in Zac 10:1-12, to which their contents by no means apply. For let us interpret the figurative description in these verses in what manner we will, so much at any rate is clear, that they are of a threatening character, and as a threat not only form an antithesis to the announcement of salvation in Zac 10:1-12, but are substantially connected with the destruction which will overtake the "flock of the slaughter," and therefore serve as a prelude, as it were, to the judgment announced in Zac 11:4-7.; The undeniable relation in which Lebanon, Bashan, and the Jordan stand to the districts of Gilead and Lebanon, also gives us a clue to the explanation; since it shows that Lebanon, the northern frontier of the holy land…
Open source ↗In dark and figurative expressions, as is usual in the scripture predictions of things at a great distance, that destruction of Jerusalem and of the Jewish church and nation is here foretold which our Lord Jesus, when the time was at hand, prophesied of very plainly and expressly. We have here, 1. Preparation made for that destruction (Zac 11:1): "Open thy doors, O Lebanon! Thou wouldst not open them to let thy king in - he came to his own and his own received him not; now thou must open them to let thy ruin in. Let the gates of the forest, and all the avenues to it, be thrown open, and let the fire come in and devour its glory." Some by Lebanon here understand the temple, which was built of cedars from Lebanon, and the stones of it white as the snow of Lebanon. It was burnt with fire by the Romans, and its gates were forced open by the fury of the soldiers. To confirm this, they tell a story, that forty years before the destruction of the second temple the gates of it opened of their own accord, upon which prodigy Rabbi Johanan made this remark (as it is found in one of the Jewish authors), "Now I know," said he, "that the destruction of the temple is at hand, according to the prophecy of Zechariah, Open thy doors, O Lebanon! that the fire may devour thy cedars." Others understand it of Jerusalem, or rather of the whole land of Canaan, to which Lebanon was an inlet on the north. All shall lie open to the invader, and the cedars, the mighty and eminent men, shall be devoured, which cannot but alarm those of an inferior rank, Zac 11:2. If the cedars have fallen (if all the mighty are spoiled, and brought to ruin), let the fir-tree howl. How can the slender fir-trees stand if stately cedars fall? If cedars are devoured by fire, it is time for the fir-trees to howl; for no…
Open source ↗11:1-3 This taunt song against Lebanon and Bashan concludes the preceding message of deliverance and restoration for Israel (10:1-12); it could also introduce the following message about good and evil shepherds (11:4-17). 11:1 Lebanon, boasting snow-covered mountains and fruitful valleys, was a symbol of strength and fertility.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗יָלַל (yâlal, H3213) — to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one) בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אַדִּיר (ʼaddîyr, H117) — wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… אַלּוֹן (ʼallôwn, H437) — {an oak or other strong tree} בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) בָּצוֹר (bâtsôwr, H1208) — inaccessible, i.e. lofty בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the…
Open source ↗קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יְלָלָה (yᵉlâlâh, H3215) — {a howl} רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אַדֶּרֶת (ʼaddereth, H155) — something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress) שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… שְׁאָגָה (shᵉʼâgâh, H7581) — a rumbling or moan כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) גָּאוֹן (gâʼôwn, H1347) — {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament} יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh, H2028) — slaughter
Open source ↗קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשַׁר (ʻâshar, H6238) — properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… חָמַל (châmal, H2550) — to commiserate; by implication, to spare
Open source ↗חָמַל (châmal, H2550) — to commiserate; by implication, to spare יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כָּתַת (kâthath, H3807) — to bruise or violently strike נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) הֲרֵגָה (hărêgâh, H2028) — slaughter כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מַקֵּל (maqqêl, H4731) — a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… נֹעַם (nôʻam, H5278) — agreeableness, i.e. delight, suitableness, splendor or grace חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… כָּחַד (kâchad, H3582) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יֶרַח (yerach, H3391) — a lunation, i.e. month נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… בָּחַל (bâchal, H973) — to loath
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill כָּחַד (kâchad, H3582) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth, H7468) — a female associate; generally an additional one
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מַקֵּל (maqqêl, H4731) — a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining) נֹעַם (nôʻam, H5278) — agreeableness, i.e. delight, suitableness, splendor or grace גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything פָּרַר (pârar, H6565) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗פָּרַר (pârar, H6565) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יָהַב (yâhab, H3051) — to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come שָׂכָר (sâkâr, H7939) — payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation,… חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle שָׁקַל (shâqal, H8254) — to suspend or poise (especially in trade) שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… אֶדֶר (ʼeder, H145) — amplitude, i.e. (concrete) a mantle; also (figuratively) splendor יְקָר (yᵉqâr, H3366) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity יָקַר (yâqar, H3365) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again מַקֵּל (maqqêl, H4731) — a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining) חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… פָּרַר (pârar, H6565) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate אַחֲוָה (ʼachăvâh, H264) — fraternity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
O inhabitant of Lebanon, nestled in the cedars, how you will groan when pangs of anguish come upon you, agony like a woman in labor.”
Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you— because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
I will bring them back from Egyptand gather them from Assyria.I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanonuntil no more room is found for them.
Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD.
For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.