Zechariah 10:3

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 1 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽרֹעִים֙ against the shepherds H7462
הָֽרֹעִים֙ against the shepherds
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 2 of 21
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
חָרָ֣ה was kindled H2734
חָרָ֣ה was kindled
Strong's: H2734
Word #: 3 of 21
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
אַפִּ֔י Mine anger H639
אַפִּ֔י Mine anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 4 of 21
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעַתּוּדִ֖ים the goats H6260
הָעַתּוּדִ֖ים the goats
Strong's: H6260
Word #: 6 of 21
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
פָקַד֩ and I punished H6485
פָקַד֩ and I punished
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 7 of 21
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
פָקַד֩ and I punished H6485
פָקַד֩ and I punished
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 9 of 21
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
יְהוָ֨ה for the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֨ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֤וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֤וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 11 of 21
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֶדְרוֹ֙ his flock H5739
עֶדְרוֹ֙ his flock
Strong's: H5739
Word #: 13 of 21
an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית the house H1004
בֵּ֣ית the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 15 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 16 of 21
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְשָׂ֣ם and hath made H7760
וְשָׂ֣ם and hath made
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 17 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אוֹתָ֔ם H853
אוֹתָ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּס֥וּס horse H5483
כְּס֥וּס horse
Strong's: H5483
Word #: 19 of 21
a horse (as leaping)
הוֹד֖וֹ them as his goodly H1935
הוֹד֖וֹ them as his goodly
Strong's: H1935
Word #: 20 of 21
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ in the battle H4421
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ in the battle
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 21 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

Cross References

Ezekiel 34:2Son 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?Proverbs 21:31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.Jeremiah 25:34Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.Zechariah 11:17Woe 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.Zephaniah 2:7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.Exodus 4:31And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.Luke 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,Ruth 1:6Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.1 Peter 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Analysis & Commentary

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds (עַל־הָרֹעִים חָרָה אַפִּי)—ro'im (shepherds) represents Judah's failed leaders: kings, priests, prophets who led people into idolatry. God's aph (anger/wrath) burns specifically against those entrusted with spiritual care who betrayed their charge. And I punished the goats—attudim can mean he-goats or leaders, continuing the shepherd metaphor. Ezekiel 34 contains parallel denunciation of selfish shepherds.

For the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah (כִּי־פָקַד יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֶת־עֶדְרוֹ אֶת־בֵּית יְהוּדָה)—pakad means to visit, attend to, care for (positively) or to punish (negatively). Here it's positive: God intervenes to shepherd His own flock after removing corrupt leaders. And hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle—from helpless sheep to war horses, God transforms His people into powerful instruments. This anticipates Messiah the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who removes false shepherds.

Historical Context

Judah's exile was blamed on corrupt leadership—kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim, false prophets, compromised priests. God's 'visiting' His flock means both judgment on bad shepherds and restoration for the remnant. Post-exilic leadership (Zerubbabel, Joshua the priest) represented new, faithful shepherding.

Questions for Reflection