Zechariah 11:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָֽאֱלִיל֙
to the idol
H457
הָֽאֱלִיל֙
to the idol
Strong's:
H457
Word #:
3 of 18
good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol
הַצֹּ֔אן
the flock
H6629
הַצֹּ֔אן
the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
5 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
חֶ֥רֶב
the sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
6 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
זְרֹעוֹ֙
his arm
H2220
זְרֹעוֹ֙
his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
8 of 18
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעֵ֥ין
eye
H5869
וְעֵ֥ין
eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְמִינ֖וֹ
and his right
H3225
יְמִינ֖וֹ
and his right
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
11 of 18
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
זְרֹעוֹ֙
his arm
H2220
זְרֹעוֹ֙
his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
12 of 18
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
dried up
H3001
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
dried up
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
13 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
dried up
H3001
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
dried up
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
14 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
וְעֵ֥ין
eye
H5869
וְעֵ֥ין
eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְמִינ֖וֹ
and his right
H3225
יְמִינ֖וֹ
and his right
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
16 of 18
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.Ezekiel 13:3Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.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?Matthew 23:16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!Jeremiah 23:32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Zechariah's enacted prophecy (11:4-17) depicted Israel's rejection of God's shepherding, selling their true shepherd for thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13)—the exact price Judas received for betraying Jesus (Matthew 26:15). This passage condemns both historical false shepherds (corrupt priests, kings, prophets) and the ultimate false shepherd who will deceive Israel before Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- What characterizes an 'idol shepherd'—how do false spiritual leaders today abandon their flocks?
- How does losing 'arm and eye' (strength and vision) picture the ultimate futility of false leadership?
- What warning does this give about following charismatic leaders who draw people to themselves rather than to God?
Analysis & Commentary
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! (הוֹי רֹעִי הָאֱלִיל עֹזְבִי הַצֹּאן)—hoy introduces covenant curse against the ro'i ha-elil (worthless/idol shepherd), one who azav (abandons, forsakes) sheep entrusted to him. This follows Zechariah's enacted prophecy where he symbolically became shepherd of a doomed flock (11:4-14), representing both failed Israelite leadership and, prophetically, the Messiah's rejection. The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye—specific judgment: the arm (strength for defense) and right eye (vision for guidance) will be destroyed, rendering the shepherd completely useless.
His arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened (זְרוֹעוֹ יָבוֹשׁ תִּיבָשׁ וְעֵין יְמִינוֹ כָּהֹה תִכְהֶה)—yavosh (wither, dry up) is atrophy from disuse or divine curse. Complete incapacitation: can't protect, can't guide. Many identify this 'worthless shepherd' as Antichrist, the final false shepherd whom Israel will initially accept (John 5:43: "If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive") before recognizing the true Shepherd, Jesus.