And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Read it in contextThirty Pieces of Silver
Start reading at Zechariah 11:10 (Zechariah 11:10 to Zechariah 11:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
11:10And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.
11:11And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
11:12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
11:13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
11:14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
11:15And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
11:16For, 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.
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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, is the named prophet and traditional author. The composition of the later portions is debated. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Zechariah 9:1–11:17): Israel, Judah, surrounding peoples, and their leaders appear in oracles concerning judgment, deliverance, and the shepherds of the flock. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored community of Judah and Jerusalem, with messages for its leaders and visions extending beyond that immediate community. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:3; Zechariah 4:9; Zechariah 7:5. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Thirty Pieces of Silver. Read Zechariah 11:10 through Zechariah 11:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening dates messages to Darius' reign; later oracles are not all introduced with the same level of dating. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The returned community, Jerusalem, the temple, and symbolic visionary scenes are central, with wider nations and conflicts in view. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:10 to Zechariah 11:17).
Start reading at Zechariah 11:10. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The Gospels explicitly connect the king riding on an ass with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and cite other passages in the passion accounts. Additional identifications should still be marked as interpretation. See Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Join worship with truth, mercy, and justice. Begin interpretation of a vision with its supplied explanation and avoid treating speculation about present events as the words of the prophecy. interpretation
Cited: Zechariah 11:10, Zechariah 11:17, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
ZechariahNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD to Zechariah. Zechariah 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Zechariah.
What is debatedSome scholars propose a second author for chapters 9 through 14.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah 11
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation.
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThe closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.