Zechariah 11:8
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
Study Note
Study Note
The enigmatic dismissal of 'three shepherds in one month' represents one of the most debated verses in the Book of Zechariah, with over forty proposed identifications of the three figures in patristic, medieval, and modern scholarship. The verse belongs to the symbolic action sequence of 11:4-17, where Zechariah enacts the role of an ideal shepherd replaced by a foolish shepherd, representing the failure of leadership that precedes the people's rejection of the divine shepherd. The mutual rejection — 'my soul grew impatient with them, and their soul also loathed me' — uses the language of covenant disgust to describe the breakdown between Yahweh and Israel. The broader passage is cited in Matthew 27:9-10 in connection with the thirty pieces of silver, applying Zechariah's shepherd drama to the betrayal and rejection of Jesus.
Other Translations
And I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.
And I cut off the three shepherds in one month, and my soul is grieved with them, and also their soul hath abhorred me.
And in one month I put an end to the three keepers of the flock; for my soul was tired of them, and their souls were disgusted with me.
Cross References
Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom …
Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy …
Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated …
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of …
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour …
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and …
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in …
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign …
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!