Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Study Note
Study Note
'But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear' — the historical review of pre-exilic Israel's covenant failure in Zechariah 7:8–14 employs three physical images of willful non-reception: averted posture, covered ears, and (verse 12) an 'adamantine heart.' The three refusals parallel Jeremiah's repeated description of Israel as 'stiff-necked' and echo the covenant lawsuit genre of the prophets (Isaiah 1:2–4; Amos 4:6–11). The 'stubborn shoulder' (kataph sorerot, literally 'a shoulder of stubbornness/rebellion') may allude to an ox refusing to accept the yoke — a physical image for resistance to divine direction. The post-exilic audience's question about fasting (7:1–3) is answered by this recital: before asking about ritual observance, consider whether the justice and mercy YHWH requires (7:9) are being practiced.
Other Translations
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
And they refuse to attend, And they give a refractory shoulder, And their ears have made heavy against hearing.
But they would not give attention, turning their backs and stopping their ears from hearing;
Cross References
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, …
Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn …
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified …
And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and …
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which …
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not …
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;