Zechariah – Chapter 11

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Zechariah 11 opens with the words: "Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars." Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God's protection and deliverance. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars.

2Howl, thou fir tree, for the cedar is fallen, for the mighty are laid waste: howl, ye oaks of Basan, because the fenced forest is cut down.

3The voice of the howling of the shepherds, because their glory is laid waste: the voice of the roaring of the lions, because the pride of the Jordan is spoiled.

4Thus saith the Lord my God: Feed the flock of the slaughter,

5Which they that possessed, slew, and repented not, and they sold them, saying: Blessed be the Lord, we are become rich: and their shepherds spared them not.

6And I will no more spare the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: behold I will deliver the men, every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall destroy the land, and I will not deliver it out of their hand.

7And I will feed the flock of slaughter for this, O ye poor of the flock. And I took unto me two rods, one I called Beauty, and the other I called a Cord, and I fed the flock.

8And I cut off three shepherds in one month, and my soul was straitened in their regard: for their soul also varied in my regard.

9And I said: I will not feed you: that which dieth, let it die: and that which is cut off, let it be cut off: and let the rest devour every one the flesh of his neighbour.

10And I took my rod that was called Beauty, and I cut it asunder to make void my covenant, which I had made with all people.

11And it was made void in that day: and so the poor of the flock that keep for me, understood that it is the word of the Lord.

12And I said to them: If it be good in your eyes, bring hither my wages: and if not, be quiet. And they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

13And the Lord said to me: Cast it to the statuary, a handsome price, that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I cast them into the house of the Lord to the statuary.

14And I cut off my second rod that was called a Cord, that I might break the brotherhood between Juda and Israel.

15And the Lord said to me: Take to thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

16For behold I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who shall not visit what is forsaken, nor seek what is scattered, nor heal what is broken, nor nourish that which standeth, and he shall eat the flesh of the fat ones, and break their hoofs.

17O shepherd, and idol, that forsaketh the flock: the sword upon his arm and upon his right eye: his arm shall quite wither away, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Important Verses in Zechariah 11

Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars.

Zechariah 11:1

Thus saith the Lord my God: Feed the flock of the slaughter,

Zechariah 11:4

And I took my rod that was called Beauty, and I cut it asunder to make void my covenant, which I had made with all people.

Zechariah 11:10

And the Lord said to me: Cast it to the statuary, a handsome price, that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I cast them into the house of the Lord to the statuary.

Zechariah 11:13

Historical Context

Zechariah belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming. Chapter 11 of 14 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars." The final verse reads: "O shepherd, and idol, that forsaketh the flock: the sword upon his arm and upon his right eye: his arm shall quite…" In terms of historical background, A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the Temple's rebuilding through eight night visions, then looked far beyond it: a king coming 'humble and riding on a donkey' (9:9), the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah

When It Was Written

Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school

Catholic Commentary

The prophetic discourse in this chapter speaks to a community facing the consequences of its choices before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of messianic visions and the coming king. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 302).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Zechariah Chapter 11, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of intercession for others bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 11 about?

Zechariah 11 contains 17 verses. It opens with "Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars." and closes with "O shepherd, and idol, that forsaketh the flock: the sword upon his arm and upon his right eye: his arm shall quite…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Open thy gates, O Libanus, and let fire devour thy cedars." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

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