FocusDeliverance and rejected shepherding
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
interpretation Zechariah 10:11
KJVAnd he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
Read it in context
Judah and Israel Will Be Restored
Start reading at Zechariah 10:1 (Zechariah 10:1 to Zechariah 10:12).
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.
The oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
- 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
- 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
- 10:3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
- 10:4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
- 10:5 And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
- 10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
- 10:7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
- 10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
- 10:9 And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
- 10:10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
- 10:11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
- 10:12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
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? Judah and Israel Will Be Restored. Read Zechariah 10:1 through Zechariah 10:12 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? 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 Judah and Israel Will Be Restored (Zechariah 10:1 to Zechariah 10:12). Start reading at Zechariah 10:1. 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 10:1, Zechariah 10:12, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
Zechariah
Named 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.
Related passages
- he shall Ps 66:10-12 Isa 11:15-16 Isa 42:15-16 Isa 43:2
- smite Exod 14:21-22,27-28 Josh 3:15-17 2 Kgs 2:8,14 Ps 77:16-20 Ps 114:3,5 Isa 11:15 Rev 16:12
- the pride Ezra 6:22 Isa 14:25 Mic 5:5-6
- the sceptre Ezek 29:14-16 Ezek 30:13
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 10
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.
Zechariah 1:1 Zechariah 1:3 Zechariah 7:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah
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.
Zechariah 1:1 Zechariah 1:3 Zechariah 7:1
Return to the LORD
Zechariah 1:1–6FocusThe warning from the fathers
Connection to the wholeThe opening appeal recalls earlier refusals to hear the prophets and calls the present community to return.
interpretation The night visions and the crown
Zechariah 1:7–6:15FocusRestoration, cleansing, and the Branch
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
interpretation Fasting, justice, and promised restoration
Zechariah 7:1–8:23FocusTruthful worship and renewed community
Connection to the wholeA question about fasting leads to exhortations about justice and words of future blessing and gathering.
interpretation FocusDeliverance and rejected shepherding
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
interpretation Jerusalem, cleansing, and the LORD's reign
Zechariah 12:1–14:21FocusConflict and final hope
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.