Zechariah Zone 11:7 The Staves

Zechariah Zone 11:7

The Staves

Mat 26:36-39 KJV  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  (37)  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  (38)  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  (39)  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Mat 26:40-46 KJV  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  (41)  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  (42)  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.  (43)  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.  (44)  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  (45)  Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  (46)  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mat 26:47-50 KJV  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.  (48)  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  (49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.  (50)  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Mat 26:51-56 KJV  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.  (52)  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.  (53)  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?  (54)  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?  (55)  In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.  (56)  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Zec 11:7-17 KJV  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.  (8)  Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.  (9)  Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.  (10)  And 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)  And 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.  (12)  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.  (13)  And 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.  (14)  Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.  (15)  And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.  (16)  For, 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.  (17)  Woe 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.

Zec 11:7 KJV  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two stavesH4731; the one I called BeautyH5278, and the other I called BandsH2256; and I fed the flock.

H4731

מַקְּלָה    מַקֵּל

maqqêl    maqqelâh

mak-kale', mak-kel-aw'

From an unused root meaning apparently to germinate; a shoot, that is, stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining): - rod, ([hand-]) staff.

Total KJV occurrences: 18

H4731

מקּלה  /  מקּל

maqqêl  /  maqqelâh

BDB Definition:

1) rod, staff

1a) rod, stick

1b) staff (in travel)

1c) wand (of diviner)

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from an unused root meaning apparently to germinate

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1236

Psa 23:1-6 KJV  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  (2)  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  (3)  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  (4)  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  (5)  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  (6)  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa 110:1-7 KJV  A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.  (2)  The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.  (3)  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.  (4)  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.  (5)  The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.  (6)  He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.  (7)  He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

We placed a picture of the prophet Amos below. Amos himself was a shepherd and as the picture shows a stave is in his hand. 

Zec 11:7 KJV  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two stavesH4731; the one I called BeautyH5278, and the other I called BandsH2256; and I fed the flock.

Let’s look at these 2 staves for a bit. The first one we are told is called Beauty.

H5278

נֹעַם

no^'am

no'-am

From H5276; agreeableness, that is, delight, suitableness, splendor or grace: - beauty, pleasant (-ness).

Total KJV occurrences: 7

H5278

נעם

no^'am

BDB Definition:

1) kindness, pleasantness, delightfulness, beauty, favour

1a) delightfulness

1b) symbolic name of one of two staves

1c) pleasantness

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5276

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1384a

We ask for your patience here on this one. We prefer to go with the word favour here. As always with Zechariah it seems all things Savior is what we find. When Jesus came He did not come for the rich and famous. He did not come for the experts in the Law. All of His healings were performed on the poor of the flock. 

Mat 15:21-28 KJV  Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.  (22)  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.  (23)  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.  (24)  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  (25)  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.  (26)  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.  (27)  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.  (28)  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mat 15:29-31 KJV  And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.  (30)  And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:  (31)  Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

We liked Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible for verse 7.

III. A trial yet made whether their ruin might be prevented by sending Christ among them as a shepherd; God had sent his servants to them in vain, but last of all he sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son, Mat_21:37. Divers of the prophets had spoken of him as the Shepherd of Israel, Isa_40:11; Eze_34:23. he himself told the Pharisees that he was the Shepherd of the sheep, and that those who pretended to be shepherds were thieves and robbers (Joh_10:1, Joh_10:2, Joh_10:11), apparently referring to this passage, where we have, 1. The charge he received from his Father to try what might be done with this flock (Zec_11:4): Thus saith the Lord my God (Christ called his Father his God because he acted in compliance with his will and with an eye to his glory in his whole undertaking), Feed the flock of the slaughter. The Jews were God's flock, but they were the flock of slaughter, for their enemies had killed them all the day long and accounted them as sheep for the slaughter; their own possessors slew them, and God himself had doomed them to the slaughter. Yet “feed them by reproof instruction, and comfort; provide wholesome food for those who have so long been soured with the leaven of the scribes and Pharisees.” Other sheep he had, which were not of this fold, and which afterwards must be brought; but he is first sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Mat_15:24. 

2. His acceptance of this charge, and his undertaking pursuant to it, Zec_11:7. He does as it were say, Lo, I come to do thy will, O my God! and, since this is thy will, it is mine: I will feed the flock of slaughter. Christ will care for these lost sheep; he will go about among them, teaching and healing even you, O poor of the flock! Christ did not neglect the meanest, nor overlook them for their meanness. The shepherds that made a prey of them regarded not the poor; they were conversant with those only that they could get by; but Christ preached his gospel to the poor, Mat_11:5. It was an instance of his humiliation that his converse was mostly with the inferior sort of people; his disciples, who were his constant attendants, were of the poor of the flock. 

3. His furnishing himself with tools proper for the charge he had undertaken: I took unto me two staves, pastoral staves; other shepherds have but one crook, but Christ had two, denoting the double care he took of his flock, and what he did both for the souls and for the bodies of men. David speaks of God's rod and his staff (Psa_23:4), a correcting rod and a supporting staff. One of these staves was called Beauty, denoting the temple, which is called the beauty of holiness and one of its gates beautiful, which Christ called his Father's house, and for which he showed a great zeal when he cleared it of the buyers and sellers; the other he called Bands, denoting their civil state, and the incorporate society of that nation, which Christ also took care of by preaching love and peace among them. Christ, in his gospel, and in all he did among them, consulted the advancement both of their civil and of their sacred interests. 

4. His execution of his office, as the chief Shepherd. He fed the flock (Zec_11:7), and he displaced those under-shepherds that were false to their trust (Zec_11:8): Three shepherds I cut off in one month. Through the deficiency and uncertainty of the history of the Jewish church, in its latter ages, we know not what particular event this had its accomplishment in; in general, it seems to be an act of power and justice for the punishment of the sinful shepherds and the redress of the grievances of the abused flock. Some understand it of the three orders of princes, priests, and scribes or prophets, who, when Christ had finished his work, were laid aside for their unfaithfulness. Others understand it of the three sects among the Jews, of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, all whom Christ silenced in dispute (Mt. 22) and soon after cut off, all in a little time.

Joh 10:1-9 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  (2)  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  (3)  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  (4)  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  (5)  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.  (6)  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.  (7)  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  (8)  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  (9)  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Joh 10:10-14 KJV  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  (11)  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  (12)  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  (13)  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  (14)  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Zec 11:7 KJV  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two stavesH4731; the one I called BeautyH5278, and the other I called BandsH2256; and I fed the flock.

H5278

נֹעַם

no^'am

no'-am

From H5276; agreeableness, that is, delight, suitableness, splendor or grace: - beauty, pleasant (-ness).

Total KJV occurrences: 7

H5278

נעם

no^'am

BDB Definition:

1) kindness, pleasantness, delightfulness, beauty, favour

1a) delightfulness

1b) symbolic name of one of two staves

1c) pleasantness

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5276

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1384a

There are many avenues this word beauty or favor as we suggested can take us down. Most commentaries agree that the Beauty here is the new covenant. The following comes from The Biblical Illustrator 

And I took unto Me two staves—

Two shepherd’s staves

In the next place is represented Christ’s undertaking of this charge, and His going diligently about it, signified by two shepherds’ staves the first whereof, called Beauty, holds forth the sweet and beautiful order of His Covenant, and the doctrine thereof, whereby the Church is directed in faith, worship, and obedience of God. The second, called Bands, signifies that policy in Church and State whereby they are kept one, and without schisms among themselves.

1. Christ the Mediator became as obedient servant, and is willing, and takes pleasure to be employed for His Church’s good; and will have a tender consideration of their case.

2. Christ in His care over the visible Church, bath an especial eye to His elect, and the regenerate in it, how abject-like soever they seem in the eyes of men, or in their outward condition.

3. Christ is a faithful shepherd, singular and incomparable in His care and diligence about His people for, saith He, “I took unto Me two staves,” whereas other shepherds use but one.

4. The Covenant and doctrine revealed by Christ unto His Church, as it sets forth the beauty and excellency of God, so it is beautiful and sweetly ordered in itself, so as faith and obedience sweetly work to others’ hands, and make the followers thereof to be beautiful and excellent above all people; for “the one staff I called Beauty.”

Indeed with Yeshua Messiah the world did see this side of God. As we stated in some other studies Jesus did nothing more than love, heal, feed, calmed and raised from the dead. What did He get in return? A death sentence. Not just any death sentence. He was beaten to a pulp, mocked spat upon and hammered to a public billboard of execution. 

However as we all know He could not be held there. Amen!

Zec 11:7 KJV  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two stavesH4731; the one I called BeautyH5278, and the other I called BandsH2256; and I fed the flock.

H2256

חֵבֶל    חֶבֶל

chebel    che^bel

kheh'-bel, khay'-bel

From H2254; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin: - band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling.

Total KJV occurrences: 62

H2256

חבל  /  חבל

chebel  /  che^bel

BDB Definition:

1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company

1a) a rope, cord

1b) a measuring-cord or line

1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region

1d) a band or company

2) pain, sorrow, travail, pang

2a) pains of travail

2b) pains, pangs, sorrows

3) union

4) destruction

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H2254

Same Word by TWOT Number: 592b, 595a

We tend to feel that number 3 being union is what is implied here. This could imply many things here. Remember the feeding of the 5000. They were set apart in companies of 50 and hundreds. The flock was literally fed in this particular perspective. 

Luk 9:12-17 KJV  And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.  (13)  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.  (14)  For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.  (15)  And they did so, and made them all sit down.  (16)  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.  (17)  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

One of the definitions of the root word means an inheritance. The BDB (Brown Driver Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions) number 3 definition above is union. This is what was happening while Jesus was feeding the companies of fifties. He was having unity with His kingdom to come. This brings thought to the plight of Elijah. The feeding of the prophets hid out in the caves. 

1Ki 18:13 KJV  Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

1Ki 18:1-4 KJV  And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.  (2)  And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.  (3)  And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:  (4)  For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Not to stray too far off course but there were many similarities between Elijah and Yeshua /Jesus’ ministry. Of course this was not Yeshua’s only miraculous feeding either. There were many miraculous feedings in the history of the Bible. All related to the Hebrew people. This is not the main focus of the study so we will not develop it all here. We are relatively sure somewhere in our nearly 200 journeys now (Praise God) we have detailed many of these events. It’s getting hard to remember sometimes where which is not a bad thing some times. 

Mar 1:6-11 KJV  And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;  (7)  And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.  (8)  I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.  (9)  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.  (10)  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:  (11)  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mar 1:12-15 KJV  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.  (13)  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.  (14)  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  (15)  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The phrase kingdom of God is found 70 times in the NT. The phrase is found in these words only in the NT. When we think of the word kingdom we might think of this passage from Yeshua’s own words. As we mentioned above the word we prefer to go with here (and all are welcome to disagree) is union. Yeshua taught us that any kingdom with a division cannot and will not stand. 

Mat 12:1-8 KJV  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.  (2)  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.  (3)  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;  (4)  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?  (5)  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  (6)  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  (7)  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  (8)  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Mat 12:9-13 KJV  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:  (10)  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.  (11)  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  (12)  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.  (13)  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Mat 12:14-24 KJV  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.  (15)  But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;  (16)  And charged them that they should not make him known:  (17)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,  (18)  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  (19)  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.  (20)  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  (21)  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.  (22)  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  (23)  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?  (24)  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Mat 12:25-32 KJV  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  (26)  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?  (27)  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.  (28)  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.  (29)  Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.  (30)  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  (31)  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  (32)  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mat 12:33-37 KJV  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  (34)  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  (35)  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  (36)  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  (37)  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Throughout the years we’ve touched on the divided kingdom of Israel. We just witnessed Yeshua feeding the flock with the Beauty of His Father. Healing, feeding, praying for all, driving out those pesky demons that aggravate us. Amen! 

This was the union God was searching out while we had His Son the first time. After all Yeshua is called what by the prophet Isaiah?.

Isa 7:10-16 KJV  Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,  (11)  Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.  (12)  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.  (13)  And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?  (14)  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name ImmanuelH6005. (15)  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.  (16)  For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

H6005

עִמָּנוּאֵל

‛immânû'êl

im-maw-noo-ale'

From H5973 and H410 with suffix pronoun inserted; with us (is) God; Immanuel, a name of Isaiah’s son: - Immanuel.

Total KJV occurrences: 2

H6005

עמּנוּאל

‛immânû'êl

BDB Definition:

Immanuel = “God with us” or “with us is God”

1) symbolic and prophetic name of the Messiah, the Christ, prophesying that He would be born of a virgin and would be ‘God with us’

Part of Speech: noun proper masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5973 and H410 with a pronominal suffix inserted

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1640d

Mat 1:18-25 KJV  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  (19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  (20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  (21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  (23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name EmmanuelG1694, which being interpreted is, God with us.  (24)  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  (25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

G1694

Ἐμμανουήλ

Emmanouēl

em-man-oo-ale'

Of Hebrew origin [H6005]; God with us; Emmanuel, a name of Christ: - Emmanuel.

Total KJV occurrences: 1

G1694

Ἐμμανουήλ

Emmanouēl

Thayer Definition:

Emmanuel = “God with us”

1) the title applied to the Messiah, born of the virgin, Mat_1:23, Is. Mat_7:14, because Jesus was God united with man, and showed that God was dwelling with man

Part of Speech: noun proper masculine

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: of Hebrew origin H6005

Zechariah talks to us about the feeding of the flock. Yeshua/Jesus  told us He was the bread come down from heaven. 

Joh 6:25-31 KJV  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?  (26)  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.  (27)  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.  (28)  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  (29)  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.  (30)  They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?  (31)  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Joh 6:32-40 KJV  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  (33)  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.  (34)  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.  (35)  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  (36)  But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.  (37)  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.  (38)  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  (39)  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  (40)  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Yeshua the spiritual bread come down from heaven. Through His healings and other works He divulged the spiritual manna. The Beauty of God was what He brought to us. The Bands union of God with man His very purpose for existence. More importantly some might say The union between God and His bride Israel. Praise His Holy name. 

As a matter of fact we await the return of the Lord Yeshua. Every day that goes by brings us closer to this glorious moment. Amen!

Joh 14:1-7 KJV  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  (5)  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  (6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (7)  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Rev 22:7 KJV  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

As always thanks for sharing a word

God Bless

 

Zechariah Zone 11:1-6

The Cedars and the Shepherds

Mat 26:1-15 KJV  And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,  (2)  Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.  (3)  Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,  (4)  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.  (5)  But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.  (6)  Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,  (7)  There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.  (8)  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?  (9)  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.  (10)  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.  (11)  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.  (12)  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  (13)  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.  (14)  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,  (15)  And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Mat 26:44-50 KJV  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  (45)  Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  (46)  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.  (47)  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.  (48)  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  (49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.  (50)  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Mat 27:1-8 KJV  When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:  (2)  And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.  (3)  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,  (4)  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.  (5)  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.  (6)  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.  (7)  And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.  (8)  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Zec 11:1-17 KJV  Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.  (2)  Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.  (3)  There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.  (4)  Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;  (5)  Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.  (6)  For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.  (7)  And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.  (8)  Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.  (9)  Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.  (10)  And 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)  And 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.  (12)  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.  (13)  And 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.  (14)  Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.  (15)  And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.  (16)  For, 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.  (17)  Woe 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.

Hello again friends. We have made it to chapter 11 here in Zechariah. It as well as every other chapter in Zechariah tells us something about our Messiah. That Messiah being Yeshua or Jesus. Our last journey also included details regarding Judah and Ephraim. 

Zec 11:1-2 KJV  Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.  (2)  Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

Here in verse 1 we see Jerusalem described as Lebanon. The cedars refers to the ones used in the building of the temple as well as many other things associated the area. The fire that devoured the temple. As we have mentioned plenty of times the Romans also did this exact thing.

1Ki 5:1-7 KJV  And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.  (2)  And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,  (3)  Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.  (4)  But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.  (5)  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.  (6)  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.  (7)  And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

1Ki 5:8-12 KJV  And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.  (9)  My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.  (10)  So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.  (11)  And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.  (12)  And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

1Ki 7:1-3 KJV  But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.  (2)  He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.  (3)  And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row.

1Ki 9:19 KJV  And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

Jer 22:1-7 KJV  Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,  (2)  And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:  (3)  Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.  (4)  For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.  (5)  But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.  (6)  For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.  (7)  And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

Jer 22:21-23 KJV  I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.  (22)  The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.  (23)  O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

Zec 11:3-5 KJV  There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.  (4)  Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;  (5)  Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

On a quick thought here in case you have not noticed. There are passages that reflect Zechariah’s words from the major prophets as they are called. We have seen this in the last few chapters especially friends. The patterns of desolation and rebuilding. The references to our Lord and Savior Yeshua. His life how it was beaten and broken only to become glorified. Amen!

These patterns are also ones we can apply to our own spiritual growth. As we send one kind of individual into oblivion and renew ourselves. 

Rom 12:1-8 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  (3)  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  (4)  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  (5)  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  (6)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  (7)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  (8)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Eph 2:11-18 KJV  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  (12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (13)  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  (14)  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  (15)  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  (16)  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  (17)  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  (18)  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Eph 4:20-27 KJV  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  (25)  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  (26)  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  (27)  Neither give place to the devil.

Col 3:8-11 KJV  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  (9)  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  (10)  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  (11)  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Zec 11:3 KJV  There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

Isa 56:8-12 KJV  The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.  (9)  All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.  (10)  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.  (11)  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.  (12)  Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

Jer 25:32-38 KJV  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.  (33)  And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.  (34)  Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.  (35)  And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.  (36)  A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.  (37)  And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.  (38)  He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

Mat 15:10-14 KJV  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:  (11)  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.  (12)  Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?  (13)  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  (14)  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Jas 5:1-8 KJV  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  (2)  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  (3)  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.  (4)  Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaothG4519.  (5)  Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.  (6)  Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.  (7)  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  (8)  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

G4519

σαβαώθ

sabaōth

sab-ah-owth'

Of Hebrew origin ([H6635] in feminine plural); armies; sabaoth (that is, tsebaoth), a military epithet of God: - sabaoth.

Total KJV occurrences: 2

G4519

σαβαώθ

sabaōth

Thayer Definition:

1) “Lord of Sabaoth”

1a) Lord of the armies of Israel, as those who are under the leadership and protection of Jehovah maintain his cause in war

Part of Speech: noun indeclinable

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: of Hebrew origin H6635 in feminine plural

Zec 11:4 KJV  Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

Isa 40:5-11 KJV  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  (6)  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:  (7)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.  (8)  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  (9)  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!  (10)  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.  (11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Eze 34:19-27 KJV  And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.  (20)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.  (21)  Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;  (22)  Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.  (23)  And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.  (24)  And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.  (25)  And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.  (26)  And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.  (27)  And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

Mic 5:1-4 KJV  Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.  (2)  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  (3)  Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.  (4)  And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Luk 19:37-44 KJV  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  (38)  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  (39)  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  (40)  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.  (41)  And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,  (42)  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.  (43)  For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,  (44)  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Zec 11:5 KJV  Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

Jer 23:1-6 KJV  Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.  (2)  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.  (3)  And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.  (4)  And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.  (5)  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  (6)  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Eze 22:23-28 KJV  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (24)  Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.  (25)  There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.  (26)  Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.  (27)  Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.  (28)  And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Mic 3:8-12 KJV  But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.  (9)  Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.  (10)  They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.  (11)  The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.  (12)  Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Gen 37:26-28 KJV  And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?  (27)  Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.  (28)  Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Deu 29:18-21 KJV  Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;  (19)  And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:  (20)  The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.  (21)  And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:

Hos 12:1-8 KJV  Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.  (2)  The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.  (3)  He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:  (4)  Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;  (5)  Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.  (6)  Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.  (7)  He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.  (8)  And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

We learned a little bit about Ephraim in our last get together. This passage from Zechariah as with many others is about punishment and redemption. This has been a common theme throughout our journeys as of late here in Zechariah. It is a pattern which runs through all the great prophets of the Bible. 

1Ti 6:1-5 KJV  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.  (2)  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.  (3)  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  (5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1Ti 6:6-12 KJV  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  (9)  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  (10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  (11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Zec 11:6 KJV  For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.

Isa 3:1-8 KJV  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,  (2)  The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,  (3)  The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.  (4)  And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.  (5)  And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.  (6)  When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:  (7)  In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.  (8)  For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

Jer 13:12-17 KJV  Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?  (13)  Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.  (14)  And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.  (15)  Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.  (16)  Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.  (17)  But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Mic 7:1-7 KJV  Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.  (2)  The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.  (3)  That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.  (4)  The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.  (5)  Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.  (6)  For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.  (7)  Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Mat 10:16-23 KJV  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  (17)  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;  (18)  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  (19)  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.  (20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  (21)  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.  (22)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.  (23)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Mar 6:1-4 KJV  And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.  (2)  And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?  (3)  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.  (4)  But Jesus said unto them, A prophetG4396 is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

G4396

προφήτης

prophētēs

prof-ay'-tace

From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.

Total KJV occurrences: 149

How many preachers hear these words loud and clear. Amen!

It’s a lengthy definition but we will go ahead and include Thayer’s.

Thayer’s Greek Definitions

G4396

προφήτης

prophētēs

Thayer Definition:

1) in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things

2) one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation

2a) the OT prophets, having foretold the kingdom, deeds and death, of Jesus the Messiah.

2b) of John the Baptist, the herald of Jesus the Messiah

2c) of the illustrious prophet, the Jews expected before the advent of the Messiah

2d) the Messiah

2e) of men filled with the Spirit of God, who by God’s authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men

2f) of prophets that appeared in the apostolic age among Christians

2f1) they are associated with the apostles

2f2) they discerned and did what is best for the Christian cause, foretelling certain future events. (Act_11:27)

2f3) in the religious assemblies of the Christians, they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, having power to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, and stimulate, their hearers

3) a poet (because poets were believed to sing under divine inspiration)

3a) of Epimenides (Tit_1:12)

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a compound of G4253 and G5346

Citing in TDNT: 6:781, 952

Mat 13:54-58 KJV  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?  (55)  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  (56)  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?  (57)  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.  (58)  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mat 25:31-33 KJV  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  (32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  (33)  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Mat 26:30-32 KJV  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  (31)  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.  (32)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Joh 10:1-9 KJV  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  (2)  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  (3)  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  (4)  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  (5)  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.  (6)  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.  (7)  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  (8)  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  (9)  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Joh 10:10-12 KJV  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  (11)  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  (12)  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Joh 10:13-18 KJV  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  (14)  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  (15)  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  (16)  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.  (17)  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  (18)  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Rev 22:7 KJV  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:12-15 KJV  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  (15)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Rev 22:20-21 KJV  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  (21)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

As always thanks for sharing a word

God Bless