Zechariah 11:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The shepherd removes three other shepherds in a single month, and a mutual loathing arises between him and them.
What Does Zechariah 11:8 Mean?
In the course of the enacted parable, the shepherd removes three failed shepherds within one month, a swift clearing away of unfaithful leaders. Yet the relationship sours: his soul grew weary of them, and they in turn detested him. The faithful shepherd and the false ones cannot abide together.
The verse lays bare a hard reality of leadership over the flock: those who exploit the sheep often resent the one who would protect them. Faithful care can provoke hostility rather than gratitude. It prepares the reader for the deeper rejection to come, when the good Shepherd Himself will be despised by those He came to save.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 11:8
What does Zechariah 11:8 mean?
The shepherd removes three other shepherds in a single month, and a mutual loathing arises between him and them.