Zechariah 11:9

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

وَقُلْتُ: «لَنْ أرعَاكُمْ ثَانِيَةً. فَلْيَمُتِ المُحتَضِرُ، وَلْيَهْلِكِ الهَالِكُ، وَلْيَأْكُلِ البَاقُونَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَحْمَ بَعْضٍ.»

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Zechariah 11:9, the speaker (who represents God) is saying that he will no longer take care of a group who are not listening to him and who do not value his help. He says those who die or need to be removed should face the consequences, while others might turn against each other.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a group of friends who don't listen when you try to help them play better games. You might think, 'If they want to keep playing badly and get hurt, I won’t stop them anymore.' This is like what the verse is saying about God not helping people who ignore him.

Historical Background

Zechariah was a prophet who wrote his book around 520 BC during a time when many Jews had returned from exile. The audience would have been those returning to Jerusalem and trying to rebuild their lives, facing challenges and lack of trust in leadership.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this can apply to situations where someone has tried repeatedly to help a group or an individual who continually refuses to change or accept guidance, leading the helper to step back and let natural consequences play out.

Topics

• leadership
• consequences
• trust
• responsibility
• divine judgment
• shepherd imagery

Related Verses

• Ezekiel 34:8
• Jeremiah 23:1-2
• Matthew 7:6
• John 10:10
• Romans 8:38-39

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is speaking in Zechariah 11:9?

The speaker is a prophetic figure representing God, addressing a group who have been unresponsive to divine guidance.

Why does the verse mention 'letting them die' and 'cut off'?

This reflects the idea of allowing natural consequences for those who reject help or leadership, emphasizing the seriousness of ignoring divine guidance.

What is the significance of 'eating flesh of another'?

It symbolizes conflict among people when leadership fails, indicating that without proper guidance, they might turn against each other.

How can this verse be applied in a workplace setting?

This could mean stepping back from those who repeatedly ignore advice or fail to improve their performance, allowing them to face the natural consequences of their actions.