Zechariah 10:2
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd. | For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedVerse 1 tells the people to ask the LORD for rain. Verse 2 gives the reason: idols and diviners gave only empty words and false comfort, so the people wandered like sheep with no shepherd. In verse 3 the LORD says he is angry with the shepherds and will visit his flock, the house of Judah. Zechariah 10:1Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:3
SpeakingThe LORD speaks through the prophet Zechariah. In this chapter he says "Mine anger" and "saith the LORD." Zechariah 10:3Zechariah 10:12Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe verse is about God's people, pictured as a scattered flock. It also speaks of the false guides who misled them: the idols, the diviners, and the shepherds God says he will punish. Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:3Zechariah 10:6
The household idols spoke nothing of worth, and the diviners saw lies and told false dreams. Their comfort was empty, so the people strayed and suffered like sheep without a shepherd. Jeremiah gives the same warning: do not listen to diviners and dreamers, and beware those who tell people who despise the LORD, "Ye shall have peace." Zechariah 10:2Jeremiah 27:9Jeremiah 23:17
The message was given in Jerusalem, to the returned people of Judah. Zechariah overview
The eventsThe verse looks back on a time when the people had already gone astray under false guides. The text does not name the exact time. The chapter then turns to God's promise to gather and restore them. Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:6Zechariah 10:8
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the book, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8 come from Zechariah then, but chapters 9-14 carry no dates, and many scholars assign them to a later writer or writers; others hold that Zechariah wrote the whole book. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse explains why the people should ask the LORD, not idols or diviners, for what they need. Idols cannot help, and false guides leave the flock scattered. The LORD himself will care for his flock. Zechariah 10:1Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:3Habakkuk 2:18
In the whole of ScriptureThe picture of sheep without a shepherd runs through Scripture. Ezekiel says God's flock was scattered because the shepherds fed themselves and not the flock. Jesus saw the crowds the same way and had compassion on them, and Zechariah later speaks of a shepherd smitten and sheep scattered. Ezekiel 34:5Ezekiel 34:8Matthew 9:36Zechariah overview
For readersComfort that does not come from the LORD is empty, however soothing it sounds. God's people are to seek him directly, as verse 1 says. He promises to strengthen and gather his flock. Zechariah 10:1Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:6Zechariah 10:12
- idols (teraphim)תְּרָפִים
The word is teraphim, a kind of idol used in household shrines. Hosea 3:4 lists teraphim among the things Israel would be without for many days. Strong's H8655Hosea 3:4
- divinersקָסַם
The word means to practice divination. The lexicon notes it is used of the nations' diviners and of Israel's false prophets, and that the practice was prohibited. Jeremiah 27:9 also warns against diviners. Strong's H7080Jeremiah 27:9
- in vainהֶ֫בֶל
The basic meaning is vapour or breath. The comfort these false guides gave was like a breath: nothing solid. Strong's H1892Zechariah 10:2
- shepherdרָעָה
The word means to tend or pasture a flock. The lexicon notes it is used figuratively of rulers and teachers, with the people as the flock. Verse 3 shows this use, where the LORD is angry with the shepherds and visits his flock, Judah. Strong's H7462BZechariah 10:3
Takeaway
Idols and false guides offer only empty comfort and leave people scattered like sheep without a shepherd. The LORD calls his people to seek him, and he promises to shepherd and gather them himself. Zechariah 10:1Zechariah 10:2Zechariah 10:3Ezekiel 34:5Zechariah 10:6Zechariah 10:8
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for | כִּ֧י | ki | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| the teraphim | הַתְּרָפִ֣ים | ha-te-ra-FIM | H8655 | teraphimתְּרָפִים (te.ra.phim) § 1) idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, family idol 1a) a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship |
| they speak | דִּבְּרוּ־ | di-be-ru- | H1696G | to speak: speakדָבַר (da.var) : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight |
| wickedness | אָ֗וֶן | 'A-ven | H0205G | evil: wickednessאָ֫וֶן (a.ven) 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H) |
| and the diviners | וְהַקּֽוֹסְמִים֙ | ve-ha-kos-MIM | H7080 | to divineקָסַם (qa.sam) 1) (Qal) to practice divination, divine 1a) of diviners of the nations, Balaam 1b) of false prophets of Israel 1c) prohibited |
| they see | חָ֣זוּ | CHA-zu | H2372 | to seeחֲזָה (cha.zah) 1) to see, behold 1a)(P'al) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, behold, witness 1a3) to behold (in a dream or vision) 1a4) customary, seemly (passive) |
| falsehood | שֶׁ֔קֶר | SHE-ker | H8267 | deceptionשֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain |
| and [the] dreams of | וַֽחֲלֹמוֹת֙ | va-cha-lo-mOt | H2472 | dreamחֲלוֹם (cha.lom) 1) dream 1a) dream (ordinary) 1b) dream (with prophetic meaning) Aramaic equivalent: che.lem (חֵ֫לֶם "dream" H2493) |
| the worthlessness | הַשָּׁ֣וא | ha-SHA-v' | H7723G | vanity: falseשָׁוְא (shav) : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H) |
| they speak | יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ | ye-da-BE-ru | H1696G | to speak: speakדָבַר (da.var) : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight |
| futility | הֶ֖בֶל | HE-vel | H1892 | vanityהֶ֫בֶל (he.vel) 1) vapour, breath 1a) breath, vapour 1b) vanity (fig.) adv 2) vainly |
| they comfort ! | יְנַֽחֵמ֑וּן | ye-na-che-MUN | H5162G | to be sorry: comfortנָחַם (na.cham) : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H) |
| there- | עַל־ | 'al- | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| -fore | כֵּן֙ | ken | H3651C | rightכֵּן (ken) adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable |
| they have set out | נָסְע֣וּ | na-se-'U | H5265 | to set outנָסַע (na.sa) 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry |
| like | כְמוֹ־ | khe-mov- | H3644G | likeכְּמוֹ (ke.mo) adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were |
| sheep | צֹ֔אן | Tzon | H6629G | flockצֹאן (tson) 1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks 1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats) 1b) of multitude (simile) 1c) of multitude (metaphor) |
| they are afflicted | יַעֲנ֖וּ | ya-'a-NU | H6031B | to afflictעָנָה (a.nah) 1) to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be put down, become low 1a2) to be depressed, be downcast 1a3) to be afflicted 1a4) to stoop 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to humble oneself, bow down 1b2) to be afflicted, be humbled 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to humble, mishandle, afflict 1c2) to humble, be humiliated 1c3) to afflict 1d4) to humble, weaken oneself 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be afflicted 1d2) to be humbled 1e) (Hiphil) to afflict 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to humble oneself 1f2) to be afflicted Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָי "to afflict" H6033) |
| for | כִּֽי־ | ki- | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| there not | אֵ֥ין | 'ein | H0369 | nothingאַ֫יִן (a.yin) 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of |
| [is] a shepherd | רֹעֶֽה׃ פ | ro-'EH | H7462B | to pastureרָעָה (ra.ah) 1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tend, pasture 1a1a) to shepherd 1a1b) of ruler, teacher (fig) 1a1c) of people as flock (fig) 1a1d) shepherd, herdsman (subst) 1a2) to feed, graze 1a2a) of cows, sheep etc (literal) 1a2b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig) 1b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess Also means: ro.i (רֹעִי "to shepherd" H7473) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.