Zechariah 11:13
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD. | And Jehovah said unto me, Cast it unto the potter, the goodly price that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them unto the potter, in the house of Jehovah. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe prophet, acting as a shepherd over a doomed flock, asks for his wages, and the people weigh out thirty pieces of silver. The LORD tells him to throw this 'goodly price' to the potter, calling it the price at which he himself was valued by them. The prophet obeys and casts the silver to the potter in the house of the LORD. Zechariah 11:4Zechariah 11:7Zechariah 11:12Zechariah 11:13
SpeakingThe prophet tells the story in the first person. Inside it, the LORD speaks to him and gives the command. Zechariah 11:13Zechariah overview
ToThe book was given to the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe flock and those who paid the shepherd. They are a people whose soul 'abhorred' him, and whom he would no longer feed. Zechariah 11:8Zechariah 11:9Zechariah 11:12
This is an acted-out sign. The small wage shows how little the people valued their shepherd, and the LORD says the price was set on him: 'I was prised at of them.' Throwing the silver away shows the LORD rejecting their low valuation, and then the second staff, Bands, is broken, ending the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. Zechariah 11:12Zechariah 11:13Zechariah 11:14Zechariah 11:8
The silver is thrown down 'in the house of the LORD,' the temple in Jerusalem. The book was written there among the returned exiles while the temple was being rebuilt. Zechariah 11:13Zechariah overview
The eventsThe text gives no date for this sign-act. It sits in the first undated 'burden' of chapters 9-11, about the coming king and the rejected shepherd. Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book, with dated messages from about 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8 are Zechariah's from 520-518 BC, but many assign the undated chapters 9-14 to a later writer or writers. Zechariah overview
HereThe sign exposes the people's contempt for the shepherd God gave them. Because the LORD counts the shepherd's price as his own, despising the shepherd means despising the LORD. Zechariah 11:8Zechariah 11:12Zechariah 11:13
In the whole of ScriptureChapters 9-11 move from the lowly coming king to a shepherd who is rejected and then replaced by a foolish, worthless shepherd. The theme returns in 13:7, 'smite the shepherd,' which Matthew 26:31 quotes. Isaiah 53:3 also speaks of one 'despised and rejected of men,' and Acts 4:11 of a stone 'set at nought' by the builders. Zechariah overviewZechariah 11:15Zechariah 11:16Zechariah 11:17Isaiah 53:3Acts 4:11
For readersMatthew says Judas brought the thirty pieces of silver he took for betraying Jesus back to the chief priests and elders. He says they were given 'for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me,' echoing this verse's price and potter. Matthew 27:3Matthew 27:10
The word means to be esteemed, prized, or appraised. The LORD uses it of himself, so the price put on the shepherd is the price put on him. Strong's H3365Zechariah 11:13
- the value (price)יְקָר
It means price, value, preciousness, or honour. Joined with 'goodly,' it names the sum the people thought he was worth, set against their loathing in 11:8. Strong's H3366Strong's H0145Zechariah 11:8
- cast / throwשָׁלַךְ
The word means to throw, cast away, or cast off. The silver is not kept but flung down, a picture of rejecting the payment. Strong's H7993Zechariah 11:13
- the potterיָצַר
The word comes from 'to form, fashion,' so the potter is one who shapes clay. Matthew 27:10 picks up this detail in 'the potter's field.' Strong's H3335HMatthew 27:10
Takeaway
Thirty pieces of silver was the people's verdict on the shepherd God sent, and God took that insult as aimed at himself. Matthew sees the same price paid for Jesus and the same potter in the field bought with it. Zechariah 11:12Zechariah 11:13Matthew 27:3Matthew 27:10
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
Behind this verse
- Thirty pieces of silver
- Thirty shekels of silver was the price the law set for a servant gored by an ox. Matthew records the thirty pieces paid to Judas and the potter's field bought with them. Zechariah 11:12-13Exodus 21:32Matthew 27:3-10
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and he said | וַיֹּ֨אמֶר | vai-YO-mer | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֜ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| to me | אֵלַ֗י | 'e-LAI | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| throw it | הַשְׁלִיכֵ֙הוּ֙ | hash-li-KHE-hu | H7993 | to throwשָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph) |
| to | אֶל־ | 'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the potter | הַיּוֹצֵ֔ר | hai-yo-TZER | H3335H | to form: formedיָצַר (ya.tsar) : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed |
| [the] magnificence of | אֶ֣דֶר | 'E-der | H0145 | robeאֶ֫דֶר (e.der) 1) glory, magnificence 2) mantle, cloak (as wide) |
| the value | הַיְקָ֔ר | hay-KAR | H3366 | preciousnessיְקָר (ye.qar) 1) price, value, preciousness, honour, splendour, pomp 1a) preciousness 1b) price 1c) honour, esteem Aramaic equivalent: ye.qar (יְקָר "honor" H3367) |
| which | אֲשֶׁ֥ר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| I was valued | יָקַ֖רְתִּי | ya-KAR-ti | H3365 | be preciousיָקַר (ya.qar) 1) to esteem, be prized, be valuable, be precious, be costly, be appraised 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be precious, be highly valued, be esteemed, be costly 1a2) to be appraised 1b) (Hiphil) to make something precious |
| from the with them | מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם | me-'a-lei-HEM | 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) … |
| and I took ! | וָֽאֶקְחָה֙ | va-'ek-CHAH | H3947G | to take: takeלָקַח (la.qach) : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed … |
| thirty | שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים | she-lo-SHIM | H7970 | thirtyשְׁלֹשִׁים (she.lo.shim) thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533) |
| the silver | הַכֶּ֔סֶף | ha-KE-sef | H3701G | silver: moneyכֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents |
| and I threw | וָאַשְׁלִ֥יךְ | va-'ash-LIKH | H7993 | to throwשָׁלַךְ (sha.lakh) 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph) |
| [the] house of | בֵּ֥ית | beit | H1004Q | No entry |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֖ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| to | אֶל־ | 'el- | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| the potter | הַיּוֹצֵֽר׃ | hai-yo-TZER | H3335H | to form: formedיָצַר (ya.tsar) : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.