Zechariah 13:7
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. | Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. | Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe LORD of hosts calls a sword to strike his own shepherd, the man he calls his fellow, and the flock scatters. The next verses say two parts of the land will be cut off, while a third part is refined like silver and gold and calls on God's name. Jesus quoted this verse about himself and his disciples on the night they all fled. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9Matthew 26:31Mark 14:27Mark 14:50
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts speaks, as the verse itself says. The book names Zechariah, son of Berechiah, as the prophet who delivered it. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah overview
ToThe sword is addressed directly, as if it were a person. The message was given to the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 13:7Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe shepherd and his sheep, along with the little ones. Jesus said he was the shepherd and his disciples were the scattered sheep, and Mark records that they all forsook him and fled. Zechariah 13:7Matthew 26:31Mark 14:27Mark 14:50John 16:32
God himself orders the striking of the shepherd who is close to him. When the shepherd is struck, the flock scatters. Matthew's quotation puts it as God's own act: "I will smite the shepherd." Zechariah 13:7Matthew 26:31Mark 14:27
The message was given in Jerusalem among the returned exiles and concerns Jerusalem and Judah. The sources do not say where Jesus was when he quoted it. Zechariah overviewZechariah 13:1
The eventsThe prophecy looks ahead to "that day" spoken of through this chapter. Jesus said it would come to pass "this night," the night his disciples fled. Zechariah 13:1Zechariah 13:2Matthew 26:31Mark 14:50
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the whole book; his dated messages run from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars place chapters 1-8 in 520-518 BC, but many assign the undated chapters 9-14, including this verse, to a later writer or writers. Zechariah overview
HereThe verse explains how the flock will be scattered and tested. It leads into God refining a remnant who will say, "The LORD is my God." Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Zechariah 13:9
In the whole of ScriptureIt belongs to the later chapters about a rejected shepherd and a pierced one. These chapters also promise a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Other prophets look for one shepherd over God's people. Zechariah overviewZechariah 11:7Zechariah 13:1Ezekiel 37:24Isaiah 40:11
For readersJesus used this verse to warn his followers that they would desert him, so their failure came as no surprise to him. Even then he said, "I am not alone, because the Father is with me." Matthew 26:31Mark 14:27John 16:32
Christians read this differently
The last line, "I will turn mine hand upon the little ones," can be read two ways, and no cited Scripture settles it. Some take it as judgment reaching the weak of the flock, which fits the cutting off in verse 8. Others take it as God turning his hand to care for the little ones, like the shepherd who gathers the lambs in Isaiah 40:11. The Hebrew word for "upon" can mean "over," "on behalf of," or "against." Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:8Strong's H5921AStrong's H7725GIsaiah 40:11
- my fellowעָמִית
The word means relation, neighbour, associate or fellow. God calls the struck shepherd someone close to himself, not an enemy. Strong's H5997Zechariah 13:7
- manגָּבֶר
The lexicon gives man, strong man or warrior, a word that stresses strength or ability to fight. God uses it of the shepherd he calls his fellow. Strong's H1397Zechariah 13:7
- smiteנָכָה
The word covers a range from strike and beat to slay, and also to send judgment upon. Here God himself calls for the shepherd to be struck, and the flock scatters as a result. Strong's H5221Zechariah 13:7
- little onesצָעַר
The word means to be or grow small or insignificant. It points to the least members of the flock. Strong's H6819Zechariah 13:7
Takeaway
God foretold that his own shepherd would be struck and the flock scattered. Jesus applied this to himself on the night his disciples fled. In Zechariah the scattering is followed by a refined people who call on God and hear him say, "It is my people." Zechariah 13:7Zechariah 13:9Matthew 26:31Mark 14:50
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O sword | חֶ֗רֶב | CHE-rev | H2719 | swordחֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone |
| awake | עוּרִ֤י | 'u-RI | H5782 | to rouseעוּר (ur) 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake |
| on | 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) … |
| shepherd my | רֹעִי֙ | ro-'I | 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) |
| and on | וְעַל־ | ve-'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) … |
| [the] man of | גֶּ֣בֶר | GE-ver | H1397 | great manגָּבֶר (ga.ver) man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight) |
| community my | עֲמִיתִ֔י | 'a-mi-TI | H5997 | neighborעָמִית (a.mit) relation, neighbour, associate, fellow |
| [the] utterance of | נְאֻ֖ם | ne-'UM | H5002 | utteranceנְאֻם (ne.um) 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֣ה | 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) |
| of hosts | צְבָא֑וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| strike | הַ֤ךְ | hakh | H5221 | to smiteנָכָה (na.khah) 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) … |
| the shepherd | הָֽרֹעֶה֙ | ha-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) |
| and they may be scattered | וּתְפוּצֶ֣יןָ | u-te-fu-TZEI-na | H6327A | to scatterפּוּץ (puts) 1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered 1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be scattered 1b2) to be spread abroad 1c) (Hiphil) to scatter 1d) Hithpael) scatter |
| the sheep | הַצֹּ֔אן | ha-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) |
| and I will turn | וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י | va-ha-shi-vo-TI | H7725G | to return: returnשׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) … |
| hand my | יָדִ֖י | ya-DI | H3027G | handיָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists |
| on | 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) … |
| the little [ones] | הַצֹּעֲרִֽים׃ | ha-tzo-'a-RIM | H6819 | be littleצָעַר (tsa.ar) 1) to be or grow insignificant, grow small 1a) (Qal) to ge insignificant |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.