Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 82:2 (Fall 2020)
Article: Zechariah 11: Allusions And The Messiah
Author: Matthew Seufert

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Zechariah 11: Allusions And The Messiah

Matthew Seufert

Matthew Seufert teaches New Testament and Apologetics at Rockbridge Academy in Crownsville, MD.

This article explores several of the allusions of Zech 11. It pays particular attention to the contexts of these allusions in order to offer potential solutions to some of the chapter’s key exegetical questions. In addition, it proposes that the general effect produced by the allusions, in Zechariah’s reversal of previous promises, affirmation of previous judgments, and consistent evocation of Messianic contexts, is a pronounced longing and need for the coming Savior.

Zechariah 11 has been closely scrutinized, and a major part of scholarly discussion asks many of the same questions: What is the historical identity, if any, of the three shepherds? The first or good shepherd? The worthless shepherd? The sheep traders? Does the chapter refer to the past, present, or future? To what genre does this chapter (especially vv. 4–17) belong? Did the prophet actually perform these acts? Do vv. 1–3 pronounce judgment on the leaders of the nations or Israel? Are they the conclusion of ch. 10, introduction of 11, both, or neither? In vv. 7 and 11 should we read “surely/particularly the afflicted of the flock” based on the MT (לָכֵן עֲנִיֵּי הַצֹּאן) or divide the letters of the MT differently and read “by/for the merchants/Canaanites of the flock” based loosely on the LXX (οἱ Χαναναῖοι and εἰς τὴν Χαναανῖτιν)?1 In v. 13 should we read “to the potter,” following the MT (אֶל־הַיּצֵר), or “to the treasury,” following the Peshitta, both of which seem to be picked up by Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 27:3–7)? Is the span of “one month” in v. 8 in which

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the three shepherds are destroyed to be taken literally? Are the 30 shekels a large sum, an insultingly low sum, or a fair sum? What does it mean that they are thrown to the potter or treasury? To what covenant does “my covenant which I had m...