Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.
The people who own them kill them without feeling any guilt about it. The ones selling them are like 'Thank God, I'm getting paid!' And even their own leaders who should be protecting them? They couldn't care less.
When leaders treat people like products instead of protecting them, something's seriously broken.
📚 Historical Context
Zechariah was a prophet who ministered to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile, around 520 BC, urging them to rebuild their community and remain faithful to God amid ongoing challenges. In Zechariah 11, he uses a powerful metaphor of shepherds and flocks to condemn the corrupt leaders of Israel who exploited and oppressed the people for personal gain, representing the broader historical pattern of unfaithful leadership during this post-exilic period. This verse specifically highlights the moral blindness of these leaders, who profited from injustice without remorse or pity.
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