What does Zechariah 7:11 mean?
"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." - Zechariah 7:11
The Bible verse Zechariah 7:11 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
To understand the meaning and context of this verse, it is important to explore the historical and cultural background of the book of Zechariah. The book of Zechariah is a part of the Old Testament and is attributed to the prophet Zechariah, who lived in the 6th century BC and was contemporaneous with Haggai and Malachi. Zechariah's prophecies are set in the post-exilic period following the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity, and his messages were directed towards the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and leaders of the community.
In Zechariah 7, the prophet addresses the issue of ritualistic fasting and religious observances. The people of Judah had been practicing outward religious rituals, including fasting, but they had become hollow and devoid of true spiritual significance. The verse in question, Zechariah 7:11, is a stern rebuke to the people for their refusal to heed the message of the prophets and their hardened hearts.
The verse begins with the phrase, "But they refused to hearken," indicating the stubbornness and resistance of the people to God's word and the messages of the prophets. This refusal to listen and obey is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as the Israelites frequently turned away from God and His commandments.
The imagery of "pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears" further emphasizes the people's deliberate rejection and rebellion against God. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, pulling away the shoulder was a sign of obstinacy and resistance, indicating that the people had turned their backs on God and His teachings. Similarly, the act of stopping their ears symbolizes their refusal to listen and be receptive to the voice of God.
The consequences of their actions are made explicit in the latter part of the verse, "that they should not hear." By closing themselves off to God's message, the people had chosen to remain ignorant and spiritually deaf, thereby cutting themselves off from the blessings and guidance that come from a relationship with God.
In a broader theological context, this verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of obedience and humility before God. It highlights the dangers of spiritual obstinacy and the consequences of rejecting God's word. The imagery of pulling away the shoulder and stopping their ears serves as a powerful warning against hardheartedness and a lack of receptivity to God's teachings.
The themes of obedience, repentance, and spiritual receptivity are central to this verse and resonate throughout the entire book of Zechariah. The prophet's message calls for a genuine transformation of the heart rather than empty religious rituals. The verse serves as a timeless admonition for believers to remain humble and open to God's will, and to heed His voice with obedience and reverence.
In conclusion, Zechariah 7:11 from the King James Version communicates a powerful message about the consequences of spiritual obstinacy and the refusal to heed God's word. It serves as a call to humility, obedience, and receptivity to the voice of God. The verse's imagery and themes continue to offer valuable lessons for believers today, reminding them of the importance of a genuine and open-hearted relationship with God.
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Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." - Zechariah 7:11
Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
Zechariah 13:7
Zechariah 11:7 - "And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8
Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"
Zechariah 11:11 - "And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD."
Psalm 24:7-11
Zechariah 11:7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.
Zechariah 11:4 - "Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;"
Ezra 8:11 - "And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males."
Zechariah 12:11 - "In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon."
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 11:1 - "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars."
Zechariah 8:11 - "But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 11:15 - "¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 14:11 - "And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited."
Zechariah 11:3 - "¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."
1 Chronicles 26:11 - "Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen."
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
Zechariah 6:11 - "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Luke 1:11-12
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
"And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD." - Zechariah 11:11