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The Restoration of the True People

10 Ask the Lord for rain in the season of the late spring rains[a]—the Lord who causes thunderstorms—and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field. For the household gods[b] have spoken wickedness, the soothsayers have seen a lie, and the dreamers have disclosed emptiness and give comfort in vain. Therefore the people set out like sheep and become scattered because they have no shepherd.[c] “I am enraged at the shepherds and will punish the lead goats.

“For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has brought blessing to his flock, the house of Judah, and will transform them into his majestic warhorse.

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Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 10:1 tn Heb “the latter rain.” This expression refers to the last concentration of heavy rainfall in the spring of the year in Palestine, about March or April. Metaphorically and eschatologically (as here) the “latter rain” speaks of God’s outpouring of blessing in the end times (cf. Hos 6:3; Joel 2:21-25).
  2. Zechariah 10:2 tn The Hebrew word תְּרָפִים (terafim, “teraphim”) refers to small images used as means of divination and in other occult practices (cf. Gen 31:19, 34-35; 1 Sam 19:13, 16; Hos 3:4). A number of English versions transliterate the Hebrew term (cf. ASV, NAB, NASB, NRSV) or simply use the generic term “idols” (so KJV, NIV, TEV).
  3. Zechariah 10:2 sn Shepherd is a common OT metaphor for the king (see esp. Jer 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 23:1-2; 50:6; Ezek 34).

10 Ask of Yahweh rain in the spring time,
    Yahweh who makes storm clouds,
    and he gives rain showers to everyone for the plants in the field.
For the teraphim[a] have spoken vanity,
    and the diviners have seen a lie;
    and they have told false dreams.
They comfort in vain.
    Therefore they go their way like sheep.
    They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
My anger is kindled against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the male goats;
    For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah,
    and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:2 teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.