זכריה, פרק י״א, פסוק ה׳

The imagery of a flock destined for slaughter paints a tragic picture of a vulnerable, abandoned nation. Exposed to cruelty and exploitation, the people are surrounded by those who act purely out of self-interest, lacking any emotional connection or moral restraint. Those who purchase this doomed flock slaughter them without a trace of guilt or remorse. Historically, these buyers represent the Babylonians, who exiled the people and killed them without ever considering their actions to be sinful [רש״י]. From a practical standpoint, because these animals are meant specifically for slaughter rather than for their wool or long-term growth, the buyer feels no sense of personal loss or wrongdoing when putting them to death [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

The exploitation continues with those who sell the flock, who actually thank God for the wealth they accumulate from the transaction. Unlike a regular flock, where a person grows wealthy by keeping and nurturing the animals, a flock marked for death only generates profit when it is sold [מלבי״ם]. The seller might also simply be relieved to rid himself of an unprofitable flock, eager to use the money to purchase something of actual value [מצודת דוד]. This creates a dark irony, as a wicked individual praises God for profits steeped in human blood. Such a person might truly believe his cruel actions align with God's will. Alternatively, it may simply reflect a flawed human nature where people instinctively thank God for any financial gain, much like a thief who prays for success right before breaking into a home [רד״ק].

The tragedy is compounded by the shepherds, who show absolutely no pity for the animals under their care. These caretakers might represent human leaders, such as the kings of foreign nations [אבן עזרא]. They could also be the everyday shepherds who completely neglect their duties, refusing to lead the animals to good pastures or protect them from harm, simply because they know the flock is already condemned to die [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A more profound perspective suggests that the shepherd is God Himself. In this view, God has completely withdrawn His mercy from the nation, leaving them to fall into the hands of the very enemies who buy and sell them. Although the term for shepherds is plural, it is understood as an expression of honor and majesty referring exclusively to God, a well-known feature in biblical language [אבן עזרא, רד״ק].