Zechariah 10:3

“Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, etc.] The Targum interprets it of “kings”; as the “goats” of “princes”, in the next clause; by whom, according to Jarchi, Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Abarbinel, are meant the kings of Greece; but rather the antichristian kings are designed, the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication with the whore of Rome, which is the cause of the anger of the Lord being kindled: or else ecclesiastical rulers are meant, the Romish clergy, the chief of them, as cardinals, archbishops, bishops, etc. who may fitly be represented by the shepherds of Israel in the times of the prophets for their name, professing to be of Israel, or to be Christians; and by…”

“against the shepherds--the civil rulers of Israel and Judah who abetted idolatry. punished--literally, "visited upon." The same word "visited," without the upon, is presently after used in a good sense to heighten the contrast. goats--he-goats. As "shepherds" described what they ought to have been, so "he-goats" describes what they were, the emblem of headstrong wantonness and offensive lust (Isa 14:9, Margin; Eze 34:17; Dan 8:5; Mat 25:33). The he-goats head the flock. They who are first in crime will be first in punishment. visited--in mercy (Luk 1:68). as his goodly horse--In Zac 9:13 they were represented under the image of bows and arrows, here under that of their commander-in-chief,…”

“Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds - As Ezekiel continued, “Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand” Ezekiel 34:10. I punished the he-goats - The evil powerful are called the “he-goats of the earth: Isaiah 14:9; and in Ezekiel God says, “I will judge between cattle and cattle, between rams and he-goats” Ezekiel 34:17; and our Lord speaks of the reprobate as goats, the saved as sheep Matthew 25:32. God “visited upon these in His displeasure, “because” He “visited His flock, the people of Judah,” to see to their needs and to relieve them. And hath made them as the goodly horse - As, before, He said, “I made thee as the…”

“The shepherds - Officers in the church and state. The goats - The officers among them, who were like he - goats, that push, and wound, and trample under foot the feebler cattle. Visited - In mercy. As his goodly horse - Hath given them strength and courage. Zechariah 10:4”

“10:3 My anger burns: Israel is often the object of this divine wrath, incited by disobedience to covenant stipulations or by lapses into idolatry (see Exod 22:22-24; Deut 6:14-15; Josh 7:1; Judg 2:20; Heb 10:31). • these leaders (or these male goats): This is a figure of speech for princes, since male goats typically lead goat herds.”

“anger: Zac 11:5-8, Zac 11:17; Isa 56:9-12; Jer 10:21, Jer 23:1, Jer 23:2, Jer 50:6; Eze 34:2, Eze 34:7-10 and I: Eze 34:16, Eze 34:17, Eze 34:20, Eze 34:21; Mat 25:32, Mat 25:33 punished: Heb. visited upon, Isa 10:12, Isa 24:21; Jer 11:22, Jer 25:12; Zep 1:8 \*marg. visited: Exo 4:31; Rut 1:6; Zep 2:7; Luk 1:68; Pe1 2:12 as: Pro 21:31; Sol 1:9 Zechariah 10:4”

“To this there is appended in Zac 10:3. the promise that Jehovah will take possession of His flock, and redeem it out of the oppression of the evil shepherds. Zac 10:3. "My wrath is kindled upon the shepherds, and the goats shall I punish; for Jehovah of hosts visits His flock, the house of Judah, and makes it like His state-horse in the war. Zac 10:4. From Him will be corner-stone, from Him the nail, from Him the war-bow; from Him will every ruler go forth at once." When Israel lost its own shepherds, it came under the tyranny of bad shepherds. These were the heathen governors and tyrants. Against these the wrath of Jehovah is kindled, and He will punish them. There is no material difference…”