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The Idol Shepherd of

Zechariah

In the Book of Zechariah there is a little known prophecy about one who
is called the "idol shepherd." This man is clearly the chief shepherd of
an idolatrous and apostate church system, and he himself is an idol or
object of worship within this system. In all the centuries since
Zechariah, only one personality, or dynasty of men, fulfills this proph-
ecy -- THE POPES OF ROME. This article uncovers the truth about the
"idol shepherd" and the blasphemous doctrines he promotes.

John D. Keyser

Most people are acquainted with the concept of Yeshua as the Good Shepherd who gave up
his life for the redemption of his Father's sheep. The sheep know his voice and they follow Yeshua
as he leads them to eternal life -- and no man can pluck them out of his hand. However, in the Book
of Zechariah we find a little known, and even less understood, prophecy about one who is de-
scribed as being the "idol shepherd," one whose entire description is the direct opposite of all that
the Bible teaches us in relation to the Good Shepherd --

And YEHOVAH said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off,
neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that that standeth
still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol
shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye:
his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened (Zechariah
11:15-17).

The Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders these verses as follows:

And YEHOVAH said to me, Take yet to thee shepherd's implements belonging to an
unskillful shepherd. For, behold, I will raise up a shepherd against the land: he shall not
visit that which is perishing, and he shall not seek that which is scattered, and he shall not
heal that which is bruised, nor guide that which is whole: but he shall devour the flesh of
the choice ones, and shall dislocate the joints of their necks. Alas, for the vain shep-
herds that have forsaken the sheep! the sword shall be upon the arms of such a one, and
upon his right eye: his arm shall be completely withered, and his right eye shall be utterly
darkened.

Then, in the Jewish Tanakh, we read --

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