Zechariah 11:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It seems unnecessary to elaborate on each of the tragedies that struck the Jewish cities and their people due to their rejection of Christ; those interested may consult the writings of Josephus for a detailed account.

The focus shifts to those who are genetically from Israel. Why does he liken Judah to Lebanon? Lebanon is a mountainous region adorned with lush vegetation and expansive forests. Likewise, the land of Judah is populous with countless inhabitants, including priests and leaders from the tribe of Judah, well-known to all for their esteemed authority and renowned like the tallest cedars or cypress trees. Because they acted wickedly toward Christ—taking "the key of knowledge" and neither entering nor allowing others to enter (Luke 11:52), they ultimately crucified Him despite recognizing Him as the heir (Luke 20:14)—they faced total destruction, along with their homes and cities.

Thus, as noted earlier, he refers to Judea as Lebanon and likens its leaders to the tallest trees, elevated above the rest, excessively so. The ease of the city's downfall is captured by the phrase "Open, O Lebanon, your doors, so the fire may consume your cedars; let the pines lament, for the cedar has fallen.” By naming Lebanon, equating the Jewish land to a mountain, he should have correspondingly compared the inhabitants to pines and oaks. The reference is evidently to the people, as indicated by the statement that "the nobles are greatly impoverished."

The nature of this impoverishment is somewhat clarified by saying, "Let the pines weep, for the cedar has fallen." When the Romans devastated the cities, many of the distinguished inhabitants were captured. Those who had not yet suffered this fate mourned for the captives, wept for themselves, and were filled with despair and fear, as they would soon share the same fate. This, I believe, captures the essence of “Weeping for the pines, for the cedar has fallen.” The mention of the oaks of Basanitidae likely refers to the people of Jerusalem, as Basanitidae is a region in Judea known for its fertility and towering trees. Since many prominent individuals were in Jerusalem—particularly priests and leaders of the people—they are called the oaks of Basanitida, mourning for the destruction of the rich forest around them: they understood that many from the wider region had perished, struck down in battle by their fierce enemies.

The dense forest he refers to that was cut down can likewise be understood to signify the very populace of Jerusalem, who were perishing from famine and warfare, while the oaks of Basanitida—the rulers—grieved for them.

The term Lebanon, to which the prophet directs his words with, Open your gates, is clearly a reference to the temple of Judah, which was restored and eventually completed by Zerubbabel, and according to the prophet's declaration, was destined to be destroyed by Vespasian and Titus. As the temple is allegorically referred to as Lebanon, the imagery of cedars, firs, and oaks of Bashan, along with the lush forest, symbolizes the rulers, priests, and people of Judah. When Lebanon opened its gates, it permitted the Roman army’s entry, leading to the destruction of its cedars—indicative of either comprehensive devastation by fire or the demise of the leaders and nobles during the enemy attack. The spruces mourn, as the cedar has fallen; this signifies the leaders and priests lamenting collectively due to their downfall.

What he initially conveyed with some restraint he now articulates more clearly: For even the noble ones are laid waste. I seek understanding of these cedars of Lebanon set ablaze, these firs that are foretold to weep, these pines that have been overthrown: The exalted, he states, are desolate. Mourn, you oaks of Bashan—that is, those associated with dishonor and despair—for the strongest forest, referenced in Hebrew as besor, which is rendered as plentiful in trees in the LXX, has been felled; for the temple, once viewed as an impenetrable fortress, reconstructed by various kings and later by Herod, was razed to the ground by the Romans.

Some, misinterpreting this passage, attribute the names Lebanon, firs, pines, oaks of Bashan, and the abundant forest to the hostile forces, which the prophet Ezekiel referred to as Asur and Pharaoh: Behold Asur, a cedar in Lebanon, beautiful with branches and rich foliage, towering in stature, with its apex among the clouds; the waters nourished it, and the abyss lifted it up (Ezekiel 31:3-4). It is believed that these refer to either aggressive powers or certain proud individuals and rulers, as also seen in the Psalm: The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars; the Lord will shatter the cedars of Lebanon (Psalms 28:5), and likewise in Isaiah: The day of the Lord of Hosts will be upon every arrogant and proud man, and upon every lofty man (Isaiah 2:12), including every high cedar of Lebanon and every oak of Bashan (Isaiah 2:13). Others assert that it is foretold of this same Lebanon: Lebanon shall fall along with the lofty ones. However, we shall adhere to the prior interpretation, particularly as the latter's meaning aligns with what we have previously suggested.