Zechariah 11:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It seems unnecessary to detail the numerous misfortunes that afflicted the Jewish cities or their people due to their rejection of Christ; those interested can refer to Josephus's writings to gain a thorough understanding.

The discourse now shifts to the physical descendants of Israel. Why does he liken Judah to Lebanon? Because Lebanon is a mountainous region rich in lush vegetation and extensive forests. Similarly, Judah is populous, teeming with innumerable residents, including priests and leaders from the tribe of Judah, who were celebrated for their noble status and well-known throughout the land, much like the tallest cedars or cypress trees. However, due to their ungodliness toward Christ – having taken away "the key of knowledge," refusing to enter themselves while blocking others from entering (Luke 11:52), and ultimately crucifying Him despite recognizing Him as the heir (Luke 20:14) – they justly faced total destruction, along with their homes and cities.

Thus, as I mentioned, he refers to Judea as Lebanon and likens its people to the tallest trees, elevated above others, but too high for their own good. The ease with which the city fell and was destroyed - overtaken by the invading Roman army like a forest engulfed in flames - is captured in the phrase, "Open, O Lebanon, your gates, that the fire may consume your cedars, and let the pines mourn, for the cedar has fallen." By referring to Lebanon, he likens the land of the Jews to a great mountain, indicating that the inhabitants should be compared to pines and oaks.

It is evident that the focus is on the people, as mentioned: “the nobles are greatly impoverished.” The nature of this impoverishment is further illustrated by the phrase: “Let the pines weep, for the cedar has fallen.” When the Romans ravaged the Jewish cities, many noble citizens were taken captive. Those who escaped felt mournful for the captives and grieved for themselves, fearing that they too would soon face the same fate. The statement signifies their sorrow over the fallen cedars, acknowledging the loss. The mention of the oaks of the Basanitid likely refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as Basanitid is a region in Judea known for its fertile soil and towering trees. Since many of the most esteemed individuals, including priests and community leaders, resided in Jerusalem, they are likened to the oaks of Basanitid, mourning the destruction of the dense forest, knowing that many inhabitants throughout the land had perished under the onslaught of their enemies. The "dense forest" that was cut down can be understood as the people of Jerusalem themselves, who succumbed to famine and war while the leaders of Basanitid grieved for their fate.

The reference to Lebanon, to which the prophet calls out with the command to open its gates, certainly signifies the temple of Judah, which was restored and ultimately completed under Zerubbabel. According to the prophet's declaration, it was destined to face destruction at the hands of Vespasian and Titus. The figurative use of the term Lebanon to describe the temple leads the prophet to continue in this vein, employing the imagery of cedars, firs, oaks of Bashan, and the once-abundant forest to symbolize the leaders, priests, and people of Judah. Lebanon opened its gates, allowing the Roman army to enter, resulting in fire reducing the cedars, which could either indicate total devastation by flames or signify the downfall of the leaders during the invasion.

The trees of the forest lament, recognizing that their eminent ones have fallen. The prophet expresses this more directly, stating that even those of high standing are laid waste. I seek to understand the meaning behind these cedars of Lebanon that are set ablaze, these firs that are foretold to mourn, and the pines that have been uprooted: the eminent, he declares, are desolate. Mourn, O oaks of Bashan, symbolizing lack of glory and confusion, for the strongest of forests—denoted in Hebrew as besor—has been laid low; the temple once regarded as unassailable, reestablished by various kings and later by Herod, has been utterly demolished by the Romans.

Some, not grasping the depth of this passage, assign the names of Lebanon, firs, pines, and oaks of Bashan, along with the phrase strong forest, to the opposing forces, which the prophet Ezekiel also addressed using the names Asur and Pharaoh: Behold, Asur, a cedar of Lebanon, resplendent with branches and dense foliage, towering in height, nourished by water and lifted by the deep (Ezekiel 31:3-4), along with other affirmations regarding either Asur or Pharaoh. This interpretation may refer to hostile entities or to certain arrogant individuals and leaders, as noted in the Psalms: The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars; the Lord will break the cedars of Lebanon (Psalms 28:5), and elsewhere, The day of the Lord of Hosts will be upon every proud and harmful man, and upon every exalted individual (Isaiah 2:12), continuing with, And upon every lofty cedar of Lebanon, and upon every tree, the oak of Bashan (Isaiah 2:13). There are also views asserting that Lebanon itself is predicted to fall alongside the high and mighty. Nevertheless, we shall adhere to the former understanding, especially since it aligns with the meaning elaborated upon.