Thus said the LORD my God: The words are closely similar to the formula “Thus says the LORD [of hosts]” used often elsewhere as a higher level discourse marker (compare Hag 1.2, 7; Hag 2.11; Zech 7.9; Zech 8.2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 19, 20, 23). They indicate here that a new section is beginning. The expression, the LORD my God (rather than “the LORD of hosts,” which occurs here in the Septuagint but is not followed by modern translators), is unusual, but does not affect the status of the whole clause as a discourse marker. In some languages it may not be possible to attach a possessive to the word God, and in such cases translators may have to say “the LORD, the God I worship [or, serve].” In extreme cases it may be necessary to omit the possessive and simply say “the LORD God,” but this should be avoided if possible (compare 14.5). The direct quotation of the LORD’s words extends to the end of verse 6.

Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter: Some translators focus on the activity of the shepherd rather than his status, and instead of Become shepherd of the flock, say “Pasture the sheep” (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible), “Pasture the flock” (New International Version), “Fatten the flock” (New English Bible), or “Tend the sheep” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In some languages it may be more appropriate to say “You must become a shepherd….” Good News Translation builds in a hint about the interpretation of the whole passage by saying, “Act the part of the shepherd….” This may be difficult to translate in many languages, and in any case it is not certain that the addition is legitimate. Probably a majority of scholars would not object to it. There is no “correct” answer, and translators have to make their own decisions. The word shepherd is a keyword throughout this section, and it is also a common metaphor both for leaders and for the LORD himself (compare Psa 23; Jer 23.1-4; Ezek 34).

The flock doomed to slaughter: In this clause we encounter the problem that words sometimes mean more than they say literally. The English word doomed carries negative overtones, and may suggest that the sheep are to be slaughtered as a punishment which they have deserved. There is no proof that the Hebrew (literally “the flock of the slaughter” as in King James Version) has this sense, and most other modern English versions avoid it. Many simply assume that the flock was being raised for meat and translators are advised to follow this view. Sample renderings include “the sheep bred for slaughter” (Jerusalem Bible); “the sheep for slaughter” (New Jerusalem Bible); “the flock for slaughter” (New English Bible); “the sheep meant for slaughter” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “a flock of sheep that are going to be butchered” (Good News Translation). A few versions use expressions capable of a more sinister interpretation, but not demanding it: “the flock marked for slaughter” (New International Version) and “the flock destined for slaughter” (Revised English Bible). Or translators may say something like “the animals that they plan to slaughter.” Compare a similar expression in Jer 12.3.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .