Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 11:3

3 ¶ There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds , for their glory is spoiled : a voice of the roaring of young lions ; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled .

'Tis as certain as if present, as sure all these shall howl, as if the things for which they do howl were already acted.

A most bitter, loud, passionate, and dismal howling.

Literally thus, the Enemy having broken in hath driven away, or eaten up their Flocks of Sheep, their Herds, and they undone, howl most bitterly on the Mountains where the eccho more doubles the horrour then the noise. Or figuratively Shepherds are Governours, Magistrates, and civil Officers, together with Priests and Prophets who are over the People as Shepherds over the Flocks.

What was their honour, their safety, their joy is spoiled, taken from them and given to others.

The dismall outcries.

Of men in Authority among the Jews who should have been Shepherds to defend but were as Lions to tear and devour, and which lurkt in Ierusalem, and in the Cities of Iudaea wheres[illegible: 1 letter]ever they could lie in wait to tear the peer and weak.

The great Forests on the Banks of Iordan called here the pride of Iordan, either because of the stately scituation of them; Or because the Prophet would keep the decorum of his Allegory he calls these the pride of Iordan, for that the young Lions were wont to walk proudly, to range over it without fear. So did these men-lions▪ securely prey in Ierusalem and its fellow cities, but these are cut down, and now they must no more range through to seek a prey, so all from the North to the East of the Land of Canaan, is represented as made a spoil▪