Striking the Shepherd. Early Christian Versions and Interpretations of Zechariah 13,7

This paper traces the development of the textual form and the interpretation of Zech 13,7 in the earliest known Christian texts in which this OT passage is quotedor alluded to (Mark 14,27; Matt 26,31; John 16,32; Barn. 5,12; Justin, Dial 53, 5-6). It starts with some observations on the Hebrew text and on some of the ancientversions, notably the LXX, which offers a peculiar rendering. Next, the early Chrisstianversions and interpretations are discussed, and their relations are detected. Obscure apocalyptic texts often generate multiple meanings. Zech 13,7 proves tobe no exceptio.