Unlike Ezekiel, who acted out the reunification of the Hebrew kingdoms, Zechariah acted out their division (Ezekiel 37:15–19). Zechariah showed this division by cutting two staffs in half (see also Zechariah 11:14). Cutting the staffs symbolized the broken covenant between God and his people (Zechariah 11:11) and the broken unity between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel (11:14).
A covenant between the Lord and all nations is otherwise unknown. Zechariah might have been announcing the end of the covenant that bound Israel to God as his people (compare Hosea 1:6–9; see study note on Zechariah 13:9).