On the vagueness of prophets: Zechariah and the 30 silver somethings

[usregimechange]

Zechariah 11:12-13 is said to predict Judas' betrayal of Jesus.

The author of Zechariah in this chapter is describing, correct me if I am wrong, how the "good shepherd" has all but given up leading the flock presumably the Jews following the exile. There is no mention of Jesus of Judas Iscariot in Zechariah. In place of specific references to them Zechariah 11 refers to the following in order of appearance:

1). "O pine tree"
2). "the cedar"
3). "stately trees"
4). "oaks of Bashan"
5). "the dense forest"
6). "the shepherds"
7). "rich pastures"
8). "the lions"
9). "the lush thicket"
10. "the flock"
11). "buyers"
12). "Those who sell them"
13). "Their own shepherds"

etc...

We are not sure who is to be involved though the context would indicate a more contemporary (to Zechariah) group of folks. When was this predicted to occur? The author doesn't say. Where? The author doesn't say.

Would not an actual prophet want to use as many details as possible? I mean our eternal souls are said to be in the balance.

I contend that prophets lack specificity for a compelling reason, to be as far from verification as possible.