Christian Churches of God
No. F038
Commentary
on Zechariah: Introduction and Part 1
(Edition 4.0 20060820-20120114-20140905-20230729)
Chapters 1-10
Christian Churches of God
(Copyright
© 2006, 2012, 2014, 2023 Wade Cox)
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Commentary
on Zechariah: Introduction and Part 1
Introduction
The Book of
Zechariah is of great significance to the Restoration of Israel under the
Messiah in the Last Days. See also Part II for the future of Israel and Judah
in the Last Days from Zechariah and the NT texts.
The prophet
Zechariah (Remembered of Yahovah) was
son of Berechiah (Blessed of Yahovah)
and grandson of Iddo.
He prophesied in
the reign of Darius the Persian or Darius II of Persia at the building of the
Temple. His prophecies were to cover the period from the building of the Second
Temple to its furbishing and over its life and destruction. The prophecy then
goes on to the Messiah and the construction of the Church of God, which is the
Spiritual Temple, up until the return of the Messiah. It then deals with the
construction of the final administration in Jerusalem over the millennial
system of Messiah. The work is highly significant to the Last Days and the
nations that attack Judah.
The structure of
the book runs in sections:
Section 1 A.
1:1-6 Prophecy from Year 2 of Darius
B. 1:7-6:15 Prophecy with Symbols (Eight Visions)
C. 7:1-8:23 Prophecy from Year 4 of Darius
Section 2 A.
9:1-10:12 The First Burden revealed
B. 11:1-17 Prophecy with Symbols
C. 12:1-14:21 The Second Burden revealed
Timing of Darius
and the Prophets
Darius II assumed
the throne in late 424 or early 423 BCE. The decree was issued to commence
construction in 422 BCE (Ezra 6:1 and 4:24) (i.e. his second year). The 70
weeks of years commences from this date. From Ezra 5 it appears that Haggai and
Zechariah prophesy in 423 BCE and 422 BCE. 70 weeks of years commences from
423/22 BCE (i.e. first year of the new Jubilee period). Construction was
completed in the sixth year of Darius the Persian (Ezra 6:15) in 3 Adar i.e.
March 418 BCE. Darius dies in the period from the end 405 to the spring 404
(see the paper The Sign of Jonah and the History
of the Reconstruction of the Temple (No. 013): Bullinger’s chronology
is wrong in this regard as are the relevant appendices).
This prophecy is
thus tied to the reconstruction of the Temple and forms part of the Key of
David system of prophecy and administration leading to the Last Days and the
final reconstruction of the Temple (see
Rule of the Kings: Part III:
Solomon and the Key of David (No. 282C)).
Section one occurs
at the commencement of construction and ends in year 2 of the construction at
the halfway point. The second section is then given over the last half of the
construction. Each section thus covers two of the four years of the
construction and is tied in prophecy to the restoration of Israel and Judah
under Messiah, and the Church that is mentioned here in the text as ruling with
Messiah at Jerusalem.
Haggai also is
involved in prophecy over the period as we have noted.
Ezra and Nehemiah
have not yet returned, which they do in the reign of Artaxerxes II at the end
of the seven weeks of years. Artaxerxes II issues the provisioning decree for
the Temple and Nehemiah builds the walls of Jerusalem and fortifies it. Ezra
died in 323 BCE in the same year as Alexander the Great. The canon was compiled
by 321 and subsequently declared closed.
Zechariah Chs. 1-10 (RSV)
Chapter 1
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah the son of Berechi'ah, son of Iddo, the prophet, saying, 2"The LORD was very angry with your fathers. 3Therefore say to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. 4Be not like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, `Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or heed me, says the LORD. 5Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live for ever? 6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us." 7On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah the son of Berechi'ah, son of Iddo, the prophet; and Zechari'ah said, 8"I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9Then I said, `What are these, my lord?' The angel who talked with me said to me, `I will show you what they are.' 10So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, `These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.' 11And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, `We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.' 12Then the angel of the LORD said, `O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these seventy years?' 13And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little they furthered the disaster. 16Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17Cry again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.'" 18And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 19And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these?" And he answered me, "These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem." 20Then the LORD showed me four smiths. 21And I said, "What are these coming to do?" He answered, "These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man raised his head; and these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it."
Intent of Chapter
1
Chapter 1 deals
with the establishment of the prophecy and the time-frame over which the city
was to be restored but did not have peace, and the Temple could not be built.
God was displeased with Judah because they had not taught the statutes and the
Laws of God correctly, nor had they followed them. The earth was at rest but
the House of Judah did not have rest for seventy years. God was displeased with
the heathen nations that felt secure. As we see from the text, He was a little
displeased but they added to the punishment and affliction, which God did not
ask them to do. Then the four horns that conspired to scatter Judah, Israel and
Jerusalem were to be dealt with, and the four carpenters who are the servants
of God have come to disperse the four horns that conspired to scatter Judah.
The term Lord
of Hosts or Yahovah Sabaioth is mentioned fifty-three times in this
book: forty-four times in chapters 1-8 and nine times in chapters 9-14. On
twenty-nine occasions it is associated with the oracle of Yahovah Sabaioth
where “Saith the Lord of Hosts” = (is) the oracle of Yahovah Sabaioth. Saith
the Lord = (is) Yahovah’s Oracle.
The structure of
the eight visions until Zechariah 6:15 runs as follows:
1st
Vision (Zech. 1:7-17) Invisible Forces, Horses.
2nd
Vision (Zech. 1:18-21) External Enemies or Horns.
3rd
Vision (Zech. 2:1-13) Yahovah’s purpose with man is shown.
4th
Vision (Zech. 3:1-10) Joshua the Branch is revealed.
5th
Vision (Zech. 4:1-14) Yahovah’s purpose in the Lampstand is revealed.
6th and
7th Visions (Zech. 5:1-4, 11) External Enemies, the Flying Roll and
Ephah.
8th
Vision (Zech. 6:1-6) Invisible Forces, Horses.
Conclusion (Zech.
6:9-15): Ends with reference to Joshua the Branch.
The setting is
with Israel in dispersion. The Gentiles are in possession of Israel at the time
of the end. Yahovah is declaring his intention to intervene for Jerusalem (vv.
16,17; Isa. 40:1-5). The man in chapter 1 is Adonai of verse 9 and the Angel of
Yahovah in verses 11,12 and we see the prophet told in his answer. The riders
of verse 8 all report to this being who is the Adonai of Israel of Deuteronomy
32:8 (RSV). The term “among” has relevance to chapter 6:1.
vv. 7-12 Three months later the first section was completed.
The text shows the
period of the trouble. It has reference also to chapter 7:9; Psalm 102:13;
Isaiah 14:1; 49:13. This reference is not to the Church, which is the mother of
us all, but to the city of Jerusalem itself.
vv. 13-15 Thus God was to deal with Judah, but the nations that added injury on
injury when they had no business doing so angered God and He will deal with
them.
This section was
to look towards yet another dispersion. Here He is speaking of His house being
built upon it, which is now taking place. However, we will see that this
prophecy is to span some two and a half millennia and span two advents of the
Messiah and his death.
Jerusalem will be
measured with the purpose of reorganising it for building. This follows the
Measuring of the Temple, which is the Church that we saw in Revelation 11:2ff.
vv. 16-21 God shows here that He will deal with the horns or powers that have
hurt Judah and Israel and Jerusalem. This is not a reference to the Church (cf.
Bullinger, Companion Bible note to v. 16). These four powers are raised
against the nations to deal with them; literally to terrify them.
Chapter 2
And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length." 3And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, 4and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, `Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. 5For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'" 6Ho! ho! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, says the LORD. 7Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. 8For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: 9"Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. 10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD. 11And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem." 13Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Intent of Chapter
2
Chapter 2 shows
that Judah is to be populated and God will be a wall of fire around about her
and the glory in the midst of her. The text shows that God, Yahovah of Hosts,
sent Yahovah of Israel to Jerusalem to protect her (Zech. 2:8). Many nations
shall be joined to the Lord in that day and shall be God’s people and Yahovah
will dwell in the midst of them. The Lord will inherit Judah, which is his
portion in the Holy Land and shall again choose Jerusalem (cf. Deut. 32:8 RSV).
vv. 1-10 Notice here that Yahovah of Hosts sent this Yahovah who will dwell in
Jerusalem. He says that then we will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent him.
In other words this Yahovah is not Yahovah of Hosts but the Yahovah of Psalm
45:6-7 and Hebrews 1:8-9 sent to Israel by God. This is the Yahovah that was
given Israel as his inheritance in Deuteronomy 32:8 (see RSV for correct
translation). The words “apple of My eye” were changed to “His eye” by the
Sopherim allegedly for reasons of anthropomorphism. Yahovah of Hosts sent this
Yahovah for “His own Glory”.
The warning is
given to those who dwell with the daughter of Babylon to escape from the North.
Zechariah is speaking far into the future. Babylon has fallen already at this
time and is subject to the Medes and Persians and has been for a century. He is speaking of the Last Days and the
daughter of Babylon referred to in the other prophecies and by the Church.
vv. 11-13 We know this to be the case because the prophecy then declares the
union of many nations to Judah, which has not happened even from the first
advent. He declares he will dwell in the midst of them and they will know that
the Lord of Hosts has sent him to them. This being can only be Jesus Christ
from his second advent.
Note the
description of inheriting Judah as His portion. Israel is his inheritance but
Judah was the tribe of Messiah. This being, Yahovah of Israel, can only be
Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.
Chapter 3
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?" 3Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 4And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel." 5And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments; and the angel of the LORD was standing by. [cf. Ps. 103:21] 6And the angel of the LORD enjoined Joshua, 7"Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men of good omen: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. 9For behold, upon the stone which I have set before Joshua, upon a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. 10In that day, says the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree."
Intent of Chapter
3
In Zechariah chapter
3, The Lord God shows how the sequence of the establishment of the end days
occurs in that the High Priest carries the name of Joshua, as did the Messiah
who was the Branch. Satan is placed at his right hand to resist him and not to
support him. Joshua is given clean garments and his old garments are taken
away. The followers of the High Priest that sit before him are men to be
wondered at. The Lord God states that He will bring forward the Branch who is
Messiah. The Lord God says that the stone laid before Joshua has seven eyes on
the one stone, meaning there are seven eyes on every stone, and we know from
Scripture that they are the seven spirits of God that also represent the seven
angels of the seven churches. Thus, the seven spirits of God are present in
every stone in the Temple, and in the seven churches of God, and there are
elements of each church in all seven churches. (vv. 1-9)
It is God that
engraves the stones with the seven eyes, which are the seven spirits. God
removes the iniquity of the land in one day. He did that through the Messiah
and enshrined the seven spirits in the seven churches.
Verse 10 says: “In
that day said the Lord of Hosts you will call every man his neighbour under the
vine and under the fig tree.”
This sequence
reflects the establishment of the churches over time and brings us to the Day
of the Lord, which is the day referred to in verse 10 as: “In that day”.
Specifically the
High Priest of Israel must comply with the Laws of God. This charge is given by
God to Joshua, High Priest of Israel. If he does not follow the Laws of God he
is disqualified from being High Priest.
Chapter 4
And the angel who talked with me came again, and waked me, like a man that is wakened out of his sleep. 2And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps which are on the top of it. 3And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." 4And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" 5Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." 6Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerub'babel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerub'babel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of `Grace, grace to it!'" 8Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9"The hands of Zerub'babel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerub'babel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth." 11Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" 12And a second time I said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the oil is poured out?" 13He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." 14Then he said, "These are the two anointed who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Intent of Chapter
4
Chapter 4 goes on
to deal with the Witnesses who stand on either side of the seven lamps on the
great lampstand. Through Zechariah, God declares that: “It is not by might, nor
by power but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts”. These are the Two Witnesses
that stand beside the Lord of the earth and the seven eyes are the seven
spirits of God that run to and fro throughout the earth. This is not Satan “the
god of this world” (2Cor. 4:4) but Messiah who is to replace him. This is the
section dealing with the Day of the Lord and the triumph of the Witnesses in
the Last Days. (vv. 1-14)
The Two Witnesses
are to come at the end of the sequence and do not refer to anyone from then
until now.
Chapter 5
Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! 2And he said to me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its breadth ten cubits." 3Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land; for every one who steals shall be cut off henceforth according to it, and every one who swears falsely shall be cut off henceforth according to it. 4I will send it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name; and it shall abide in his house and consume it, both timber and stones." 5Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, "Lift your eyes, and see what this is that goes forth." 6And I said, "What is it?" He said, "This is the ephah that goes forth." And he said, "This is their iniquity in all the land." 7And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the ephah! 8And he said, "This is Wickedness." And he thrust her back into the ephah, and thrust down the leaden weight upon its mouth. 9Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings; they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven. 10Then I said to the angel who talked with me, "Where are they taking the ephah?" 11He said to me, "To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it; and when this is prepared, they will set the ephah down there on its base."
Intent of Chapter
5
The scroll of the
Lord, which is the Law of God, will go forth into the houses of the thieves and
liars and will bear witness against them and separate them and cut them off and
destroy their houses to the stones and the bricks.
The nexus of the
Law is to be restored by the Witnesses in the Last Days. Chapter 5 follows
directly on to the section dealing with them in Chapter 4 and does not regress.
It is not restored at present.
The witness of the
Lord was corrupted and made as an ephah of lead and placed in the mouth of the
woman who works iniquity, and the ephah was taken to the land of Shinar, which
is Babylon.
Thus, the false
religious system was given lead for speech and prophecy, and taken to the
system of Babylon and dealt with in the Last Days. These are the antinomians
who teach that the Law of God is done away.
Chapter 6
And again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze. 2The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, 3the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled gray horses. 4Then I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" 5 And the angel answered me, "These are going forth to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth. 6The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go toward the west country, and the dappled ones go toward the south country." 7When the steeds came out, they were impatient to get off and patrol the earth. And he said, "Go, patrol the earth." So they patrolled the earth. 8Then he cried to me, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country." 9And the word of the LORD came to me: 10"Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobi'jah, and Jedai'ah, who have arrived from Babylon; and go the same day to the house of Josi'ah, the son of Zephani'ah. 11Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it upon the head of Joshua, the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest; 12and say to him, `Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall grow up in his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. 13It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD, and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule upon his throne. And there shall be a priest by his throne, and peaceful understanding shall be between them both."' 14And the crown shall be in the temple of the LORD as a reminder to Heldai, Tobi'jah, Jedai'ah, and Josi'ah the son of Zephani'ah. 15"And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD; and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God." (RSV)
Intent of Chapter
6
6:1-8 is the period of the four angels referred to in Revelation 7:1-3. The
four sets of horses are Red, Black and White horses and the fourth chariot is
made up of Bay and Greys (grisled
from Fr. gris or iron-grey).
The blacks go
forth to the north-country, the whites go forth to the west, and the grisled or greys go forth to
the south country, and the bay walks to and fro on the earth.
The term quieted my spirit in the north- country
means: “to cause [my anger] to rest upon my spirit (cf. Bullinger, Companion Bible). God is thus to deal
with the North Country. The Temple of the Lord is to be built and will be built
by people who come from afar (cf. Isa. 60:10) and it is the Branch, named
Joshua, the High Priest that builds the Temple. Thus we had to have the Messiah
named Joshua, meaning salvation. It
shall come to pass if we diligently obey God.
The Branch is
given royal honour in Israel and a priest shall stand by his throne. There
shall be peace between them. The prophecy is for a time in the future where the
Branch will build his Temple bearing royal honour and ruling the priesthood,
and this being can only be the Messiah. The crown shall be in the Temple of the
Lord. The elect are to rule as God and the crown is theirs to rule. This is the
promise to the Church of the Philadelphians of Revelation chapter 3.
The term sprout
forth is Yemach ... yizmach which is literally a branch shall branch forth. Bullinger
notes this fact and also that some codices omit the term.
Chapter 7
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah in the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. 2Now the people of Bethel had sent Share'zer and Reg'em-mel'ech and their men, to entreat the favor of the LORD, 3and to ask the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, "Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?" 4Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me; 5"Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? 6And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? 7When Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, with her cities round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited, were not these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets?" 8And the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah, saying, 9 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy each to his brother, 10do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart." 11But they refused to hearken, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 12They made their hearts like adamant lest they should hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 13"As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear," says the LORD of hosts, 14"and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate."
Intent of Chapter
7
In the Last Days
God will deal with the remnant of Israel. This prophecy was the second or last
of the visions of the first section. It looked forward to the next dispersion
and the desolation of Judea and the fall of the Temple they were in the process
of building. The lesson was simple. Keep the Laws of God and the Covenant or
they would be dispersed again. The Temple would only consist of those keeping
the Covenant as the Laws of God.
In those seventy
years Israel did not fast and mourn for the Laws of God. In the fasts of the
Fifth and Seventh months they did not fast to obey God (vv. 3-7). Note that the
fast of 10 Ab to mourn the destruction of the Temple had been instituted in
Judah by this time (cf. Jer. 52:12,13). The word of the Lord is to execute true
judgment and to show mercy and compassion every man to his neighbour, to not
oppress the widow and the fatherless, nor the stranger or the poor, and let none
of you imagine evil against his brother in his heart (vv. 9-10). But they would
not listen and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears so that they
would not hear. They made their hearts as adamant as stone, like flint, so that
they could not hear the Law of God and the words that the Lord of Hosts had
sent by the former prophets. Because of that, a great wrath came from the Lord
of Hosts (vv. 11-12).
God says that it
will come to pass that, as they closed their ears and would not hear the Law of
God and the former prophets that God closed His ears and would not hear, and
God scattered them abroad throughout all the nations so that the land was
desolate. In the same way, God will deal with those who refuse to hear the Word
of the Lord and the Laws of God in the Last Days (vv. 13-14).
Chapter 8
And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 2"Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. 4Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand for very age. 5And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, says the LORD of hosts? 7Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; 8and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness." 9Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets, since the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in; for I set every man against his fellow. 11But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the LORD of hosts. 12For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong." 14For thus says the LORD of hosts: "As I purposed to do evil to you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts, 15so again have I purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not. 16These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, 17do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, says the LORD." 18And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 19"Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace. 20"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities; 21the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, `Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I am going.' 22Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD. 23Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, `Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" (RSV)
Intent of Chapter
8
Chapter 8 shows
that God forces the return to Zion and gathers His people from the east country
and the west-country. They will dwell in Jerusalem in truth and righteousness
(vv. 2-3) Before the final restoration there was no peace and God set every man
against his neighbour. But in the Last Days He will make the earth give its
fruit and God will do well to Jerusalem and to Judah. God will also restore
Israel with Judah so that they are no longer a curse among the nations (vv. 10-15).
This is what we
are to do. We are to speak the truth to our neighbours and to execute judgment
in truth and peace in our gates. We are to love our neighbours and to make no
false oath (vv. 16-17). Judah will execute the fasts of the Fourth month (on
the 9th when the city was broken up); Fifth month (10 Ab, when the
Temple and the Houses were burnt); Seventh month (3 Tishri when Gedaliah was
slain by Ishmael son of Nethaniah (Jer. 40:8; 41:1-3, 15-18) and Tenth month
(10 Tebeth) when the king of Babylon set his face against Jerusalem (Ezek.
24:1-2)) (vv. 18-19). These are man-made fasts and not the fasts of the Lord.
vv. 20-23 In those days, at the end of this age, men shall take hold of the
robes of Judah out of all the languages on the earth and go to Jerusalem to
pray to the Lord of Hosts (cf. Gen. 26:28; Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2). God’s people
(Israel) will be restored.
Chapter 9
An Oracle The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus. For to the LORD belong the cities of Aram, even as all the tribes of Israel; 2Hamath also, which borders thereon, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3Tyre has built herself a rampart, and heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. 4But lo, the Lord will strip her of her possessions and hurl her wealth into the sea, and she shall be devoured by fire. 5Ash'kelon shall see it, and be afraid; Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. The king shall perish from Gaza; Ash'kelon shall be uninhabited; 6a mongrel people shall dwell in Ashdod; and I will make an end of the pride of Philistia. 7I will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like the Jeb'usites. 8Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again overrun them, for now I see with my own eyes. 9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass. 10I will cut off the chariot from E'phraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your captives free from the waterless pit. 12Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. 13For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made E'phraim its arrow. I will brandish your sons, O Zion, over your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword. 14Then the LORD will appear over them, and his arrow go forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet, and march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. 15The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour and tread down the slingers; and they shall drink their blood like wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar. 16On that day the LORD their God will save them for they are the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. 17Yea, how good and how fair it shall be! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the maidens. (RSV)
Intent of Chapter
9
We now begin the
First Burden of the Second section. This is now far into the future.
Chapters 9 to 11,
the fate of Tyre and Sidon and Gaza, Ekron, Ashkelon and Ashdod, and Damascus
and the lands adjoining it in Syria, and the whole country of Lebanon, are
mentioned and dealt with in explicit terms.
They will worship
God in Jerusalem with Judah, and will be as governors in Israel. They will face
destruction and conversion and rehabilitation. God will encamp about Jerusalem
against the army that is brought against it (vv.1-8).
At this time it is
written: Rejoice greatly o daughter of
Zion; shout o daughter of Jerusalem: behold
thy king cometh unto thee: he is just and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a
colt the foal of an ass (Zech. 9:9). The events in bold were quotes in the
NT and are prophesied in Micah 5:2 and examined in Matthew 2:1 and 21:5. These
are dual aspects. Verse 10 goes on to establish the prophecy of the Second
Advent where Messiah, in justice and salvation, cuts off the chariot from
Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem and the battle bow. Messiah shall speak
peace to the heathens and his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the
river even to the ends of the earth. God states that He will take Zion and
establish the blood of His covenant and take their prisoners out of the pit
wherein there is no water (Zech. 9:11-12). This is the conversion of Judah and
Ephraim. The text shows they will be sent against the sons of Javan, which is
rendered as Greece in the LXX but the Hebrew says yavan, which was understood to be the ancient Ionian Greeks, not
the modern Greeks. They are not simply the residents of modern Greece who are
not sons of Javan in any quantity (cf. Gen. 10:2,4; Isa. 66:19; Ezek. 27:13;
Dan. 8:21; 11:2; Joel 3:6; see also the Genetic Origin of the Nations
(No. 265)
and War of
Hamon-Gog (No. 294)).
They will all be
strengthened and the Lord will make them strong and they will subdue their
enemies in the Holy Spirit of their conversion.
Lebanon and the
pride of Jordan are brought down. The Lord says to feed the flock of the
slaughter. In chapter 11 God shows how it is He that intervenes and feeds the flock.
In that chapter God warns of the idol shepherd and the punishment for leaving
the flock and the destruction of the unity of the people. This is reversion to
the First Advent when the staves of Beauty and Bands were broken and the
shepherds that grew out of the apostate Church rendered the poor to the hooves
(cf. Ezek. 34:1-22).
vv. 1-7 The fall of Tyre and Sidon was in part accomplished by the
Babylonians. However, that was long past when this was written. The prophecy
looked to the future to the Greeks and the Romans and then later again to the
Arabs and the Crusades and now to the Last Days. The comments made here were
carried out in part, but not all, and in the Last Days we are seeing this
unfold now before our very eyes.
The promises here
are that these nations will become part of Israel and they will be as provinces
of Israel and their glory will be in the glory of the Lord in Israel. The
Jebusites were those that inhabited Jerusalem and the threshing floor of
Araunah became the site of the Temple of God. The might of the Philistines was
to be removed and rulership was to be removed from Gaza and the other
Philistine centres were to be removed or made a mixed people as in Ashdod. This
is Scripture and Scripture cannot be broken.
God tells us then
that Messiah will come to Jerusalem as he did come in triumph over sin. The
text does not stop there but continues on to deal with Ephraim and Judah
together, which is in the Last Days. Israel had gone into captivity in 722 BCE
and did not return.
vv. 8-17 This text looks forward to the Last Days when Messiah returns in
triumph and subjugates the nations. He uses the might of Judah and of Ephraim
to subjugate the nations, and that is exactly what happened from the period of
1916 onwards (see the paper The Fall
of Egypt: The Prophecy of Pharaohs Broken Arms (No. 036)).
However they will be forced into peace.
Chapter 10
Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, who gives men showers of rain, to every one the vegetation in the field. 2For the teraphim utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; the dreamers tell false dreams, and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for want of a shepherd. 3"My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his proud steed in battle. 4Out of them shall come the cornerstone, out of them the tent peg, out of them the battle bow, out of them every ruler. 5Together they shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and they shall confound the riders on horses. 6"I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them; for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. 7Then E'phraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and rejoice, their hearts shall exult in the LORD. 8"I will signal for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as of old. 9Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. 10I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria; and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, till there is no room for them. 11They shall pass through the sea of Egypt, and the waves of the sea shall be smitten, and all the depths of the Nile dried up. The pride of Assyria shall be laid low, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart. 12I will make them strong in the LORD and they shall glory in his name," says the LORD. (RSV)
Intent of Chapter
10
The First Burden
continues until 10:12. However, the next two chapters deal with the problem of
false religion. God is demanding that they ask blessings of Him and not of the
teraphim, which are the household idols that we see even today in the guise of
the mother goddess depicted as the “Virgin Mary”, or Buddha and who knows what
else.
The diviners see
lies and the dreamers interpret false dreams. The people are misled by false
religion and this period goes on to the days of the end. The shepherds are
punished because of what they have done to Judah and Israel and to the chosen
of God. Judah is set aside to show that they will be restored and false
religion will be removed. Judah will be restored and Joseph will be
strengthened. However, we need to understand who they are first before we can
see what it is that God is to accomplish. Judah and the house of Joseph are in
the United States and British Commonwealth, without for one minute considering
the identities of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, which are ten times as many
people as those identified as Jews today in those nations. There are more Jews
in the US alone than in Israel and more in the US and British Commonwealth than
everywhere else in the world combined. They are the true nation of Israel
today, notwithstanding their own ancient genealogical claims to the ancestry of
Israel.
Note here that the lands of Gilead and Lebanon are reserved for Ephraim and as part of greater Israel. God is preparing for this moment even now. Lebanon will be incorporated as a state of Israel and they will live at peace.
Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 1-10 (for KJV)
Verse 1
In the eighth month, &c.
Zechariah"s first prophecy is dated (Zechariah 1:1) "in
the eighth month in the second year of Darius" (Hystaspis)
(410 b. c.) ; sixteen years after the Decree of Cyrus. It thus comes midway
between Haggai"s second and third messages. See notes on Haggai 1:1-1:10.
Modern
critics first assume that the day ought to be named, and then further assume
that it has "fallen out
accidentally"!
Darius. Darius (Hystaspis). See App-57.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4,
Zechariah = Remembered of Jehovah.
Berechiah = Blessed of Jehovah. Compare Matthew 23:35. This prophet would be the one referred to by
the Lord, unless the father of the Zechariah of 2 Chronicles 24:20, 2 Chronicles 24:21 had more than one name, which was
sometimes the ease. See Esau"s wives (Genesis 26:34; Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:2, Genesis 36:3). The latter would be the last (and Abel the
first in the O.T.), according to the place of Chronicles in the Hebrew Canon
(see App-1).
son. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6,
for descendant.
Iddo. See Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14. Nehemiah 12:4. Nehemiah 12:16.
sore displeased. Hebrew displeased with a
displeasure. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.
See note on Genesis 26:28.
your fathers. Compare verses: Zechariah 1:4, Zechariah 1:6,
saith = hath said.
the LORD of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah.Zebbaioth. App-4. This title
occurs fifty-three times in this book, forty-four times in chs. 1-8, and nine
times in chs. 9-14. It is characteristic of this book twenty-nine times it is
with the verbs saith or speaketh. All are referred to in the notes.
Turn = Return. Note the Figure of speech Epimone (App-6), in
verses: Zechariah 1:3-6, in which the fact is emphasised by dwelling
upon it as the cause of all Jehovah"s displeasure.
saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the
oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth.
the former prophets : i.e. Joshua to 2 Kings.
See App-1and App-78.
evil = wicked. Hebrew. raa`. App-44.
saith = hath said.
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah"s oracle.
where are they? This in contrast with the words of
Jehovah, which endure forever (Zechariah 1:6). Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
take hold of = overtake. Compare Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 28:45.
said. See Lamentations 1:18.
Upon, &c. See note on p. 1280.
eleventh month. Three months after Zechariah 1:1.
I saw, &c. In this first of the eight
visions (Zechariah 1:8 - Zechariah 6:15) Israel is in dispersion; the Gentiles are in
possession at the time of the end. Jehovah is about to interfere on behalf of
Jerusalem (verses: Zechariah 1:16, Zechariah 1:17. Isaiah 40:1-5).
man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14. This man is the "Adonai "of Zechariah 1:9, and "the angel of Jehovah" of
verses: Zechariah 1:11, Zechariah 1:12, as the prophet discovers from the
"man"s" answer. The riders of Zechariah 1:8 report to the angel (Zechariah 1:11).
among = between.
bottom = the shade i.e. between the two
mountains of Zechariah 6:1.
horses. Representing all earthly
dynasties.
speckled = bay.
my lord. Hebrew. Adonai. App-4.
angel. See verses: Zechariah 1:11, Zechariah 1:12, Zechariah 1:13, Zechariah 1:14, Zechariah 1:19; Zechariah 2:3; Zechariah 4:1, Zechariah 4:5; Zechariah 5:10; Zechariah 6:4, Zechariah 6:5.
be = are.
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
mercy = compassion, or pity.
Compare Zechariah 7:9. Psalms 102:13. Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 49:13.
Jerusalem. Not the "Church".
threescore and ten. See Daniel 9:2, and notes on 2 Chronicles 36:21.
answered. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41. Jehovah Himself now speaks.
heathen = nations.
at ease = indifferent (Isaiah 32:9, Isaiah 32:11. Amos 6:1).
affliction = calamity. Hebrew. raa". App-44. Compare Isaiah 47:11. Jeremiah 44:11.
shall be built in it. The Temple therefore had not
yet been commenced.
a line shall be stretched, &c. f.
e. a measuring-line. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the whole work of
building. Compare Zechariah 2:1, Zechariah 2:2.
comfort = pity, or have compassion on; as
mercy" in Zechariah 1:12.
four horns: "horns" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6,
for the Gentile (Zechariah 1:21) powers signified by thorn.
Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. With "eth pre- fixed to the
first two (not Jerusalem) for emphasis, so that we may not confuse them with
the Church or with Gentile peoples. There is no "gloss", as alleged.
Verse 20
shewed me. This is part of the second vision,
carpenters = (iron)smiths.
he: i.e. the angel,
these: i.e. these four smiths (or it may
denote the supernatural princes over the kingdoms). They repre sent the Divine
agencies raised up, by which Jehovah will overthrow them.
fray. Short for affray-to terrify; hence
English, afraid and affright. So the Hebrew harad = terrify. put in consternation (Hebrew. Hiphil, causative).
Compare Zephaniah 3:13.
them : i.e. the kingdoms represented by the horns.
Gentiles = nations.
Chapter 2
Verse 1
behold Figure of
speech Asterismos App-6.
man Hebrew. "ish App-14. Either the
same or another angel.
a measuring
line. See
note on Zechariah 1:16 and
Compare Zechariah 2:2
Verse 2
Jerusalem. With"eth. See note on Zechariah 1:19.
Verse 3
angel. See note
on Zechariah 1:9.
went forth: or, came
forward.
Verse 4
this young
man: i.e.
the man of Zechariah 2:1.
saying. Supply the
logical Ellipsis (App-8), "saying [Stop! ]", for the reason given implies
that measuring will be useless, owing to the overflow of inhabitants.
without walls. Compare Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 54:2. Ezekiel 38:11.
men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.
Verse 5
saith the LORD = [is]
Jehovah"s oracle. App-4.
wall of fire. Like the
watch-fires seen round Bedaween camps, which have no walls. Compare Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 33:21; Isaiah 60:18.
in the midst. Compare
verses: Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 2:11 ("J")
Verse 6
Ho, ho. Figure of
speech Epixeuxis (App-6),
for emphasis. come forth: or, supply the Ellipsis "[escape]".
I have spread. Reference
to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:27; Deuteronomy 28:64
spread =
scattered.
as. Some codices,
with five early printed editions, and Syriac, read "by", or
"throughout". Vulgate reads "into".
winds. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Verse 7
Deliver. Hebrew Ho!
Rescue, &c., as
in Zechariah 2:6
Verse 8
the LORD of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
After the
glory =
For His own glory.
he that, &c.
Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:10).
App-92.
His eye. The primitive
text read "Mine
eye"; but the Sopherim say
(App-33) that they altered this to "His", regarding it as derogatory
to Jehovah to rend aloud such pronounced anthropomorphic expressions.
Verse 9
their servants = their
own slaves.
lo. Figure of
speech Asterismos. App-6.
I will dwell, &c.
Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. Zechariah 29:45, Zechariah 29:46. Leviticus 26:11, Leviticus 26:12).
App-92.
Verse 11
many nations, &c.
Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:49. Numbers 9:14).
App-92.
Verse 12
shall inherit
. . . His portion. Reference
to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:9).
App-92.
holy. See note
on Exodus 3:5.
again = yet; as
in Zechariah 1:17.
Not make a new choice, but demonstrate again His old choice in actual
experience.
Verse 13
Be silent, &c.
Compare Habakkuk 2:20. Zephaniah 1:7.
is raised up = hath
roused Himself up. Compare Psalms 78:65.
His holy
habitation. Reference
to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 26:15)
Chapter 3
Verse 1
shewed one. This is
the fourth of the eight visions. See the Structure, p. 1281.
Joshua. See note
on Haggai 1:1.
standing. Put by
Figure of speech Metonymy (of
Adjunct), App-6, for ministering.
the angel. See note
on Zechariah 1:9.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Satan . . . to
resist him. Note
the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6).
Hebrew. hassatan . . . lesitno =
the Adversary . . . to be an adversary; or, the Accuser . . . to
accuse him, &c.
Satan Accuser,
or Opposer. See Numbers 22:22, Numbers 22:32. 1 Chronicles 21:1. Job 1:6, Job 1:7, Job 1:8, Job 1:12,
&c.
at his right
hand. Compare Psalms 109:6. Job 30:12.
to resist him = to be
his adversary. Compare Numbers 22:32, 1 Samuel 29:4, 1 Samuel 29:4, 1 Samuel 19:22. 1 Kings 5:4; 1 Kings 11:14, 1 Kings 11:23, 1 Kings 11:25.
Verse 2
rebuke thee. Compare Jude 1:9.
hath chosen = bath now
and heretofore chosen.
is not this .
. . ? i.e.
have I not plucked, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
a brand, &c.
Compare Amos 4:11.
Verse 3
was = had come
to be. Compare Genesis 1:2.
filthy. A symbol
of the defiling nature of sin. Compare Proverbs 30:12. Isaiah 4:4,
&c.
Verse 4
those that
stood, &c. :
i.e. the ministering spirits who waited on Him. Compare Deuteronomy 1:38. 1 Samuel 16:21. 1 Kings 10:8.
Behold. Figure of
speech Asterismos. App-6.
iniquity. Hebrew. aven. App-44.
from thee = from
upon thee, or from off thee. Compare 2 Samuel 12:13; 2 Samuel 24:10. Job 7:21.
I will clothe = I have
caused thee to be clothed.
change of
raiment =
rich or costly garments: i.e. robes of state, or of righteousness.
Verse 5
And I said = Then
said I(i.e. the prophet); but some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "then said He".
Let them set. Reference
to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:6).
App-92.
fair = clean,
or pure.
mitre = turban.
See Exodus 28:37.
stood by: i.e. while
this was being done.
Verse 6
protested = solemnly
affirmed, or testified. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 43:3. Deuteronomy 8:19.
Compare Jeremiah 11:7.
Verse 7
the Lord of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3 and
on 1 Samuel 1:3.
if thou wilt
keep, &c. Reference
to Pentateuch (Leviticus 8:35).
App-92.
judge My
house, &c. =
govern My house. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:9).
App-92.
places to walk = free
access, or right of way.
these that
stand by: i.e.
the attendant angels of Psalms 103:21.
Compare 1 Kings 22:19. 1 Timothy 5:21.
by: i.e. in My
presence.
Verse 8
fellows =
colleagues.
men wondered
at =
men of sign: i.e. men to serve as signs [of One greater].
men. Hebrew,
plural of "enosh. App-14.
My Servant the
BRANCH:
i.e. Messiah,
the BRANCH. Compare Isaiah 4:2. Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 33:15. Jeremiah 6:12.
Hebrew zemiah. Not the same word as in Isaiah 11:1,
or Psalms 80:15, Psalms 80:17.
See notes on p, 1304.
BRANCH. See
App-48.
Verse 9
upon = fixed
upon; as in Deuteronomy 11:12.
Compare 1 Kings 9:3. Ezra 5:5.
one stone: or, every
stone.
seven eyes = seven
pairs of eyes.
Watching and caring for. Compare Zechariah 4:10.
saith the LORD
of hosts =
[is] tho oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth.
in one day. Compare Isaiah 66:5-9
Verse 10
that day: i.e. the
day of Messiah.
call = call in
. . . under: i.e. invite to sit down and feast.
every man. Hebrew
Ish. App-14.
the = his own;
as in Micah 4:4.
Chapter 4
Verse 1
angel. See note
on Zechariah 1:9.
man. Heb, "ish. App-14.
Verse 2
What seest
thou? The
fifth vision.
I said. Heb, text
reads "he".
Some codices, with four early printed editions, are without the Hebrew margin,
"I"
behold. Figure of
speech Asterismos. App-6.
candlestick = a single
seven-branched lampstand, as in the Tabernacle and in the second Temple (1 Macc. 1.21; 4.49; as seen in the
Arch of Titus, in
Rome). The reference is to the Pentateuch (Exodus 25:31);
not to Solomon"s Temple, in which there were ten separate lampstands (1 Kings 7:49).
Compare Jeremiah 52:19.
App-92.
and his seven
lamps. Reference to Pentateuch
(Ex, Zechariah 25:37).
seven pipes. This looks
forward to the future, as described in Revelation 11:3-12.
Verse 4
my lord. Hebrew
"adon. See App-4.
Verse 6
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
might = might
[of man].
nor = and not.
power = power
[of flesh].
but by, &c. i.e.
as in the lampstand the oil flowed silently, without help from man,
Spirit. Hebrew. ruach App-9.
the LORD of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
Verse 7
O great
mountain? Add,
by supplying the Ellip sis (App-6), "[that standest in the way of
Zerubbebel? ]"
Verse 9
The hands, &c.
Here is the explanation of the
vision.
thou shalt
know.
Some codices, with Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "ye shall know".
Verse 10
plummet. Hebrew
stone of tin = tin weight used as a plummet,
with those
seven =
these seven [lamps which thou seest these [are] the eyes", &c.; as
in Zechariah 3:9.
Verse 12
empty the
golden oil out of themselves = empty out of themselves [and
fill] the golden [bowls],
the two
anointed ones.
Heb, the two sons of oil;
looking forward again to the future, to "the two witnesses" of Revelation 11:3-13.
the Lord of
the whole earth. The
Hebrew adon App-4.,
is here specially associated with Messiah"s dominion in the earth. Compare Zechariah 6:5; Zechariah 14:9. Joshua 3:11-13. Psalms 8:1, Psalms 8:6, Psalms 8:9; Psalms 97:5. Micah 4:13.
Chapter 5
Verse 1
looked = This is
the sixth vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.
roll = scroll.
Hence our word "volume". Compare Ezekiel 2:9 - Zechariah 3:11.
Verse 2
cubits. See
App-51.
Verse 3
the curse. Reference
to Pentateuch (Lev 26 and Deu 28).
goeth forth. Compare Zechariah 5:5-6. Hebrew. yaza = to go forth on business,
or on an errand. Same word as in Zechariah 14:2, Zechariah 14:3, Zechariah 14:8,
&c. (not Zechariah 14:16, Zechariah 14:18).
earth: or, land.
stealeth.
sweareth,
&c. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:12).
App-92.
shall be cut
off =
hath been let off, or declared innocent; as in Numbers 5:31. Psalms 19:12, Psalms 19:13. Jeremiah 2:35,
or goeth unpunished; as in Jeremiah 49:12.
This is always the sense of Heb, nakah. Render
the passage: "for " every one that stealeth hath been let off [is
written] on the one side, according to it (the curse or scroll); and
"every one that sweareth (falsely) hath been let off [is written] on the
other side, according to it. Therefore have I brought it (the curse or scroll)
forth".
Verse 4
I will bring = I have
brought.
saith the LORD
of hosts =
[is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3.
enter into = lodge,
or abide in.
My name. Emphatic
for "Me
Myself". See note on Psalms 20:1.
remain = lodge,
or roost.
shall consume
it =
shall destroy it, or bring it to an end. Hebrew. kadah. Not the same word as in Zechariah 5:14, Zechariah 5:12.
Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 13:45).
App-92.
timber = timbers
(plural)
Verse 5
angel, See note
on Zechariah 1:9.
see. This is
the seventh vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.
Verse 6
This. Hebrew. zoth. Feminine. Singular.
ephah. See
App-51.,
resemblance = aspect.
Heb eye. Put by
Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for their Look: i.e. appearance,
or colour, as in Leviticus 13:55. Numbers 11:7. Ezekiel 10:9.
Compare Ez ek Zechariah 1:4, Zechariah 1:7, Zechariah 1:16, Zechariah 1:27. Daniel 10:6,
&c. Septuagint and Syriac read "iniquity" (App-44.)
i.e. (Vau = v) instead
of (Yod = y).
Verse 7
behold = lo.
Figure of speech Asterismos .
App-6.
talent. See
App-51. Hebrew. kikkar, a
round disk, evidently fitting the ephah like a lid.
Verse 8
wickedness = the
lawless [one]. Hebrew. rasha", App-44.
Adjective, feminine, singular = the embodiment of the principle of lawlessness.
The religions aspect of 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.
Rev 17.
it: i.e. the
talent, which had been "lifted up "for the prophet to see, and then cast
back "into" the ephah.
weight = stone;
i.e. weight. This was "upon" the ephah, and is to be distinguished
from the "talent", which was within.
Verse 9
two women. Perhaps
denoting two nations.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
like the wings
of a stork. Evidently
a symbol of velocity rather than of character.
stork. An unclean
bird, fond of its young, and a bird of passage.
Verse 11
it = for her.
Hebrew Feminine. Singular.
the land of
Shinar =
Babylonia. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:10; Genesis 11:2; Genesis 14:1, Genesis 14:9).
App-92. Outside the Pentateuch only in Joshua 7:21. Isaiah 11:11. Daniel 1:2.
it shall be
established =
it (i.e. the house, Hebrew, masculine singular) shall be ready (or prepared).
Revised Version = when it is prepared.
set there = fixed,
or settled. Septuagint, and Syriac, rend "they (i.e. the two women) shall settle
her there".
base = fixed
resting-place. The interpretation must refer to what is yet future. It cannot
refer to the going into captivity; for the People had just returned, and
Zechariah had been raised up for their comfort and encouragement. When the time
comes, it will be marked by commerce (ephah), false religion (the woman),
speedy accomplishment (the wings of a stork), and a spirit in their wings. This
will be preparatory to the final judgment of Rev 18.
Chapter 6
Verse
1
and looked. Thus is
the eighth vision
two mountains. Compare Zechariah 1:8 and Zechariah 4:7.
brass = copper
or bronze. Compare Deuteronomy 8:9
Verse
2
red. The
colours are not explained by the angel as having any significance. They are not
explained in Zechariah 6:5,
probably because then already gone forth.
Verse
3
grisled =
speckled, or dappled: i.e. like hail. Compare Genesis 31:10, Genesis 31:12.
Grisled (now spelled grizzled) is from the French gris = iron-grey.
bay = strong.
Hebrew "amuzzim. Occurs only here, and Zechariah 6:7.
The feminine noun "strength" only in Zechariah 12:5.
Verse
4
angel. See note
of Zechariah 1:9.
my lord. Hebrew. "adon. App-4.
Verse
5
These are, &c.
This is the angel"s interpretation, and needs no further explanation. It
is for our faith; not for our reason,
the four spirits: or, the four
angels. Compare Revelation 7:1-3, Revelation 9:14, Revelation 9:15.
They thus have to do with the time of the end. Their ministry is earthward, and
has to do with judgment.
spirits. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
The world rulers Referred to in Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20, Daniel 10:21,
&c.
from standing, &c. Some
codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "[each] to take their stand before",
&c.,
the Lord of
all the earth.
See note on Zechariah 4:14.
Verse
6
after then: or, to the
west of thorn.
Verse
7
he. A. special
various reading called Sevir (App-34), reads "they".
Verse
8
cried. upon. Are almost
obsolete idiom. To "cry upon" meant to call to, or
appeal to, and is still used in this sense in Scotland. It comes to us
through the Genevan Bible (1560), from the Great Bible (1539), and Coverdale
(1534). It is the sense of the Hebrew z " ak here. See Judges 4:10, Judges 4:13. Jonah 3:7,
&c.
quieted = caused
[mine anger] to rest upon. This is the force of the Hebrew Hiphil.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach App-9.
Put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the manifestation of it
in feeling: here, anger, wrath, Compare Judges 8:3,
Verse
9
the LORD.
Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Verse
10
captivity: or exile,
being a deputation. Hebrew. golah. The special word for the Jews
captive in Babylonia (2 Kings 24:15, 2 Kings 24:16. Ezra 1:11; Ezra 2:1,
&c. Nehemiah 7:6. Esther 2:6. Jeremiah 28:6. Ezekiel 1:1,
&c.) Put here by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6,
for the returned exiles themselves.
go. Supply the
Ellipsis (App-6), thus: "come [with them)".
Verse
11
Then take, &c.
This is another verse, noted in the Massorah (App-30) as being
one of twenty-six verses each of which contains all the letters of
the Hebrew alphabet. Compare Zephaniah 3:8,
crowns. Hebrew pl,
referring to the several circlets forming one composite crown. Compare Zechariah 6:14 where
it is used with a verb in the singular.
Joshua.
Josedech. See
note on Haggai 1:1.
Verse
12
saying. Some codices,
with the Septuagint and Syriac, omit this verb but in that case the Ellipsis
(App-6), must be supplied in italics. See note on Psalms 109:5.
the Lord of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
Man . . .
BRANCH. Hebrew. ish.
App-14. See the Structure and note on the four Gospels as a whole, p. 1304.
grow up = sprout
forth. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6).
Hebrew. zemach. . . zemach = a branch shall branch forth.
Verse
13
Even = Yea.
Omitted in some codices; in which case, note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis
(App-6). Note the emphatic pronouns (= He, even He, and none other), pointing
to the Messiah, and typical character of the whole proceeding, viz. exiles
bringing their gifts to restore Jehovah"s house. Their crowns were to be
kept as a token of this future hope. Compare Zechariah 6:14.
shall build. Compare
verses: Zechariah 6:12, Zechariah 6:13 ("T")
with Zechariah 6:15 ("T"),
above.
shall bear,
&c.: i.e.
the glory and majesty of royalty. Compare Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31.
be = become.
both: i.e. two
offices, priest and king, will be combined in one person, Messiah.
Verse
14
for a
memorial. Reference
to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:14,
the same word). App-92.
Verse
15
they. shall
come: i.e.
those future builders, of whom these were a type. Compare Isaiah 60:10.
And this,
&c. =
And it shall come to pass: i.e. the promise and prophecy in the former part of this
verse.
if ye will,
&c. This
condition was not fulfilled; for the command to "repent" (the
one condition of national restoration), given by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1, Matthew 3:2);
Messiah (Matthew 4:17);
and Peter (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19),
was not obeyed: and this promise therefore remains for an obedience that is yet
future. The verse therefore is not "left unfinished" as alleged.
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
App-4.
Chapter 7
Verse
1
the fourth
year. Two
years later than the first literal prophecy in Zechariah
1:1.
king Darius. Darius (Hystaspis).
See App-57,
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Chisleu. Corresponding
with our December. See App-51.
Verse
2
they had sent
unto the house of GOD, &c.: or, when Sherezer had sent (and
Regem-melech and his men) to Bethel", &c. Beth-el had already been
occupied by exiles returned from Babylon. See Ezra
2:28. Nehemiah 7:32; Nehemiah 11:31.
GOD. Hebrew. El.
App-4.
Sherezer. Probably
born in exile, as he bears an Assyrian name.
men. Hebrew,
plural of "enosh. App-14.
pray before
the LORD =
entreat Jehovah"s favour by prayer (Exodus 32:11. 1 Kings 13:6; Jeremiah 26:19);
or by sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:12).
Verse
3
speak unto the
priests, &c.
Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:9; Deuteronomy 33:10). App-92.
the LORD of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
in the fifth
month. See
note on Zechariah 7:5.
as =
according as.
these so many
years =
now so many years. Some codices read "seventy years", as
in Zechariah 7:5
Verse
5
in the fifth.
month. The
month Ab (our August, App-51. V). The fast had already then been instituted to
commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem on the tenth of Ab (Jeremiah 52:12, Jeremiah
52:13).
seventh month. The month
Tisri (our October). The fast had already then been instituted, on the third of
Tisri, to commemorate the murder of Gedaliah by Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah.
See Jeremiah 40:8; Jeremiah 41:1-3, Jeremiah
41:15-18. See further notes on Zechariah 8:19.
even. Some
codices omit this word.
Verse
6
when ye did
eat, &c. Or,
was it not ye that were the eaters, and ye the drinkers?
for
yourselves. Not
"before the Lord: or for His glory. See Deuteronomy
12:7; Deuteronomy 14:26. 1 Chronicles 29:22; and compare 1 Corinthians 10:31. Colossians
3:17.
Verse
7
Should ye not
hear. ? Supply
the Ellipsis (App-6) better by "[Should ye not have obeyed? ]" or,
["Are not these] the very words? "
by = by the
hand of: "hand" being
put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the agency.
the former
prophets. See
note on Zechariah 4:1.
the south = the
Negeb. Compare Genesis 13:1. Deuteronomy 1:7, and see note on Psalms 126:4.
the plain = the
lowland. Hebrew. shephelah. Compare Deuteronomy
1:7. Judges 1:9, &c.
Verse
9
Execute.
judgment. Note
the Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6).
Hebrew. mishpat. shephotu = true judgment judge ye. Compare Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 58:7.
mercy =
lovingkindness.
every man. Hebrew. ish.
App-14.
Verse
10
oppress not
the widow. stranger. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 22:21, Exodus 22:22. Deuteronomy 24:17). App-92.
nor = and.
evil. raa.
App-44.
Verse
11
But they. Some
codices, with four early printed editions, read "and ye", showing the
Figure of speech Polysyndetion (App-6).
refused,
&c.
Compare Zechariah 1:4. Jeremiah 6:10, Jeremiah 6:17, Jeremiah 6:19, &c.
and. Note the
Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) for emphasis.
pulled away,
&c. Turning
aside from the one who speaks.
Verse
12
the law. Reference
to Pentateuch (Exo 20, &c.), App-92.
in = by.
Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
Verse
14
I scattered
them with a whirlwind. Not the usual verb, to scatter;
but sa"ar = to drive with a tempest. Occurs only seven times (2 Kings 6:11 ("sore troubled"). Isaiah 54:11. Hosea 13:3. Jonah 1:11, Jonah 1:13. Habakkuk 3:14).
the land was
desolate. Reference
to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:22).
after them: i.e. when
they had left it.
pleasant =
desirable. Daniel 8:9.
Chapter 8
Verse
1
the LORD of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
to me. Some codices,
with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Syriac, read these words in
the text.
Verse
2
Thus saith, &c. There
is a decalogue of prophecies concerning Jerusalem and its inhabitants in this
mem ber ("V",
see p. 1287). See verses: Zechariah 8:2, Zechariah 8:3, Zechariah 8:4, Zechariah 2:6, Zechariah 2:7, Zechariah 2:9, Zechariah 2:14, Zechariah 2:19, Zechariah 2:20, Zechariah 2:23. All refer to the future, and await
their fulfilment in millennial days.
saith = hath
said.
was = I was
and still am.
Verse
3
the LORD.
Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
will dwell in
the midst, &c.
Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45). App-92.
a city of
truth =
a city of fidelity.
truth = the
truth. Compare Isaiah 1:21, Isaiah 1:26.
the holy
mountain. Compare Isaiah 2:2. Jeremiah 31:23. Ezekiel 40:2. Micah 4:1.
holy. See note
on Exodus 3:5.
Verse
4
yet. In the
days of the future fulfilment.
dwell = sit.
streets = broad or
open places.
every man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.
for very age = for
multitude of days.
Verse
6
the remnant. The exiles
who had then returned. Compare Haggai 1:12, Haggai 1:14.
should it also
be marvellous,
&c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:14, where the verb is the same). App-92.
Mine eyes. Add by
Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), from preceding clause: "[in those future
days]" of which He was speaking.
saith the LORD
of hosts =
[is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts.
Verse
7
Behold, I will, &c. =
Behold Me saving, &c. from the east country, &a Compare Isaiah 43:5. Note the Figure of
speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the whole earth,
See Psalms 50:1; Psalms 113:3. Isaiah 59:19. Malachi 1:11, &c.
Verse
8
they shall be, &c.
Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7). App-92.
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
App-4.
Verse
9
the prophets. See Haggai 1:6-11; Haggai 2:15-19.
in the day that: i.e. two years
before (Haggai 1:14, Haggai 1:15; Haggai 2:18. Compare Ezra 5:1). App-18.
that the
temple =
even the temple, that is.
Verse
10
these = those.
hire = wages.
man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.
men. Hebrew. "adam:. App-14.
every one. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.
set = sent.
Verse
11
now. In
contrast with the former days.
Verse
12
the seed shall
be,
&c. Ref to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:3-12). App-92.
and. Note the
Figure of speech Polysyndefon (App-6). combined with Figure of
speech Anabasis (App-6),
ground = earth.
shall give,
&c. Reference
to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:4, Leviticus 26:20. Deuteronomy 11:17. App-92. Compare Psalms 67:6; Psalms 78:46; Psalms 85:12. Ezekiel 34:27.
Verse
13
as =
according as.
heathen = nations.
house of
Israel. Looking
on to the future fulfilment, which rests on the condition of Zechariah 8:8.
ye shall be a
blessing.
Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 12:2). App-92.
Verse
14
punish = bring
calamity upon. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44.
Verse
16
Speak, &c.
Compare Zechariah 8:19; Zechariah 7:9.
every man. Hebrew
"ish. App-14.
execute, &c. See
note on Zechariah 7:9.
Verse
17
evil. Hebrew. ra
a ". App-44
love no false
oath. Reference
to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:3; Leviticus 19:12). all these are things that I hate.
Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "all these things do I hate".
Verse
19
saith = hath
said.
the fourth
month. The
ninth of Tammuz (Jeremiah 52:6, Jeremiah 52:7), when the city was broken up; hence
called "the
fourth fast".
the fifth. On the
tenth of Ab, when the Temple and the houses were burnt (Jeremiah 52:12, Jeremiah 52:13).
the seventh. The third
of Tisri, when Gedaliah was slain by Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah (Jeremiah 40:8; Jeremiah 41:1-3, Jeremiah 41:15-18).
the tenth. On the
tenth of Tebeth, when the king of Babylon set his face against Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24:1, Ezekiel 24:2). So The Talmud, Rosh
Hashanah, vol. 18 B.
feasts =
appointed seasons. These fasts were appointed by man. The feasts were "feasts of
Jehovah" because appointed by Him. Ref: to Pentateuch (Leviticus 23:2-44), App-92. Compare Zephaniah 3:17.
Verse
20
people = peoples.
Some codices, with Septuagint, read "many peoples".
Verse
21
Let us go
speedily. Figure
of speech Polyptolon. App-6. Hebrew a going, let us go = Let us by
all means go: or, speedily, as in Authorized Version. See note on Genesis 26:28. Compare Isaiah 2:3. Micah 4:2.
to pray, &c. See
note on Zechariah 7:2. the LORD, &c. Hebrew
(with "eth) = Jehovah of hosts Himself.
those days. The fulfilment
of this still future.
men. Hebrew,
plural of enosh. App-14.
you : i.e.
with God"s People Israel.
that. Some
codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "that" in
the text. Supply the Ellipsis (will be the time] that. "
Chapter 9
Verse
1
The
use of a varied vocabulary is no proof of a different authorship. It is
necessitated by the changes of subject.
burden = Divine
declaration. Hebrew. massa". Compare Isaiah 13:1. Nahum 1:1.
of = that is
to say. Genitive of Apposition. See App-17.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.
App-4.
in: or, on:
i.e. resting on.
Hadrach. A country
in the neighborhood of Damascus and Hamath (Zechariah 9:2) &c., mentioned in the Assyrian
Inscriptions, with the "arka of Genesis 10:17.
the rest
thereof =
its resting place: i.e. the burden will rest upon it.
Verse
2
Hamath. Now Hama,
shall border
thereby =
[which] bordereth thereon: i.e. on the land of Hadrach.
though = because.
Verse
3
Tyrus. strong
hold. Note
the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. zor mazor, which cannot be
reproduced in English.
as = like.
Verse
4
Behold. Figure of
speech Asterismos. App-6.
the Lord*. One of 134
places where the Sopherim say they altered "Jehovah" to
"Adonai". App-32and compare App-4.
cast her out =
dispossess her.
Verse
5
Ashkelon. Now
"Askalan.
see. fear. Note the
Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Hebrew. tera. vetira. May
be Englished by "shall gaze. and be amazed (or be dazed)":
or "shall peer and fear".
Verse
6
bastard =
half-breed, or mongrel.
dwell = sit [as
king].
Ashdod. Now Esdud.
Verse
7
blood. Hebrew
bloods. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the
sacrifices (which were, of course, eaten).
abominations: i.e. the
idolatrous sacrifices.
he that
remaineth: i.e.
the remnant of them.
even be = he also.
shall be for. Supply the
Ellipsis thus: "[shall be subject unto]. "
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
App-4.
governor = chieftain,
or duke.
Ekron. Put by
Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for Philistines.
Jebusite. Put by
Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), App-6, for bondservant. (1 Kings 9:20, 1 Kings 9:21. Isaiah 11:14.)
Verse
8
because of = against.
passeth by.
returneth:
i.e. marcheth to and fro. and: or, so that.
oppressor. Hebrew. nagas =
to press hard, as a task-master (Exodus 5:6), or as a foreign oppressor (Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 14:4), or as an exactor (2 Kings 23:35).
seen. Supply the
Ellipsis: "seen
[the affliction of My People] with Mine eyes".
Verse
9
Rejoice, &c.
Figure of speech Paeenismos. App-6. This verse foretells the first
coming of Messiah, recorded in the Gospels.
cometh unto = will
come unto. See note on Micah 5:2, where we have the going
forth from Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1). Here we have the coming unto Jerusalem
(Matthew 21:5). Between these lay all the
events which we call "the first advent". So will it be
at "the second advent" with its many events, before e.
to is fulfilled. See notes on Matthew 21:1-10, and Luke 19:25-44; App-107and App-156.
He is, &c. Note
the four features of Messiah"s character and condition at His first
advent.
(1) just =
righteous, as being justified or vindicated. Compare Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 53:11. Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6.
(2) having
salvation. Hebrew. nosha is
the Niphal participle, which, though it may be reflexive,
is never active. He was heard and delivered (Psalms 22:20, Psalms 22:21. Hebrews 5:7), referring to His own sufferings and
death out of (Greek. ek, App-104.), which He was delivered
(Psalms 16:10. Acts 2:24), and by which He becomes the Saviour of
others (Isaiah 53:8, Isaiah 53:10, Isaiah 53:11).
(3) lowly =
afflicted, or oppressed. Same word (" ant; see note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11) as in Psalms 22:24. Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:7.
(4) riding
upon an ass,
&c. Fulfilled (1) in Matthew 21:1-11, and from two days
afterward (2) in Mark 11:8-11. Luke 19:36-46. John 12:12-19. See App-156. A mark of His lowliness.
Note the above four characteristics.
Verse
10
I will cut
off. Septuagint
reads "and
He will cut off". This refers to the yet future second
coming; the present dispensation (App-71and App-72) lying between Zechariah 9:9-10.
He shall speak
peace,
Sc. Compare Psalms 46:9; Psalms 47:3. Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7. Micah 5:5.
heathen = nations.
from sea . . .
to sea. Compare Psalms 72:8.
the river: i.e. the
Euphrates.
Verse
11
thee = thee [O
Zion] (feminine; agreeing with Zion), which is also feminine in verses: Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 9:13.
the blood of
thy covenant:
or, thy covenant of blood. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 24:5-8) Compare Hebrews 13:20.
have sent
forth =
i.e. sent forth [from their captivity].
out of the
pit, &c. Reference
to Pentateuch (Genesis 37:24).
Verse
12
Turn = Return.
strong hold. Hebrew. bizzaron (from bazaar,
to cut off) = a safe because of inaccessible place. Occurs only here.
hope = the
hope: i.e. which God had given, and on which He had caused them to hope (Psalms 119:49).
double: i.e. a prosperity
and blessing double what was possessed before.
The
firstborn"s share. Compare Isaiah 61:7.
Verse
13
filled = grasped.
thy sons, O
Greece. Septuagint
reads "the sons of Greece.
Greece. Hebrew. Yavan.
Compare Genesis 10:2, Genesis 10:4. Isaiah 66:19. Ezekiel 27:13. Daniel 8:21; Daniel 11:2. Joel 3:6.
Verse
14
His arrow. Figure of
speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.
the Lord. Hebrew. Adonai App-4.
God. Hebrew. Jehovah.
Verse
15
The Lord of
hosts. See
note on Zechariah 1:3.
defend. See note
on Isaiah 31:5.
devour = devour
[their enemies].
subdue with sling
stones: or,
trample on their weapons.
and. Some
codices, with three early printed editions, read this "and" in
the text.
make noise = shout.
wine. Hebrew. yayin.
App-27.
filled: i.e.
filled [with wine] like.
as, &c. = as the
sacrificial bowls [are filled with blood, which are tossed against] the corners
(or horns) of the altar.
Verse
16
stones = gems.
crown = diadem.
lifted up =
conspicuous, or sparkling.
land = soil.
Verse
17
cheerful =
flourish.
new wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27.
Chapter 10
Verse
1
the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
rain, &c. Reference
to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14) = rain of rain = copious rains.
App-92.
so, &c. Render: "of Jehovah Who
maketh. and giveth".
shall make = Who
maketh.
and give = and
giveth.
them. Some
codices, with Syriac, read "you".
Verse
2
idols. Hebrew. teraphim, or
household gods. These cannot give rain (Jeremiah 14:22). vanity trash.
a flock =
he-goats: i.e. bell-wethers. Compare Isaiah 14:9. Jeremiah 51:40.
Verse
3
punished = shall
visit upon.
the LORD of
hosts.
See note on Zechariah 1:3.
goodly horse = majestic
war-horse.
Verse
4
him: i.e. Judah (Zechariah 10:3), Compare Jeremiah 30:21.
came forth = went
forth.
the corner = the
corner-stone (Matthew 21:42) = Messiah.
nail = tent-pin,
or peg. Compare Isaiah 22:23.
the battle bow. Put by Figure
of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for all kinds of weapons.
oppressor =
governor, or ruler.
Verse
5
streets = lanes,
or out-places.
Verse
6
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
App-4.
hear = answer.
Verse
7
they. A special
various reading called Sevir (App-34), reads "he".
they of
Ephraim, &c.
- they (or he) shall be as a mighty one (or warrior) of Ephraim.
as through
wine =
as wine [snaketh the heart to rejoice]. Psalms 104:15.
wine.
Hebrew. yayin, App-7
children = sons.
Verse
8
hiss: or, signal.
The figure is borrowed from bee -keepers (Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 7:18).
have increased = did
increase [before]. Compare Ex, Zechariah 1:7.
Verse
9
sow. Compare Hosea 2:23.
people = peoples.
they shall remember Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:1).
live with, &c. =
live, and return with.
turn = return.
Verse
10
I will bring
them again,
&c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:3, Deuteronomy 30:5). See App-92.
place. Supply: "[the necessary
room]".
Verse
11
And = Though.
he. Septuagint
reads "they".
with = of. Gen,
of Apposition. See App-17.
the river: i.e. the Nile.
Verse
12
walkup and
down,
&c. = walk (habitually). Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 5:24; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1). App-92. Compare Micah 4:5; Micah 6:8.
saith the LORD = [is]
Jehovah"s oracle.
q