The occurrence of a new heading, The burden of the word of the Lord, which occurs again in Zechariah 12:1, and elsewhere only in Malachi 1:1, warns us that a new section begins here. We are no longer concerned with Joshua and Zerubbabel, the small community of Judah, and the hopes and aspirations of... [ Continue Reading ]
The strongholds of the Syro-Greek empire are taunted with the failure of their power. The cedars of Lebanon and the oaks of Bashan are a constant metaphor for that which is lofty and powerful (_cf._ Isaiah 2:13). For the strong forest a probable correction is the forest of Bozrah, _i.e._ not the Edo... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH IN FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. The author here assumes the rô le of the chief actor in the events he is describing, and speaks in the first person. Unlike Zechariah, but in accordance with the custom of the later apocalyptic school, he does not mention by name the personages to whom he... [ Continue Reading ]
The author does not pursue further the history of the good shepherd, but proceeds to desoribe in similar terms an evil successor. Whether he has in view Jason, the immediate successor of Onias, or Menelaus who succeeded Jason, cannot be determined; probably the latter is meant. Zechariah 11:15, whic... [ Continue Reading ]