Zechariah 9:1

ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 9 Amidst the judgments of the neighbouring nations God will defend his church, Malachi 9:1. Zion is exhorted to rejoice for the coming of Christ, and his peaceable kingdom, Malachi 9:9. God's promises of victory and defence, Malachi 9:12. The burden, i.e. the heavy, sad, and grievous, the menacing prediction of future evils coming upon a people; so burden in prophetic style, Isaiah 13:1, Isaiah 15:1 Nahum 1:1 Habakkuk 1:1, signifieth. The word; in which from God's own mouth Zechariah threateneth. This might be read in apposition thus, The burden the word, for when the word of the Lord threateneth sad afflictions, they will come as a heavy burden, which they cannot decline without repentance, nor shake off by their own strength. Of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who determines what he will do against Israel's enemies, and none can alter his purpose. In, or, on, against, Heb., the land of Hadrach; not Messiah's land, as some, nor the land of an idol called Hadrach, i.e. the sun, as others, nor yet the land or countries that lie round about Judea, as others, nor yet is Arabia here meant, as others; but it is the name both of a city in Coelosyria, and here signifieth the country also. This town was not far from Damascus, and about twenty-five miles distant from Bostra, a sea town of Phoenicia, which is not far from Byblos, now called Giblee, or Gibelletto, says my author; no further mention is made of it in Scripture. It was likely all enemy to the Jews, and had sinned therein, and now must account for it and be punished. And Damascus; chief city of that part of Syria; and whether Abel were slain there or not, or whether that murder gave it the name, or whether the etymology be rightly given, ( dam, blood, sack, a bag,) I say not; but it was no friend to God's people, Isa 7, and here it is threatened among other their enemies: the country is intended here as well as the city. Shall be the rest thereof; this burden shall lie long as well as heavy on Damascus. When; rather, for, Heb. The eyes, Heb. eye: as we read it, it is of some difficult interpretation, but more easy if read, as it may be, thus, for unto the Lord is the eye of man, and of the tribes of Israel; i.e. unto the Lord it belongeth in look to, and by his providence to dispose of, all men as well as of Israel, and all men's appeals in cases of wrong are to Heaven; so they who have been wronged by Syrian injustice look to Heaven for right, and to be avenged, and God will do it.