Zechariah 11:1
OPEN THY DOORS, O LEBANON] Make way for the invaders.... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN THY DOORS, O LEBANON] Make way for the invaders.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PARABLE OF THE SHEPHERDS The perplexing nature of the prophecies in this chapter renders exposition difficult, especially as we cannot be sure of the circumstances. Apparently, however, the passage deals with misrule in Jerusalem, either of worthless high priests, or of cruel foreign rulers, or... [ Continue Reading ]
FOREST OF THE VINTAGE] better, 'the impenetrable forest.' MIGHTY] RV 'goodly ones,' i.e. nobles; but the phrase is doubtful and spoils the whole thought of the passage. Some omit it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIDE OF JORDAN] the rank undergrowth where lions had their home: cp. Jeremiah 49:19, where 'swelling' is really 'thickets.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FLOCK OF THE SLAUGHTER] RV 'flock of slaughter.' i.e. destined or reared for slaughter. This might point to the cruel oppressions and martyrdoms in the times of the Maccabees. 5, 6. According to some views the POSSESSORS (RM 'buyers') are those ethnarchs and high priests in Jerusalem who were merel... [ Continue Reading ]
THE POOR OF THE FLOCK] those wretched ones whom the prophet had been trying specially to instruct and help. But perhaps we should read, 'the dealers in the sheep.' 12. The prophet, personating a hired shepherd, asks for his wages, in order to see what value they put upon his services. His hearers i... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE POTTER] better, 'into the treasury' (see RM), by the change of one letter in the Heb. A GOODLY PRICE THAT I WAS PRISED AT OF THEM] a sarcastic parenthesis. St. Matthew applies the incident to the case of Judas Iscariot (see Matthew 27:9), but refers it to Jeremiah. 14. The last hope of uni... [ Continue Reading ]
CLAWS] RV 'hoofs.' The idea is the cracking of the hoofs of the sheep by being overdriven.... [ Continue Reading ]
IDOL] RV 'worthless.' The word is used of idols, because of their worthlessness: cp. John 10:12; John 10:13. ZECHARIAH 13:7. MY FELLOW] one who has the same interests. SMITE THE SHEPHERD] cp. 1 Kings 22:17, and the most fitting application of the words to our Lord (Matthew 26:31). The whole section... [ Continue Reading ]