X. This chapter is immediately connected with what precedes. The people are now directed to pray for that rain which alone could produce the fertility touched on in the concluding verses of Zechariah 9. It is probable, since the prophet mentions only the _latter_ rain, that he was prophesying betwe... [ Continue Reading ]
BRIGHT CLOUDS. — Better, _lightnings,_ which precede the longed-for rain. (Comp. Jeremiah 10:13; Psalms 135:7.) GRASS.... — Comp. Deuteronomy 11:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
IDOLS. — Better, as in margin, _teraphim._ (See on Judges 17:5.) Against the post-exilian origin of this passage, and of 13:2, it has been objected that _idols and false prophets harmonise only with a time prior to the exile._ It is true that after the captivity idolatry was not the sin to which the... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS KINDLED. — Better, _is kindled._ (Comp. Note on Zechariah 8:2.) SHEPHERDS. — This term is used of native rulers and guides (Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 17:16; Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel 34:2, &c.), and also of foreign rulers and oppressors (Jeremiah 6:3; Jeremiah 25:34; Jer [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF HIM. — Literally, _from him._ It is much disputed whether “him” means _the Lord of Hosts_ or _Judah._ It appears to us best to take it as referring to “Judah” — _i.e.,_ to the whole Jewish nation. CAME FORTH. — Better, _shall proceed._ (Comp. Jeremiah 30:19; Jeremiah 30:21.) CORNER, or _cor... [ Continue Reading ]
(5-7) The preceding idea is now further dwelt on, and Ephraim not merely implicitly, but explicitly (as in Zechariah 9:13) included in the promise as one with Judah (Ezekiel 37:16; Ezekiel 37:22). For a fulfilment of the promises contained in this passage, see 1Ma. 3:39; 1Ma. 4:7; 1Ma. 4:31; 1Ma. 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FURTHER REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL (ZECHARIAH 10:8). (8) A yet further redemption of Israel was to take place before the consummation of these victorious promises. Some critics have considered this passage as conclusive against the assumption of a post-exilic origin of these latter Chapter s. But Zech... [ Continue Reading ]
SOW is never used in a bad sense, _i.e._, “to scatter,” but rather means to _spread_ and _multiply_ (Hos. 2:25; Jeremiah 31:27). There is, therefore, no word here of a new dispersion of the people, but rather of an increasing and in-gathering. SHALL LIVE WITH. — Comp. Ezekiel 37:14. — _i.e._, survi... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses are evidently worded after the analogy of Isaiah 11:11. Compare especially the mention of Egypt and Assyria, the reference to the dividing of the Red Sea, and the unity of Ephraim and Judah, as spoken of by Isaiah (Isaiah 10:13), and by our prophet in the foregoing passage. EGYPT is, n... [ Continue Reading ]
HE. — That is, God. THE SEA WITH AFFLICTION. — Better, _the sea_ [where is] _affliction,_ or _straitness;_ unless, with Ewald, we read “sea of affliction.” On the construction in the Hebrew, see my _Student_’_s Commentary,_ pp. 95, 44.... [ Continue Reading ]