VIII. The third section of the prophet’s answer is divided into seven separate sayings (Zechariah 8:2; Zechariah 8:3; Zechariah 8:4; Zechariah 8:5; Zechariah 8:6; Zechariah 8:7; Zechariah 8:8; Zechariah 8:9;... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS. — Better, _I am_ in both cases. Here God declares His determination to give expression to His burning love for Zion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Zechariah 2:10. OF TRUTH — _i.e._, where truth and fidelity towards God have their home (comp. Isaiah 1:21), “the faithful city.” (For the other two titles, see Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 31:23.) Zion shall return to her former condition of faithfulness, and consequent favour with God. (Comp. Zecha... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-5) This promise may well be regarded as having been fulfilled to the letter in the days of Simon the Maccabee (1Ma. 14:4-15), when “the ancient men sat in all the streets... and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel,” and “every man sat under his vine and his fig-tree, and there was n... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT BE MARVELLOUS IN THE EYES OF THE REMNANT OF THIS PEOPLE IN THESE DAYS. — Better, _though it was marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in those days, was it, therefore_ [or _will it, therefore, be_]_ marvellous in mine eyes?_ (Comp. “With men this is impossible; but with God all... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE EAST... AND FROM THE WEST. — There were Jews in exile in the west as well as in the east (Joel 3:6); and, indeed, a very general dispersion may be almost implied from Isaiah 43:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
See Notes on Zechariah 10:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROPHETS. — It would almost seem that there were other prophets who spoke at the time besides Haggai and Zechariah. THAT THE TEMPLE MIGHT BE BUILT. — These words seem to be used in reference to the resumption of the building (Haggai 1:15), when the people set themselves to work with a will, as contr... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE... THERE WAS NO HIRE FOR MAN, or cattle, because the land was so unproductive (Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:9); but “from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid... from this day will I bless _you_” (Haggai 2:18). LXX., ὁ μισθὸς... οὺκ ἔσται εἰς ὄνησιν, “the hire... would not be pro... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SEED... PROSPEROUS. — Comp. the Syriac, “for the seed shall be peace.” Better, as in margin, _For the seed of peace_ — viz., “the vine,” which is so called because it can flourish only in times of peace: so that to sit under the vine and under the fig. tree is a common figure to denote the e... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Isaiah 46:9 with Jeremiah 24:9. The contents of this verse is the converse of that of Joshua 23:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
(14-17) As the Captivity had been brought about by God’s decree, so, too, the Restoration. The people, therefore, need not fear, if only they do that which is righteous in His sight.... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGMENT OF TRUTH AND PEACE — _i.e.,_ in accordance with the true facts of the case, and such judgment as would tend to peace between man and man. (Comp. Zechariah 7:9; and contrast Malachi 2:8.)... [ Continue Reading ]
(18-23) This fourth section gives at last all that the prophet deigns to answer concerning the fast of the fifth month (Zechariah 7:3), and also concerning the other fasts. On the 9th or 17th of “the fourth” month (_Tammuz_) Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, in the eleventh year of Zedekiah (Je... [ Continue Reading ]
“THE FAST OF THE FOURTH [MONTH].” — LXX., after the analogy of Genesis 1:31, renders “the fourth fast,” and so also with the others.... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-23) The language of the promises contained in these verses is evidently borrowed from Micah 4:2; Isaiah 2:2. (Comp. Isaiah 45:14.) According to the figurative language of the Old Testament, the nations are represented as coming up to Jerusalem with the object, doubtless, of keeping there the fes... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE INHABITANTS OF ONE CITY SHALL GO TO ANOTHER. — LXX., καὶ συνελεύσονται κατοικοῦντες πέντε πόλεις εἰς μίαν πόλιν, “and the inhabitants of five cities shall come together to one city,” borrowing the word “five” possibly from Isaiah 19:18, “In that day there shall be _five_ cities... _one_ shal... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN. — This number is used indefinitely, to express a large number (comp. Genesis 31:7); the number “seven” is used in a like sense in Isaiah 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]