And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains [were] mountains of brass. Ver. 1. _And I turned, and lift up mine eyes_] _i.e._ I passed on to another vision; and I lifted up the eyes of my mind, higher to h... [ Continue Reading ]
In the first chariot [were] red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; Ver. 2. _In the first chariot were red horses, &c._] These various colours seem to set forth the various administrations of the angels, deputed to various employments. The black colour betokeneth sorrowful occurrences a... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What [are] these, my lord? Ver. 4. _What are these, my lord?_] Difficulty doth but whet desire in heroic spirits; the harder the vision the more earnest was the prophet's inquisition: he was restless till better resolved; and therefore ap... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel answered and said unto me, These [are] the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. Ver. 5. _These are the four spirits of the heavens_] Angels are spirits, Hebrews 1:7; Hebrews 1:14, and spirits of heaven, Mat 24:36 Galatians 1:8, re... [ Continue Reading ]
The black horses which [are] therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. Ver. 6. _The black horses which are therein, &c._] These angels are appointed to several countries. The black horses to Babylon (which lay nort... [ Continue Reading ]
And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. Ver. 7. _And the bay went forth, &c._] Junius reads it, And the strong, or confirmed ones; that is,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. Ver. 8. _Then cried he upon me_] That I might the better observe it, since he spake it with such great vehemence. _ Have pacified my spirit_] _i.e._ _Perfec... [ Continue Reading ]
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Ver. 9. _And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying_]. This second part of the chapter is not a vision, but a sermon, or a historical prediction of what was really to be done. For as God's Spirit was quieted, and, as it were, comforted, by the angel... [ Continue Reading ]
Take of [them of] the captivity, [even] of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; Ver. 10. _Take of them of the captivity_] _i.e._ Of the returned captives, _ even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set [them] upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; Ver. 11. _Make crowns_] Two, saith Piscator; one of gold, for the kingly dignity, another of silver, for the priesthood. Three, saith a Lapide, who makes it a type, as of Christ'... [ Continue Reading ]
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Ver. 12. _And spake unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying_] That is, confidently and... [ Continue Reading ]
Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Ver. 13. _Even he shall build the temple of the Lord_] The same again, for greater assuranc... [ Continue Reading ]
And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. Ver. 14. And the crowns shall be to Helem … for a memorial] Or monument of their incredulity, saith Calvin, and for their full conviction. _See Trapp on "_ Ze... [ Continue Reading ]
And they [that are] far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God. Ver. 15. _And they that are far off_] This was fulfilled in the conve... [ Continue Reading ]