Again the word of the LORD of hosts came [to me], saying, Ver. 1. _Again the word of the Lord of hosts_] As for reprehension in the former chapter, so for consolation in this; that they might not be discouraged, or say, as once they did, There is no hope; but lifting up the hands which hung down, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Ver. 2. _I was jealous for Zion_] _See Trapp on "_ Zec 1:14 _"_ Jealous as a husband, zealous as a loving father; for, _Non amat qui non zelat,_ He does not love who does not ardentl... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Ver. 3. _I am returned unto Zion_] After a long absence, as it may seem by the late troubles, and that dism... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age._ Ver. 4. _There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem_] Because the "Ancient of days, the just Lord, is in the m... [ Continue Reading ]
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Ver. 5. _And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls_] Lads and lasses (as the Hebrew seems to sound), that mind little else but play as if, with leviathan, they had been made to sport, or as... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 6. _If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people_] Here the Lord graciously answereth the secret objec... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; Ver. 7. _Behold, I will save my people from the east_] This was in part, no doubt, literally meant to be the scattered Jews; and fulfilled also in those 500 years' time between the captivit... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. Ver. 8. _And I will bring them_] And then they are sure to be brought. For who hath resisted his will? he will breathe life into those dead bon... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which [were] in the day [that] the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. Ver. 9. _Let your hands be strong_] Having therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour. Ver. 10. _For before these days_] _sc._ During those forty and four years, wherein the... [ Continue Reading ]
But now I [will] not [be] unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts. Ver. 11. _But now I will not be unto the residue, &c._] Now that the temple is well nigh perfected, and so the cause of my displeasure removed; the matter you see is already well amended, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things]. Ver. 12. _For the seed shall be prosperous_] Or, full and perfect, as the Chald... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong. Ver. 13. _As ye were a curse among the heathen_] The people of God's wrath, and of his curse, Isai... [ Continue Reading ]
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: Ver. 14. _As I thought to punish you_] He had promised to make them of a curse a blessing, and here he shows them the cause of this change, namely, God'... [ Continue Reading ]
So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. Ver. 15. _So again have I thought_] _Sic conversus sum._ This change was not in God, but in the people, to whom he is now resolved to show mercy, and that from a gracious purpose and determinatio... [ Continue Reading ]
These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: Ver. 16. _These are the things that ye shall do_] Heb. These are the words. God will not so do all good for his people, but that they should reciprocate and... [ Continue Reading ]
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these [are things] that I hate, saith the LORD. Ver. 17. _And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts_] _See Trapp on "_ Zec 7:10 _"_ Take notice here, that as conversing with evil imagination... [ Continue Reading ]
And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, Ver. 18. _And the word_] _See Trapp on "_ Zec 8:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Ver. 19. _The fast of the fourth month_] Wherein... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: Ver. 20. _It shall yet come to pass that there shall come people_] The prophet cannot shut up with the former corollary; but further comforts the Jews with a promise of the... [ Continue Reading ]
And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Ver. 21. _And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another_] Not only come upon them when they light on them, and they have a fit opportunity,... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Ver. 22. _Yea, many people and strong nations, &c._] The most populous and potent people subdued by Christ (not by any army, nor by power, but by God's Spirit of power, of love, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you. Ver. 23. _Ten men shall take hold o... [ Continue Reading ]