_In that day_ The day, or period, so often mentioned before (Zechariah 12:3-4; Zechariah 12:6; Zechariah 12:8-9; Zechariah 12:11), in which this whole prophecy shall be fulfilled. _a fountain opened … for sin and for uncleanness_ The form of the promise is Jewish, the substance Christian. For the lu... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah 13:1-6. Worthy fruits of Repentance The mourning for sin thus produced and exhibited (Zechariah 12:10-14) shall be the precursor of cleansing from sin, for which ample and lasting provision shall be made, Zechariah 13:1; and of amendment of life. Idolatry and superstition shall be banishe... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will cut off_ Forgiveness (Zechariah 13:1) is the middle term between godly sorrow (Zechariah 12:10-14) and amendment (Zechariah 13:2-6). It has been argued that the sins which are here said to be abandoned were not the prevalent sins of the Jews after the captivity, and that therefore the prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
_his father and his mother_ In holy zeal they would carry out the law, "thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death." Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 13:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall be ashamed_ Pusey compares Acts 19:18-20. _hath prophesied_ Rather, PROPHESIETH, as R. V. _a rough garment_ Lit. A CLOAK OF HAIR: _a hairy mantle_, R. V. The word for _cloak_, or _cape_, is that used for the _mantle_of Elijah (1 Kings 19:13; 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:13-14), "the cape or wrap... [ Continue Reading ]
_a husbandman_ Lit. ONE TILLING THE GROUND, as Genesis 4:2. Comp. Amos 7:14, where however there is no repudiation as here of the prophetical office. _taught me to keep cattle_ or POSSESSED ME AS A SERF, OR CHATTEL: _adscriptus glebœ. I have been made a bondman_, R. V.... [ Continue Reading ]
_wounds in thine hands_ Lit. BETWEEN THY HANDS; i.e. probably, on thy breast: _between thine arms_, R. V. Comp. "between his arms," i.e. in his back, 2 Kings 9:24; "between your eyes," i.e. on your foreheads, Deuteronomy 11:18. The interrogator, in his zeal against false prophets, is still unsatisfi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Awake, O sword_ We have a similar apostrophe in Jeremiah 47:6. _my shepherd_ This may refer primarily to any Jewish king or ruler, for even a heathen king raised up by God to befriend His people is called by Him "My shepherd," Isaiah 44:28. But it is at the same time a distinct prophecy of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah 13:7-9. The purifying chastisement The smiting of the Shepherd shall lead to the dispersion of the flock, which shall not, however, be universal, Zechariah 13:7; for while two-thirds of it shall perish, one-third shall be spared, Zechariah 13:8, and shall be brought by the refining proces... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Second Section_. Zechariah 13:7 to Zechariah 14:21 The purification and final glory of Israel This Second Section of the Second Burden and conclusion of the whole Book describes the purifying chastisement that shall come upon the people, Zechariah 13:7-9; the great final conflict and delivera... [ Continue Reading ]
_in all the land_ i.e. of Palestine, which agrees with the view taken above that "the flock" is the Jewish church and people. _two parts_ Comp. 2 Samuel 8:2. This was terribly fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the third part_ Comp. Romans 11:5.... [ Continue Reading ]