Zechariah 2:1. _a man_ Probably an angel in human form, called a "young man," Zechariah 2:4, where see note _a measuring line_ The word is not the same as in Zechariah 1:16; but the promise there is taken up here, and its literal fulfilment, which the action of the man with the line seemed about to... [ Continue Reading ]
_went forth_ from the place where he was standing beside me. Comp. Isaiah 26:21. _went out_ Rather, WENT FORTH, the Hebrew word being the same as before. This second angel is seen going forth from the opposite side of the stage on which the vision appears, to meet the interpreting angel as he went... [ Continue Reading ]
_and said unto him_ Rather, AND HE SAID UNTO HIM; i.e. the interpreting angel said to the second angel whom he met. That he might remain himself near the prophet, whose interpreter he was appointed to be throughout the whole series of visions, he sent his brother angel instead of going himself in pu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ho, ho, come forth and flee_ The words "come forth" are not in the Hebrew, and the R.V. omits them: _Ho, ho, flee_. Some would supply, "hear:" "Ho, ho (hear) and flee." _the land of the north_ i.e. Babylonia. Comp. Jeremiah 3:12; Jeremiah 3:18; Jeremiah 23:8. _have spread you abroad_ Some regard t... [ Continue Reading ]
That they may share in the promised favour to Zion, but also (and this is put first and urgently, because the judgment was imminent) that they may escape the coming punishment of Babylon, the Jews still remaining there are called upon to return to their own country.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deliver thyself_ Lit. " HO, ZION, DELIVER THYSELF: THOU THAT DWELLEST WITH, &c." The reason for this urgent call to escape, viz. the impending judgment upon Babylon, follows immediately, Zechariah 2:8-9. In like manner Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 50:10; Jeremiah 51:6; Jeremiah 51:45), and bef... [ Continue Reading ]
_after the glory_ rather, AFTER GLORY. There is no article to shew that there is a reference, as has been supposed, to Zechariah 2:5, so that it would mean, "after the glory which I have promised has come upon Israel," &c. The more probable meaning therefore is, "after," i.e. in pursuit, or in prose... [ Continue Reading ]
_shake mine hand_ Job 31:21; Isaiah 19:16. _a spoil to their servants_ They "which spoiled you," Zechariah 2:8, shall be themselves "a spoil," and that to those whom they held in servitude, _those that served them_R. V. _hath sent me_ The divine mission of the angel who foretells these things shal... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will dwell in the midst of thee_ This prophecy had a fulfilment, when the Temple was rebuilt and the worship of God was resumed on Mount Zion. But it had a higher fulfilment when "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14; Malachi 3:1), and the promise of the Gentiles being joined to... [ Continue Reading ]
_be joined join themselves_. R. V.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the holy land_ made so by God dwelling there. Comp. Exodus 3:5. _again shall yet choose Jerusalem_. R. V.... [ Continue Reading ]
_be silent_ Comp. Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7. _raised up waked up_. R. V. _his holy habitation_ From heaven, "the habitation of His holiness" (Deuteronomy 26:15; Jeremiah 25:30), where He had seemed to dwell, far off from the affairs of earth, Jehovah should arise, or awake, and come forth to ju... [ Continue Reading ]