Zechariah 8:9

by the mouth Rather, from the mouth. R. V.

the prophets, which were, &c. Remember that "these words" of promise (e.g. Zechariah 8:3-8 supra) which you are hearing in "these days" are spoken to you by the same prophets who first urged you to the work, and whose earlier promises then made are already being fulfilled to you, Zechariah 8:10-11; Haggai 2:15-19.

that the temple might be built Rather, even the temple, that it might he built, as R. V. This clause seems to be added to shew that it is not the first laying of the foundation, which was followed by no further progress (Ezra 3:10-12), but the vigorous resumption of the work, a second founding, as it were, with a view to building, in which "the prophets" (Ezra 5:1-2) bore so prominent a part, that is here referred to.