Zechariah 9:2

shall border thereby i.e. as it is near Damascus in situation and like it in character, so shall it be the neighbour or companion of Damascus in the calamities which shall come upon it. The clause may, however, be rendered, And also Hamath, which borders by it (Damascus), shall be its rest, i.e. the rest of the burden of the Lord, as Damascus was said to be in the former verse. Which bordereth thereon, R. V.

though it be very wise Or, because she is, R. V. This is best referred to Tyre, the words, "and Zidon," being almost parenthetical, "Tyre with Zidon." Though Sidon was the mother city it had long been eclipsed by Tyre, to which in the predictions of other prophets (Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 27:28), as here (Zechariah 9:3-4), the chief place is assigned. The "wisdom" of Tyre is specially mentioned by Ezekiel, "Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel" (Ezekiel 28:3), and as here (Zechariah 9:3) its practical application to the amassing of wealth is noted (Zechariah 9:4-5), and this is made the cause of the judgment that comes upon her (Zechariah 9:6-7).