The inscription seems not to agree with what follows, for he does not denounce any evil on the chosen people in this chapter, but, on the contrary, comforts the miserable, and promises that God would provide for the safety of his Church. Since then Zechariah speaks only of God’s favor and aid, he se... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah begins here to teach us what I have briefly explained, that Jerusalem would be under the protection of God, who would render it safe and secure against all enemies. But he uses here figurative terms, which make the point more evident. He says, that Jerusalem would be a _threshold of bruisi... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah adds here another metaphor, which is very apposite; for when the ungodly made war against the holy city, the object was not to reduce it only to subjection, or to impose a tribute or a tax, or simply to rule over it, — what then? to cut it off entirely and obliterate its name. Since then s... [ Continue Reading ]
He pursues here the same subject, but in other words, — that multiplicity of means is in God’s hand, by which he can drive away and break down the fury of enemies. By the words _horse and its rider_, the Prophet, stating a part for the whole, means whatever is strong, and intimates that it can be ea... [ Continue Reading ]
He still continues the same subject — that however small and feeble the flock of God would be, it would yet have sufficient strength; for the Lord would stand on the side of those who fled to him. Though then Jerusalem was not as yet filled with citizens, and though there was but one city, yet Zecha... [ Continue Reading ]
He adds another metaphor for the sake of a further confirmation; for he says, that the chiefs of Judah would be like a melting pot: some render it a hearth, but improperly and without meaning. He afterwards compares them to a _flaming torch_, and heathen nations to wood and stubble or chaff. The Spi... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet teaches us again, — that there is no need of helps when God stretches forth his hand to preserve his people; for he is alone abundantly sufficient. And the design of the verse is to show, that the Jews were to learn to acquiesce in God alone, though they might find themselves destitute o... [ Continue Reading ]
He goes on with the same subject; and he says that God would be like a shield to protect the Jews. For though the verb יגן, _igen_, is used here, yet as it is derived from מגן, _megen_, which means a shield, that metaphor is to be understood here, — even that the Jews, though without power and witho... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet repeats again, that though ungodly and wicked men assailed the Church in great number on every side, God would yet be its defender. By saying, _I will seek to destroy_, etc., he means that God would he fully bent (_intentum _) to destroy, as men are wont to be anxious when they earnestly... [ Continue Reading ]
At the beginning of this verse the Prophet intimates, that though the Jews were then miserable and would be so in future, yet God would be merciful to them: and thus he exhorts them to patience, that they might not faint through a long-continued weariness. For it was not enough to promise to them wh... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet says nearly the same thing to the end of the chapter; but as the event was worthy of being commemorated, he embellishes it with many figurative terms. He then says, that the _lamentation _for the death of Christ would be like that after the death of Josiah; for they who would have Hadadr... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah seems to have used more words than necessary to complete his subject; for he appears to be diffuse on a plain matter: but we ought to attend to its vast importance; for it seemed incredible, that any of that nation would repent, since they had almost all been given up to a reprobate mind.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now, why he names the _house of Levi_, and the _house of Shimei_, or _of Simeon_, and the _house of David_, and _the house of Nathan_, rather than the other tribes, is uncertain: yet it seems to me probable that by the family of David he means the whole tribe of Judah, and the same by the family of... [ Continue Reading ]
He says in the last place, that this lamentation would be common to all the remaining families. Though few had returned, except those from the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, and from the tribe of Levi, yet Zechariah, as I think, means here by the remaining families, the elect who had been miraculously... [ Continue Reading ]