CHAPTER IX _Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine, were conquered by_ _Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Alexander. Some apply the_ _beginning of this chapter (1-7) to the one event, and some to_ _the other. The close of the_ seventh _verse relates to the number_ _of Philistines that should become pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:2. _AND HAMATH ALSO SHALL BORDER THEREBY_] _Hamath_ on the river Orontes; and _Tyre_ and _Sidon_, notwithstanding their political wisdom, address, and cunning, shall have a part in the punishment. These prophecies are more suitable to the days of _Jeremiah_ than to those of _Zecha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:3. _AND TYRUS DID BUILD HERSELF_] The rock on which Tyre was built was strongly _fortified_; and that she had abundance of _riches_ has been already seen, Ezekiel 28:1, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:4. _WILL SMITE HER POWER IN THE SEA_] See Ezekiel 26:17. Though Alexander did take Tyre, Sidon, Gaza, c. yet it seems that the prediction relative to their destruction was fulfilled by _Nebuchadnezzar_. See Amos 1:6; Zephaniah 2:4; Zephaniah 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:5. _ASHKELON SHALL SEE_ IT, _AND FEAR_] All these prophecies seem to have been fulfilled before the days of Zechariah; another evidence that these last chapters were not written by him. _HER EXPECTATION SHALT BE ASHAMED_] The expectation of being succoured by Tyre.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:6. _A BASTARD SHALL DWELL IN ASHDOD_] This character would suit Alexander very well, who most certainly was a _bastard_; for his mother Olympia said that Jupiter Ammon entered her apartment in the shape of a dragon, and begat Alexander! Could her husband Philip believe this? The wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:7. _I WILL TAKE AWAY HIS BLOOD OUT OF HIS MOUTH_] The Philistines, when incorporated with the Israelites, shall abstain from _blood_, and every thing that is abominable. _AND EKRON AS A JEBUSITE._] As an inhabitant of Jerusalem. Many of the Philistines became proselytes to Judiasm... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:8. _I WILL ENCAMP ABOUT MINE HOUSE_] This may apply to the conquests in Palestine by _Alexander_, who, coming with great wrath against Jerusalem, was met by _Jaddua_ the high priest and his fellows in their sacred robes, who made intercession for the city and the temple; and, in co... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:9. _REJOICE GREATLY, O DAUGHTER OF ZION_] See this prophecy explained on Matthew 21:5. _BEHOLD, THY KING COMETH_] Not _Zerubbabel_, for he was never _king_; nor have they had a _king_, except Jesus the Christ, from the days of Zedekiah to the present time. _HE_ IS _JUST_] The rig... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:10. _I WILL CUT OFF THE CHARIOT FROM EPHRAIM, AND THE HORSE_ _FROM JERUSALEM_] No wars shall be employed to spread the kingdom of the Messiah; for it shall be founded and established, "not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts," Zechariah 4:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:11. _AS FOR THEE ALSO_ (Jerusalem) _BY THE BLOOD OF THY_ _COVENANT_] The covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites in general, and ratified by the _blood_ of many victims; until the time should come in which the _Messiah_ should shed his blood, as typified by the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:12. _TURN YOU TO THE STRONG HOLD_] Ye who _feel_ your _sins_, and are _shut up_ under a sense of your guilt, look up to him who was delivered for your offences, and rose again for your justification. Ye have _hope_; let that hope lead you to _faith_, and that faith to the _blood of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:13. _WHEN I HAVE BENT JUDAH_] Judah is the _bow_, and Ephraim is the _arrows_; and these are to be shot against the _Greeks_. I am inclined, with Bp. _Newcome_, to consider that the language of this prophecy is too strong to point out the only trifling advantage which the _Maccabee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:14. _THE LORD SHALL BE SEEN OVER THEM_] Shadowing and refreshing them, as the cloud did the camp in the wilderness. _HIS ARROW SHALL GO FORTH AS THE LIGHTNING_] They shall be conquered in a way that will show that God fights for his followers. The description here is very sublime... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:15. _THE LORD OF HOSTS SHALL DEFEND THEM_] He alone is the sure trust of his Church. _SUBDUE WITH SLING-STONES_] This was an ancient and powerful _instrument_ in the hands of the Hebrews. Judges 20:16. _THEY SHALL DRINK_] After the victory gained as above, thy people shall hold a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:16. _SHALL SAVE THEM IN THAT DAY_] They are his _flock_, and he is their _Shepherd_; and, as his own, he shall save and defend them. As _the stones of a crown_] אבני נזר מתנוססות _abney nezer_ _mithnosesoth_, "crowned stones erecting themselves;" i.e., being _set up by themselves... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 9:17. _HOW GREAT_ IS _HIS GOODNESS_] In _himself_ and towards _them_. _AND HOW GREAT_ IS _HIS BEAUTY!_] His _comeliness, holiness_, and _purity_, put _in_ and upon them. _CORN SHALL MAKE THE YOUNG MEN CHEERFUL_] They shall be gladdened and strengthened by plenty of food; and they s... [ Continue Reading ]