INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 2 This chapter contains a prophecy of the church under the Gospel dispensation; of the largeness and numbers of it; and of its protection and glory, through the presence of God in it. In this vision a man is seen with a measuring line in his hand, to measure Jerusalem with... [ Continue Reading ]
I LIFTED UP MINE EYES AGAIN, AND LOOKED,.... And saw a third vision; which, as Kimchi owns, refers to the times of the Messiah; though it might be of use to the Jews then present, to encourage them to expect the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in a literal sense: AND BEHOLD A MAN WITH A MEASURING LINE IN... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID I, WHITHER GOEST THOU?.... As it showed great freedom and boldness in the prophet to put such a question to the man with the measuring reed, it was great condescension in him to return him an answer, as follows: AND HE SAID UNTO ME, TO MEASURE JERUSALEM; not literally understood, which wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, BEHOLD, THE ANGEL THAT TALKED WITH ME WENT FORTH,.... See Zechariah 1:9 and he "went forth" from the place where the prophet was, with whom he had been conversing: AND ANOTHER ANGEL WENT OUT TO MEET HIM: the same that was seen among the myrtle trees, Zechariah 1:8 and here, with a measuring li... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID UNTO HIM,.... That is, the other angel said to the angel that had been talking with the prophet, RUN, SPEAK TO THIS YOUNG MAN: meaning Zechariah, who was either young in years, as Samuel and Jeremiah were when they prophesied; or he was a servant of a prophet older than he, and therefore s... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I, SAITH THE LORD, WILL BE UNTO HER A WALL OF FIRE ROUND ABOUT,..... So that she needs no other wall to secure her, the power of God encompassing her about as the mountains did Jerusalem, Psalms 125:2 and he being as a wall of fire to terrify and destroy her enemies; for our God is a consuming... [ Continue Reading ]
HO, HO,.... This word expresses a call and proclamation; and is doubled, as Kimchi observes, to confirm it; and so the Targum paraphrases it, "proclaim to the dispersed:'' [COME FORTH], AND FLEE FROM THE LAND OF THE NORTH, SAITH THE LORD; that is, from Babylon, which lay north of Judea; see Jeremi... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER THYSELF, O ZION,.... Or make thy escape, you that belong to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, and ought to have your abode there, and not in Babylon: flee from thence, THAT DWELLETH [WITH] THE DAUGHTER OF BABYLON; in any of the antichristian states, who are the daughters of Babylon, t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS,.... Christ, who is the true Jehovah, and Lord of armies, as appears from his being sent in the next clause: AFTER THE GLORY; which is promised, Zechariah 2:5 so the Targum and Kimchi; or, "afterwards" shall be "the glory" l; or a glorious time and state; that is, a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD, I WILL SHAKE MINE HAND UPON THEM,.... The nations; either the Babylonian, or the antichristian states; meaning, that he would exert his power, and inflict punishment on them, and utterly destroy them; which would be done by the bare shaking of his hand: AND THEY SHALL BE A SPOIL TO THE... [ Continue Reading ]
SING AND REJOICE, O DAUGHTER OF ZION,.... Or, "congregation of Zion", as the Targum paraphrases it; the Jewish church, great numbers of that people being converted, and in a church state; or the whole Christian church at this time, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, who are called upon to rejoice and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY NATIONS SHALL BE JOINED TO THE LORD IN THAT DAY,.... The Gospel will be preached in all nations, and multitudes will be converted, and embrace and profess the Christian religion, and join themselves to the churches of Christ, which, in the New Testament, is expressed by being joined to the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SHALL INHERIT JUDAH HIS PORTION IN THE HOLY LAND,.... The Lord's people is his portion, and the lot of his inheritance; whom he has chosen, and calls as such, whether they be Jews or Gentiles; but here it seems to mean the believing Jews; who, it is very likely, upon their conversion, w... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SILENT, O ALL FLESH, BEFORE THE LORD,.... Be filled with fear, awe, and astonishment, at the wonderful work of God; the destruction of antichrist; the conversion of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles: let them not open their mouths, or dare to say one word against it. The Targum interprets... [ Continue Reading ]