---
title: "Clarke"
description: "many other nations, 21-23. Compare Romans 11:15-16. NOTES ON CHAP. VIII Verse Zechariah 8:2. I was jealous — Some refer this to the Jews themselves. They"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/zechariah/8"
---

*many other nations*, 21-23.
*Compare* [Romans 11:15-16](../../../kjv/romans/11/15-16).
NOTES ON CHAP. VIII

Verse [Zechariah 8:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/2). ***I was jealous*** — Some refer this to the *Jews* themselves. They were as the *spouse* of Jehovah: but they were *unfaithful*, and God punished them as an *injured husband* might be expected to punish an unfaithful wife. Others apply it to the *enemies of the* *Jews*. Though I gave them a commission to afflict you, yet they exceeded their commission: I will therefore deal with them in *fury*- in *vindictive justice*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:3](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/3). ***I am returned unto Zion*** — I have restored her from her captivity. I will dwell among them. The temple shall be rebuilt, and so shall Jerusalem; and instead of being false, unholy, and profligate, it shall be *the city of truth*, and *my holy mountain*. *TRUTH shall dwell in it*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:4](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/4). ***There shall yet old men and old women*** — In those happy times the followers of God shall live out all their days, and the *hoary head* be always found in the way of righteousness.

Verse [Zechariah 8:5](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/5). ***The streets of the city shall be full of boys and**********girls*** — The progeny shall be *numerous, healthy*, and *happy*. Their innocent gambols and useful exercises shall be a means of *health*, and a proof of *happiness*. To be healthy, children must have exercise. But they cannot take exercise, except in the way of play and diversion: *ergo*, such playfulness cannot be sinful. Let them be kept from evil words, lying, swearing, and scurrility; and all the rest may be innocent.

Verse [Zechariah 8:6](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/6). ***If it be marvellous*** — You may think that this is impossible, considering your present low condition: but suppose it be impossible in *your eyes*, should it be *so* in *mine*! *saith the* *Lord of hosts*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/7). ***I will save my people from the east country, and from**********the west*** — From every land in which any of them may be found. But these promises principally regard the Christian Church, or the bringing in the Jews with the fulness of the Gentiles.

Verse [Zechariah 8:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/9). ***By the mouth of the prophets*** — The day or time of the foundation was about *two years* before, as this discourse of the prophet was in the *fourth* year of Darius. After this God raised up prophets among them.

Verse [Zechariah 8:10](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/10). ***For before these days there was no hire for man*** — Previously to this, ye had no prosperity; ye had nothing but civil divisions and domestic broils. I abandoned you to your own *spirits*, and to your own *ways*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:12](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/12). ***For the seed*****shall be*****prosperous*** — Ye shall be a holy and peaceable people; and God will pour down his blessing on yourselves, your fields, and your vineyards.

Verse [Zechariah 8:13](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/13). ***As ye were a curse*** — Instead of being execrated among the people, ye shall be blessed; instead of being reproached, ye shall be commended. Ye shall be a *blessing* to all the nations round about. All these promises we may expect to be completely fulfilled when the Jews acknowledge their Messiah.
***O house of Judah, and house of Israel*** — The restoration shall be complete, when both *Israel* and *Judah* are brought back.

Verse [Zechariah 8:16](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/16). ***Speak ye every man the truth*** — See [Zechariah 7:9-10](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/9-10).

Verse [Zechariah 8:19](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/19). ***The fast of the fourth*****month**] To commemorate the *taking of Jerusalem*; [2 Kings 25:3](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/3); [Jeremiah 39:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/2); [Jeremiah 52:6-7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/6-7).
***The fast of the fifth*** — In memory of the *ruin of the temple*, [2 Kings 25:8](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/8); [Jeremiah 52:12-13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/12-13).
***The fast of the seventh*** — For the *murder of Gedaliah*, [Jeremiah 41:1-17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/41/1-17).
***The fast of the tenth*** — In commemoration of the *siege of* *Jerusalem*, which began on the *tenth* day of the *tenth* month; [2 Kings 25:1](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/1); [Jeremiah 52:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/4); [Ezekiel 24:1-2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/24/1-2); and see on [Zechariah 7:3](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/3); [Zechariah 7:5](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/5).
***Cheerful feasts*** — Ye shall find all your evils so completely redressed, that these *mournful fasts* shall be turned into *joyful* *feasts*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:20](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/20). ***There shall come people*** — Similar promises to those in [Isaiah 2:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/3) and in [Micah 4:1-2](../../../kjv/micah/4/1-2). Many *Gentiles*, as well as *Jews*, will then be found devoting themselves to the Lord.

Verse [Zechariah 8:21](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/21). ***I will go also.*** — This is the answer of the person *invited*. It is a good work. We must have God for our friend. We cannot expect this unless we *seek* him: and as we know not what an hour may bring forth, let us go *speedily*.

Verse [Zechariah 8:22](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/22). ***And strong nations*** — This may refer to the conversion of the *Mohammedan* tribes; especially to those in the vicinity of Palestine. Perhaps even the *Egyptians*, inhabitants of *Arabia* *Petraea*, of *Syria*, &c.

Verse [Zechariah 8:23](../../../kjv/zechariah/8/23). ***Ten men - shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a**********Jew*** — The converts from among the Gentiles shall be to the Jews as *ten* to *one*. But *ten* may here signify a great number, without comparison. And from this scripture it appears as if the Jews, converted to God, should be the instruments of converting many *Gentiles*. See on [Isaiah 3:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/3/6). *Catching hold of the skirt* is a gesture naturally used to entreat assistance and protection. This and the three foregoing verses, says Abp. *Newcome*, refer to the great accession of converts which the Jewish Church received between the captivity and the coming of Christ; to the number of *Christian* disciples which the Jewish preachers made, and to the future conversions of which the restoration of the Jews will be an eminent cause.

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