---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Zechariah 9:1. The burden of the word of the Lord — The oracle contained in the word which Jehovah now speaks. This is a prophecy against Syria, the"
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url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/zechariah/9"
---

Verse [Zechariah 9:1](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/1). ***The burden of the word of the Lord*** — The *oracle* contained in the word which Jehovah now speaks.
This is a prophecy against Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, and Sidon, which were to be subdued by Alexander the Great. After this the prophet speaks gloriously concerning the coming of Christ, and redemption by him.
Most learned men are of opinion that this and the succeeding chapters are not the work of *Zechariah*, but rather of *Jeremiah;* *Hosea*, or some one before the captivity. It is certain that [Zechariah 11:12-13](../../../kjv/zechariah/11/12-13), is quoted [Matthew 27:9-10](../../../kjv/matthew/27/9-10), as the language of *Jeremiah* the prophet. The *first eight* chapters appear by the introductory parts to be the prophecies of *Zechariah*: they stand in connection with each other, are pertinent to the time when they were delivered, are uniform in style and manner, and constitute a regular whole; but the *six* last chapters are not expressly assigned to Zechariah, and are unconnected with those that precede:-the *three* first of them are unsuitable in many parts to the time when Zechariah lived; all of them have a more adorned and poetical turn of composition than the eight first chapters, and they manifestly break the unity of the prophetical book.
I conclude, from internal marks, that these *three* chapters, ([Zechariah 9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9), [Zechariah 10](../../../kjv/zechariah/10), [Zechariah 11](../../../kjv/zechariah/11)) were written much *earlier* than the time of Jeremiah, and before the captivity of the *ten tribes*. They seem to suit *Hosea's* age and manner; but whoever wrote them, their Divine authority is established by the two *quotations* from them, [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9); [Zechariah 11:12-13](../../../kjv/zechariah/11/12-13). See below.
The *twelfth, thirteenth*, and *fourteenth* chapters form a distinct prophecy, and were *written after the death of Josiah*, [Zechariah 12:11](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/11); but whether before or after the captivity, and by *what prophet*, is uncertain, although I incline to think that the author lived *before* the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. See on [Zechariah 13:2-6](../../../kjv/zechariah/13/2-6). They are *twice* quoted in the New Testament, [Zechariah 12:10](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/10); [Zechariah 13:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/13/7). -*Newcome*.
My own opinion is, that these chapters form not only a distinct *work*, but belong to a *different author*. If they do not belong to *Jeremiah*, they form a *thirteenth* book in the *minor prophets*, but the inspired writer is unknown.
***The land of Hadrach*** — The valley of Damascus, or a place near to Damascus. Alexander the Great gained possession of Damascus, and took all its treasures; but it was without blood; the city was betrayed to him.
***Damascus*****shall be*****the rest thereof*** — The principal part of this calamity shall fall on this city. God's anger *rests* on those whom he *punishes*, Eze 5:13; Eze 16:42; Eze 24:13. And his rod, or his *arm, rests* upon his enemies, [Psalms 125:3](../../../kjv/psalms/125/3); [Isaiah 30:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/23). See *Newcome*.
***When the eye of man*** — *Newcome* translates thus:
"For the eye of Jehovah is *over* man,
And over all the tribes of Israel."

This is an easy sense, and is followed by the *versions*.

Verse [Zechariah 9:2](../../../kjv/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 *Zechariah*; for there is no evidence - although Alexander did take Damascus, but *without bloodshed*- that it was destroyed from the times of Zechariah to the advent of our Lord. And as *Tyre* and *Sidon* were lately destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, it is not likely that they could soon undergo another devastation.

Verse [Zechariah 9:3](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/ezekiel/28/1), &c.

Verse [Zechariah 9:4](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/4). ***Will smite her power in the sea*** — See [Ezekiel 26:17](../../../kjv/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 1:6-8](../../../kjv/amos/1/6-8); [Zephaniah 2:4](../../../kjv/zephaniah/2/4); [Zephaniah 2:7](../../../kjv/zephaniah/2/7).

Verse [Zechariah 9:5](../../../kjv/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.

Verse [Zechariah 9:6](../../../kjv/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 word signifies a *stranger*.

Verse [Zechariah 9:7](../../../kjv/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; and particularly the cities of Gaza, and *Ashdod*. See *Joseph*. Antiq. lib. xlii., c. 15, s. 4.

Verse [Zechariah 9:8](../../../kjv/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 consequence, Alexander spared *both*, which he had previously purposed to destroy. He showed the Jews also much favour, and remitted the tax every *seventh year*, because the *law* on that year forbade them to *cultivate* their ground. See this extraordinary account in *Joseph*. Antiq. lib. xi., c. 8, s. 5. Bishop *Newcome* translates: "I will encamp about my house with an army, so that none shall pass through or return."

Verse [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9). ***Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion*** — See this prophecy explained on [Matthew 21:5](../../../kjv/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 righteous One, and the Fountain of righteousness.
***Having salvation*** — He alone can *save* from *sin, Satan, death*, and *hell*.
***Lowly*** — Without *worldly pomp* or *splendour*; for neither his kingdom, nor that of his followers, is of *this world*.
***Riding upon an ass*** — God had commanded the kings of Israel not to multiply *horses*. The kings who broke this command were miserable themselves, and scourgers to their people. Jesus came to *fulfil* *the law*. Had he in his title of *king* rode upon a *horse*, it would have been a *breach* of a positive command of God; therefore, he rode upon an *ass*, and thus fulfilled the *prophecy*, and kept the *precept* unbroken. Hence it is immediately added-

Verse [Zechariah 9:10](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/zechariah/4/6).

Verse [Zechariah 9:11](../../../kjv/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 ancient sacrifices.
***I have sent forth thy prisoners*** — Those who were under the arrest of God's judgments; the *human race*, fast bound in sin and misery, and who by the pitifulness of his tender mercy were loosed, he dying in their stead.

Verse [Zechariah 9:12](../../../kjv/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 the covenant*; and, through that *blood*, to GOD, the Father of all.
***I will render double unto thee*** — Give thee an *abundance* of peace and salvation.

Verse [Zechariah 9:13](../../../kjv/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 *Maccabees* gained over *Antiochus*, who was of *Macedonian* *descent*; and it is probable that these prophecies remain to be fulfilled against the present possessors of *Javan* or *Greece,* *Macedonia*, and a part of *Asia Minor*.

Verse [Zechariah 9:14](../../../kjv/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; we have a good imitation of it in Nonnus: -

Και τοτε γαιαν ἁπασαν επεκλυσεν ὑετιος Ζευς,
Πυκνωσας νεφεεσσιν ὁλον πολον· ουρανιη γαρ
Βρονταιοις παταγοισι Διος μυκησατο σαλπιγξ.
NONN. DIONYS., lib. 6. ver. 229.

"When heaven's dread *trumpet*, sounding from on high,
Breaks forth in thunders through the darken'd sky;
The pregnant clouds to floods of rain give birth.
And stormy Jove o'erwhelms the solid earth."
J. B. B. C.

In these two verses there is a fine *image*, and an *allusion* to a particular fact, which have escaped the notice of every commentator. I must repeat the verses:
[Zechariah 9:13](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/13): When I have *bent* Judah for me, *filled the bow* with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
[Zechariah 9:14](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/14): And the LORD shall be seen over them, and *his* *arrows shall go forth like lightning*.
The reader will consult what is said on [Hosea 7:16](../../../kjv/hosea/7/16), relative to the *oriental bow*, which resembles a [figure "C"] in its quiescent state, and must be *recurved* in order to be strung. Here, *Judah* is represented as the *recurved bow; Ephraim*, as an *arrow* placed on the *string*, and then discharged against the Javanites or Greeks with the momentum of *lightning*; the *arrow kindling* in its course through the air, and thus becoming the bolt of death to them against whom it was directed.
Volat illud, et incandescit eundo,
Et quos non habuit, sub nubibus invenit ignes.

"It flies apace; and, *heating*, mounts on high,
*Glows* in its course, and *burns* along the sky."

Verse [Zechariah 9:15](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/judges/20/16).
***They shall drink*** — After the victory gained as above, thy people shall hold a *feast*, and *drink and be filled with wine*. There is no intimation here that they shall *drink the blood of their enemies*, as some barbarous nations were accustomed to do. When they have gained the victory, they shall banquet abundantly on the spoils taken from the enemy.
***As the corners of the altar.*** — They shall pour out libations of wine at the foot of the altar, as the priests were accustomed to pour out the blood of the victims.

Verse [Zechariah 9:16](../../../kjv/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*, as *monuments* of some deliverance, they seem to be *lifting themselves up*; offering themselves to the *attention* of every passenger. It may however refer to *stones* *anointed with oil*; a sort of temporary *altars* set up to the Lord for a victory gained. The same word is used, [Leviticus 21:12](../../../kjv/leviticus/21/12): "Because the crown, נזר *nezer*, of the anointing oil of his God is upon him." Perhaps most of those *upright stones*, standing in *circles*, which pass for *druidical monuments*, were erected to commemorate victories, or to grace the tomb of an illustrious chief. These verses may refer to some final victory over the enemies of God's people.

Verse [Zechariah 9:17](../../../kjv/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 shall *speak aloud* of God's mercies in their *harvest home*.
***And new wine the maids.*** — Who shall prepare the wine from an abundant vintage.

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