1.
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
rain, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14 ) = rain of rain = copious rains. App-92 .
so, &c. Render: "of Jehovah Who maketh. and giveth".
shall make = Who maketh.
and give = and giveth.
them. Some codices, with Syriac, read "you".
2.
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
idols. Hebrew. teraphim, or household gods. These cannot give rain (Jeremiah 14:22 ). vanity trash.
a flock = he-goats: i.e. bell-wethers. Compare Isaiah 14:9 . Jeremiah 51:40 .
3.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
punished = shall visit upon.
the LORD of hosts . See note on Zechariah 1:3 .
goodly horse = majestic war-horse.
4.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
him : i.e. Judah (Zechariah 10:3 ), Compare Jeremiah 30:21 .
came forth = went forth.
the corner = the corner-stone (Matthew 21:42 ) = Messiah.
nail = tent-pin, or peg. Compare Isaiah 22:23 .
the battle bow . Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for all kinds of weapons.
oppressor = governor, or ruler.
5.
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
streets = lanes, or out-places.
6.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
hear = answer.
7.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
they . A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), reads "he".
they of Ephraim, &c. - they (or he) shall be as a mighty one (or warrior) of Ephraim.
as through wine = as wine [snaketh the heart to rejoice]. Psalms 104:15 .
wine . Hebrew. yayin, App-7
children = sons.
8.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
hiss : or, signal. The figure is borrowed from bee -keepers (Isaiah 5:26 ; Isaiah 7:18 ).
have increased = did increase [before]. Compare Ex, Zechariah 1:7 .
9.
And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
sow. Compare Hosea 2:23 .
people = peoples. they shall remember Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:1 ).
live with, &c. = live, and return with.
turn = return.
10.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Labanon; and place shall not be found for them.
I will bring them again , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:3 , Deuteronomy 30:5 ). See App-92 .
place. Supply: "[the necessary room]".
11.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
And = Though.
he . Septuagint reads "they".
with = of. Gen, of Apposition. See App-17 .
the river : i.e. the Nile.
12.
And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
walkup and down , &c. = walk (habitually). Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 5:24 ; Genesis 6:9 ; Genesis 17:1 ). App-92 . Compare Micah 4:5 ; Micah 6:8 .
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.