1.
Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
the LORD of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3 .
to me . Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Syriac, read these words in the text.
2.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Thus saith , &c. There is a decalogue of prophecies concerning Jerusalem and its inhabitants in this mem ber ("V", see p. 1287). See verses: Zechariah 8:2 , Zechariah 8:3 , Zechariah 8:4 , Zechariah 2:6 , Zechariah 2:7 , Zechariah 2:9 , Zec 2:14 , Zec 2:19 , Zec 2:20 , Zec 2:23 . All refer to the future, and await their fulfilment in millennial days.
saith = hath said.
was = I was and still am.
3.
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .
will dwell in the midst, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45 ). App-92 .
a city of truth = a city of fidelity.
truth = the truth. Compare Isaiah 1:21 , Isaiah 1:26 .
the holy mountain. Compare Isaiah 2:2 .Jeremiah 31:23 .Ezekiel 40:2 .Micah 4:1 .
holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .
4.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
yet. In the days of the future fulfilment.
dwell = sit.
streets = broad or open places.
every man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
for very age = for multitude of days.
5.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
6.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
the remnant. The exiles who had then returned. Compare Haggai 1:12 , Haggai 1:14 .
should it also be marvellous , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:14 , where the verb is the same). App-92 .
Mine eyes. Add by Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), from preceding clause: "[in those future days]" of which He was speaking.
saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts.
7.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;
Behold, I will , &c. = Behold Me saving, &c. from the east country, &a Compare Isaiah 43:5 . Note the Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole earth, See Psalms 50:1 ; Psalms 113:3 .Isaiah 59:19 . Malachi 1:11 , &c.
8.
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
they shall be, &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7 ). App-92 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
9.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
the prophets . See Haggai 1:6-11 ; Haggai 2:15-19 .
in the day that : i.e. two years before (Haggai 1:14 , Haggai 1:15 ; Haggai 2:18 . Compare Ezra 5:1 ). App-18 .
that the temple = even the temple, that is.
10.
For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.
these = those.
hire = wages.
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
men. Hebrew. 'adam:. App-14 .
every one. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
set = sent.
11.
But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
now. In contrast with the former days.
12.
For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
the seed shall be , &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:3-12 ). App-92 .
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndefon ( App-6 ). combined with Figure of speech Anabasis ( App-6 ),
ground = earth.
shall give, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:4 , Leviticus 26:20 . Deuteronomy 11:17 . App-92 . Compare Psalms 67:6 ; Psalms 78:46 ; Psalms 85:12 .Ezekiel 34:27 .
13.
And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
as = according as.
heathen = nations.
house of Israel. Looking on to the future fulfilment, which rests on the condition of Zechariah 8:8 .
ye shall be a blessing . Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 12:2 ). App-92 .
14.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:
punish = bring calamity upon. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .
15.
So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.
16.
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
Speak , &c. Compare Zechariah 8:19 ; Zechariah 7:9 .
every man . Hebrew ' ish . App-14 .
execute , &c. See note on Zechariah 7:9 .
17.
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
evil. Hebrew. ra a '. App-44
love no false oath. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:3 ; Leviticus 19:12 ). all these are things that I hate. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "all these things do I hate".
18.
And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,
19.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
saith = hath said.
the fourth month. The ninth of Tammuz (Jeremiah 52:6 , Jeremiah 52:7 ), when the city was broken up; hence called "the fourth fast".
the fifth. On the tenth of Ab, when the Temple and the houses were burnt (Jeremiah 52:12 , Jeremiah 52:13 ).
the seventh. The third of Tisri, when Gedaliah was slain by Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah (Jeremiah 40:8 ; Jeremiah 41:1-3 , Jeremiah 41:15-18 ).
the tenth. On the tenth of Tebeth, when the king of Babylon set his face against Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24:1 , Ezekiel 24:2 ). So The Talmud, Rosh Hashanah, vol. 18 B.
feasts = appointed seasons. These fasts were appointed by man. The feasts were "feasts of Jehovah" because appointed by Him. Ref: to Pentateuch (Leviticus 23:2-44 ), App-92 . Compare Zephaniah 3:17 .
20.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
people = peoples. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "many peoples".
21.
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
Let us go speedily. Figure of speech Polyptolon. App-6 . Hebrew a going, let us go = Let us by all means go: or, speedily, as in Authorized Version. See note on Genesis 26:28 . Compare Isaiah 2:3 .Micah 4:2 .
to pray , &c. See note on Zechariah 7:2 . the LORD, &c. Hebrew (with 'eth ) = Jehovah of hosts Himself.
22.
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
23.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
those days . The fulfilment of this still future.
men . Hebrew, plural of enosh. App-14 .
you : i.e. with God's People Israel.
that. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "that" in the text. Supply the Ellipsis (will be the time] that. "