23 Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts; H6635 In those days H3117 it shall come to pass, that ten H6235 men H582 shall take hold H2388 out of all languages H3956 of the nations, H1471 even shall take hold H2388 of the skirt H3671 of him that is a Jew, H376 H3064 saying, H559 We will go H3212 with you: for we have heard H8085 that God H430 is with you.
For G1063 so G3779 hath G1781 the Lord G2962 commanded G1781 us, G2254 saying, I have set G5087 thee G4571 to be G1519 a light G5457 of the Gentiles, G1484 that thou G4571 shouldest be G1511 for G1519 salvation G4991 unto G2193 the ends G2078 of the earth. G1093 And G1161 when the Gentiles G1484 heard this, G191 they were glad, G5463 and G2532 glorified G1392 the word G3056 of the Lord: G2962 and G2532 as many as G3745 were G2258 ordained G5021 to G1519 eternal G166 life G2222 believed. G4100
And G2532 I saw G1492 another G243 angel G32 fly G4072 in G1722 the midst of heaven, G3321 having G2192 the everlasting G166 gospel G2098 to preach G2097 unto them that dwell G2730 on G1909 the earth, G1093 and G2532 to every G3956 nation, G1484 and G2532 kindred, G5443 and G2532 tongue, G1100 and G2532 people, G2992 Saying G3004 with G1722 a loud G3173 voice, G5456 Fear G5399 God, G2316 and G2532 give G1325 glory G1391 to him; G846 for G3754 the hour G5610 of his G846 judgment G2920 is come: G2064 and G2532 worship G4352 him that made G4160 heaven, G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 and G2532 the sea, G2281 and G2532 the fountains G4077 of waters. G5204
After G3326 this G5023 I beheld, G1492 and, G2532 lo, G2400 a great G4183 multitude, G3793 which G3739 no man G3762 could G1410 number, G705 G846 of G1537 all G3956 nations, G1484 and G2532 kindreds, G5443 and G2532 people, G2992 and G2532 tongues, G1100 stood G2476 before G1799 the throne, G2362 and G2532 before G1799 the Lamb, G721 clothed G4016 with white G3022 robes, G4749 and G2532 palms G5404 in G1722 their G846 hands; G5495 And G2532 cried G2896 with a loud G3173 voice, G5456 saying, G3004 Salvation G4991 to our G2257 God G2316 which G3588 sitteth G2521 upon G1909 the throne, G2362 and G2532 unto the Lamb. G721
Then G5119 came G4334 Peter G4074 to him, G846 and said, G2036 Lord, G2962 how oft G4212 shall my G3450 brother G80 sin G264 against G1519 me, G1691 and G2532 I forgive G863 him? G846 till G2193 seven times? G2034 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 I say G3004 not G3756 unto thee, G4671 Until G2193 seven times: G2034 but, G235 Until G2193 seventy times G1441 seven. G2033
(For they shall hear H8085 of thy great H1419 name, H8034 and of thy strong H2389 hand, H3027 and of thy stretched out H5186 arm;) H2220 when he shall come H935 and pray H6419 toward this house; H1004 Hear H8085 thou in heaven H8064 thy dwelling H3427 place, H4349 and do H6213 according to all that the stranger H5237 calleth H7121 to thee for: that all people H5971 of the earth H776 may know H3045 thy name, H8034 to fear H3372 thee, as do thy people H5971 Israel; H3478 and that they may know H3045 that this house, H1004 which I have builded, H1129 is called H7121 by thy name. H8034
Then said H559 the king H4428 to Ittai H863 the Gittite, H1663 Wherefore goest H3212 thou also with us? return H7725 to thy place, H4725 and abide H3427 with the king: H4428 for thou art a stranger, H5237 and also an exile. H1540 Whereas thou camest H935 but yesterday, H8543 should I this day H3117 make thee go H3212 up and down H5128 H5128 with us? seeing I go H1980 whither I may, return H7725 thou, and take back H7725 thy brethren: H251 mercy H2617 and truth H571 be with thee. And Ittai H863 answered H6030 the king, H4428 and said, H559 As the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 and as my lord H113 the king H4428 liveth, H2416 surely in what place H4725 my lord H113 the king H4428 shall be, whether in death H4194 or life, H2416 even there also will thy servant H5650 be. And David H1732 said H559 to Ittai, H863 Go H3212 and pass over. H5674 And Ittai H863 the Gittite H1663 passed over, H5674 and all his men, H582 and all the little ones H2945 that were with him.
And as Samuel H8050 turned about H5437 to go away, H3212 he laid hold H2388 upon the skirt H3671 of his mantle, H4598 and it rent. H7167 And Samuel H8050 said H559 unto him, The LORD H3068 hath rent H7167 the kingdom H4468 of Israel H3478 from thee this day, H3117 and hath given H5414 it to a neighbour H7453 of thine, that is better H2896 than thou.
And Ruth H7327 said, H559 Intreat H6293 me not to leave H5800 thee, or to return H7725 from following after H310 thee: for whither thou goest, H3212 I will go; H3212 and where thou lodgest, H3885 I will lodge: H3885 thy people H5971 shall be my people, H5971 and thy God H430 my God: H430 Where thou diest, H4191 will I die, H4191 and there will I be buried: H6912 the LORD H3068 do H6213 so to me, and more H3254 also, if ought but death H4194 part H6504 thee and me.
And she said H559 unto the men, H582 I know H3045 that the LORD H3068 hath given H5414 you the land, H776 and that your terror H367 is fallen H5307 upon us, and that all the inhabitants H3427 of the land H776 faint H4127 because H6440 of you. For we have heard H8085 how the LORD H3068 dried up H3001 the water H4325 of the Red H5488 sea H3220 for you, H6440 when ye came out H3318 of Egypt; H4714 and what ye did H6213 unto the two H8147 kings H4428 of the Amorites, H567 that were on the other side H5676 Jordan, H3383 Sihon H5511 and Og, H5747 whom ye utterly destroyed. H2763 And as soon as we had heard H8085 these things, our hearts H3824 did melt, H4549 neither did there remain H6965 any more courage H7307 in any man, H376 because H6440 of you: for the LORD H3068 your God, H430 he is God H430 in heaven H8064 above, H4605 and in earth H776 beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear H7650 unto me by the LORD, H3068 since H3588 I have shewed H6213 you kindness, H2617 that ye will also shew H6213 kindness H2617 unto my father's H1 house, H1004 and give H5414 me a true H571 token: H226 And that ye will save alive H2421 my father, H1 and my mother, H517 and my brethren, H251 and my sisters, H269 and all that they have, and deliver H5337 our lives H5315 from death. H4194
Keep H8104 therefore and do H6213 them; for this is your wisdom H2451 and your understanding H998 in the sight H5869 of the nations, H5971 which shall hear H8085 all these statutes, H2706 and say, H559 Surely this great H1419 nation H1471 is a wise H2450 and understanding H995 people. H5971 For what nation H1471 is there so great, H1419 who hath God H430 so nigh H7138 unto them, as the LORD H3068 our God H430 is in all things that we call H7121 upon him for?
And they will tell H559 it to the inhabitants H3427 of this land: H776 for they have heard H8085 that thou LORD H3068 art among H7130 this people, H5971 that thou LORD H3068 art seen H7200 face H5869 to face, H5869 and that thy cloud H6051 standeth H5975 over them, and that thou goest H1980 before H6440 them, by day time H3119 in a pillar H5982 of a cloud, H6051 and in a pillar H5982 of fire H784 by night. H3915 Now if thou shalt kill H4191 all this people H5971 as one H259 man, H376 then the nations H1471 which have heard H8085 the fame H8088 of thee will speak, H559 saying, H559 Because the LORD H3068 was not H1115 able H3201 to bring H935 this people H5971 into the land H776 which he sware H7650 unto them, therefore he hath slain H7819 them in the wilderness. H4057
And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Hobab, H2246 the son H1121 of Raguel H7467 the Midianite, H4084 Moses' H4872 father in law, H2859 We are journeying H5265 unto the place H4725 of which the LORD H3068 said, H559 I will give H5414 it you: come H3212 thou with us, and we will do thee good: H2895 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 good H2896 concerning Israel. H3478 And he said H559 unto him, I will not go; H3212 but I will depart H3212 to mine own land, H776 and to my kindred. H4138 And he said, H559 Leave H5800 us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest H3651 H3045 how we are to encamp H2583 in the wilderness, H4057 and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. H5869 And it shall be, if thou go H3212 with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness H2896 the LORD H3068 shall do H3190 unto us, the same will we do H2895 unto thee.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Zechariah 8
Commentary on Zechariah 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 8
Zec 8:1-23. Continuation of the Subject in the Seventh Chapter. After urging them to obedience by the fate of their fathers, he urges them to it by promises of coming prosperity.
2. jealous for Zion—(Zec 1:14).
with great fury—against her oppressors.
3. I am returned—that is, I am determined to return. My decree to that effect is gone forth.
Jerusalem … city of truth—that is, faithful to her God, who is the God of truth (Isa 1:21, 26; Joh 17:17). Never yet fully fulfilled, therefore still to be so.
the mountain of the Lord—(Isa 2:2, 3).
holy mountain—(Jer 31:23).
4. So tranquil and prosperous shall the nation be that wars shall no longer prematurely cut off the people: men and women shall reach advanced ages. The promise of long life was esteemed one of the greatest blessings in the Jewish theocracy with its temporal rewards of obedience (Ex 20:12; De 4:40). Hence this is a leading feature in millennial blessedness (Isa 65:20, 22).
for very age—literally, "for multitude of days."
5. boys and girls playing—implying security and a numerous progeny, accounted a leading blessing among the Jews. Contrast Jer 6:11; 9:21.
6. However impossible these things just promised by Me seem to you, they are not so with God. The "remnant" that had returned from the captivity, beholding the city desolate and the walls and houses in ruins, could hardly believe what God promised. The expression "remnant" glances at their ingratitude in rating so low God's power, though they had experienced it so "marvellously" displayed in their restoration. A great source of unbelief is, men "limit" God's power by their own (Ps 78:19, 20, 41).
these days—"of small things" (Zec 4:10), when such great things promised seemed incredible. Maurer, after Jerome, translates, "in those days"; that is, if the thing which I promised to do in those days, seems "marvellous," &c.
7. save my people from … east … west—that is, from every region (compare Ps 50:1; the "West" is literally, "the going down of the sun") to which they are scattered; they are now found especially in countries west of Jerusalem. The dispersion under Nebuchadnezzar was only to the east, namely, to Babylonia. The restoration, including a spiritual return to God (Zec 8:8), here foretold, must therefore be still future (Isa 11:11, 12; 43:5, 6; Eze 37:21; Am 9:14, 15; also Zec 13:9; Jer 30:22; 31:1, 33).
8. in truth—in good faith, both on their side and Mine: God being faithful to His everlasting covenant and enabling them by His Spirit to be faithful to Him.
9-13. All adversities formerly attended them when neglecting to build the temple: but now God promises all blessings, as an encouragement to energy in the work.
hands … strong—be of courageous mind (2Sa 16:21), not merely in building, but in general, as having such bright prospects (Zec 8:13, &c.).
these days—the time that had elapsed between the prophet's having spoken "these words" and the time (Zec 8:10; compare Hag 2:15-19) when they set about in earnest restoring the temple.
the prophets—Haggai and Zechariah himself (Ezr 5:1, 2). The same prophets who promised prosperity at the foundation of the temple, now promised still greater blessings hereafter.
10. before these days—before the time in which ye again proceeded with the building of the temple (Zec 8:9), namely, at the time that the temple lay neglected.
no hire for man … beast—that is, no produce of the field to repay the labor of man and beast on it (Hag 1:6, 9, 10; 2:16).
neither … peace to him that went out or came in—(2Ch 15:5). No one could in safety do his business at home or abroad, in the city or in the country, whether going or returning.
because of the affliction—so sorely pressed were they by the foe outside. Maurer translates, "Because of the foe" (Ezr 4:1).
every one against … neighbour—There was internal discord, as well as foes from without.
11. "But now that the temple has been built, I will not do as I had formerly done to those who returned from Babylon" [Jerome]. Henceforth I will bless you.
12. seed … prosperous—that is, shall not fair to yield abundantly (Ho 2:21, 22; Hag 2:19). Contrast with this verse Hag 1:6, 9-11; 2:16.
dew—especially beneficial in hot countries where rain is rare.
13. a curse—As the heathen have made you another name for "a curse," wishing to their foes as bad a lot as yours (Jer 24:9; 29:18); so your name shall be a formula of blessing, so that men shall say to their friend, May thy lot be as happy as that of Judah (Ge 48:20). Including also the idea of the Jews being a source of blessing to the Gentile nations (Mic 5:7; Zep 3:20). The distinct mention of "Judah" and "Israel" proves that the prophecy has not yet had its full accomplishment, as Israel (the ten tribes) has never yet been restored, though individuals of Israel returned with Judah.
14. I thought—I determined.
you—that is, your fathers, with whom ye are one; the Jewish Church of all ages being regarded as an organic whole (compare Hag 2:5; Mt 23:31, 32).
repented not—I changed not My purpose, because they changed not their mind (2Ch 36:16). With the froward God shows Himself froward (Ps 18:26). If the threatened punishment has been so unchangeably inflicted, much more will God surely give the promised blessing, which is so much more consonant to His nature (Jer 31:28).
16, 17. The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness.
truth to … neighbour—not that the truth should not be spoken to foreigners too; but He makes it an aggravation of their sin, that they spared not even their brethren. Besides, and above all outward ordinances (Zec 7:3), God requires truth and justice.
judgment of … peace—Equitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace.
gates—the place where courts of judicature in the East were held.
17. all these … I hate—therefore ye too ought to hate them. Religion consists in conformity to God's nature, that we should love what God loves and hate what God hates.
18, 19. The prophet answers the query (Zec 7:3) as to the fast in the fifth month, by a reply applying to all their fasts: these are to be turned into days of rejoicing. So Jesus replied to His disciples when similarly consulting Him as to why fasting was not imposed by Him, as it was by John the Baptist. When the Sun of righteousness shines, tears are dried up (Mt 9:15). So hereafter (Isa 35:10).
19. fast of … fourth month—On the fourth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign, on the ninth day, Jerusalem was taken (Jer 39:2; 52:6, 7). It was therefore made a fast day.
fifth … seventh—(See on Zec 7:3; Zec 7:5).
tenth—On the tenth month and tenth day, in the ninth year of Zedekiah, the siege began (Jer 52:4).
therefore love the truth—or, "only love." English Version is better. God's blessing covenanted to Israel is not made to depend on Israel's goodness: but Israel's goodness should follow as the consequence of God's gracious promises (Zec 8:16, 17; Zec 7:9, 10). God will bless, but not those who harden themselves in sin.
20. (Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2).
Thus saith the Lord of hosts—a preface needed to assure the Jews, now disheartened by the perils surrounding them, and by the humble aspect of the temple. "Unlikely as what follows may seem to you, Jehovah of hosts, boundless in resources, saith it, therefore it shall be so." Just before Christ's coming, a feeling grew up among the heathen of the unsatisfactoriness of their systems of religion and philosophy; this disposed them favorably towards the religion of the Jew, so that proselytes embraced the worship of Jehovah from various parts of Asia; these again were predisposed to embrace Christianity when it was preached to them (Ac 2:9-12, 41). But the full accomplishment of the conversion of the Gentiles foretold here is reserved till "Jerusalem" (Zec 8:22) becomes the center of Christianized Jewry (Ro 11:12, 15).
21. Let us … I—manifesting zeal and love: converted themselves, they seek the conversion of others (So 1:4). To exhortation in general ("Let us go"), they add individual example ("I will go"). Or, the change from plural to singular implies that the general consent in religious earnestness leads each individual to decide for God.
go speedily—literally, "go, going"; implying intense earnestness.
pray—Hebrew, "entreat the face" (Zec 7:2); entreat His favor and grace.
22. many … strong nations … in Jerusalem—In contrast to the few and weak Jews now building the temple and city, then such shall be their influence that many and strong nations shall come to worship Jehovah their God in Jerusalem (Isa 60:3; 66:23).
23. ten—a definite number for an indefinite. So in Le 22:26; Nu 14:22.
of all languages of the nations—that is, of nations of all languages (compare Isa 66:18; Re 7:9).
take hold of the skirt—a gesture of suppliant entreaty as to a superior. Compare Isa 3:6; 4:1, on a different occasion. The Gentiles shall eagerly seek to share the religious privileges of the Jew. The skirt with a fringe and blue ribbon upon it (Nu 15:38; De 22:12) was a distinguishing badge of a Jew.
God is with you—the effect produced on unbelievers in entering the assemblies of the Church (1Co 14:25). But primarily, that produced on the nations in witnessing the deliverance of the Jews by Cyrus. Finally, that to be produced on the nations by the future grand interposition of Messiah in behalf of His people.