3 And in that day H3117 will I make H7760 Jerusalem H3389 a burdensome H4614 stone H68 for all people: H5971 all that burden H6006 themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, H8295 H8295 though all the people H1471 of the earth H776 be gathered together H622 against it.
And G2532 whosoever shall fall G4098 on G1909 this G5126 stone G3037 shall be broken: G4917 but G1161 on G1909 whomsoever G3739 G302 it shall fall, G4098 it will grind G3039 him G846 to powder. G3039
For I will gather H622 all nations H1471 against Jerusalem H3389 to battle; H4421 and the city H5892 shall be taken, H3920 and the houses H1004 rifled, H8155 and the women H802 ravished; H7901 H7693 and half H2677 of the city H5892 shall go forth H3318 into captivity, H1473 and the residue H3499 of the people H5971 shall not be cut off H3772 from the city. H5892 Then shall the LORD H3068 go forth, H3318 and fight H3898 against those nations, H1471 as when H3117 he fought H3898 in the day H3117 of battle. H7128 And his feet H7272 shall stand H5975 in that day H3117 upon the mount H2022 of Olives, H2132 which is before H6440 Jerusalem H3389 on the east, H6924 and the mount H2022 of Olives H2132 shall cleave H1234 in the midst H2677 thereof toward the east H4217 and toward the west, H3220 and there shall be a very H3966 great H1419 valley; H1516 and half H2677 of the mountain H2022 shall remove H4185 toward the north, H6828 and half H2677 of it toward the south. H5045
Thou sawest H2370 H1934 till H5705 that a stone H69 was cut out H1505 without H3809 hands, H3028 which smote H4223 the image H6755 upon H5922 his feet H7271 that were of iron H6523 and clay, H2635 and brake H1855 them H1994 to pieces. H1855 Then H116 was the iron, H6523 the clay, H2635 the brass, H5174 the silver, H3702 and the gold, H1722 broken to pieces H1855 H1751 together, H2298 and became H1934 like the chaff H5784 of H4481 the summer H7007 threshingfloors; H147 and the wind H7308 carried H5376 them H1994 away, H5376 that H3606 no H3809 place H870 was found H7912 for them: and the stone H69 that smote H4223 the image H6755 became H1934 a great H7229 mountain, H2906 and filled H4391 the whole H3606 earth. H772
Whosoever G3956 shall fall G4098 upon G1909 that G1565 stone G3037 shall be broken; G4917 but G1161 on G1909 whomsoever G3739 G302 it shall fall, G4098 it will grind G3039 him G846 to powder. G3039
And in the days H3118 of these H581 kings H4430 shall the God H426 of heaven H8065 set up H6966 a kingdom, H4437 which shall never H5957 H3809 be destroyed: H2255 and the kingdom H4437 shall not H3809 be left H7662 to other H321 people, H5972 but it shall break in pieces H1855 and consume H5487 all H3606 these H459 kingdoms, H4437 and it H1932 shall stand H6966 for ever. H5957 Forasmuch as H3606 H6903 thou sawest H2370 that the stone H69 was cut out H1505 of the mountain H2906 without H3809 hands, H3028 and that it brake in pieces H1855 the iron, H6523 the brass, H5174 the clay, H2635 the silver, H3702 and the gold; H1722 the great H7229 God H426 hath made known H3046 to the king H4430 what H4101 shall come to pass H1934 hereafter: H311 H1836 and the dream H2493 is certain, H3330 and the interpretation H6591 thereof sure. H540
In that day H3117 will I make H7760 the governors H441 of Judah H3063 like an hearth H3595 of fire H784 among the wood, H6086 and like a torch H3940 of fire H784 in a sheaf; H5995 and they shall devour H398 all the people H5971 round about, H5439 on the right hand H3225 and on the left: H8040 and Jerusalem H3389 shall be inhabited H3427 again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. H3389
And G2532 shall go out G1831 to deceive G4105 the nations G1484 which G3588 are in G1722 the four G5064 quarters G1137 of the earth, G1093 Gog G1136 and G2532 Magog, G3098 to gather G4863 them G846 together G4863 to G1519 battle: G4171 the number G706 of whom G3739 is as G5613 the sand G285 of the sea. G2281 And G2532 they went up G305 on G1909 the breadth G4114 of the earth, G1093 and G2532 compassed G2944 the camp G3925 of the saints G40 about, G2944 and G2532 the beloved G25 city: G4172 and G2532 fire G4442 came down G2597 from G575 God G2316 out of G1537 heaven, G3772 and G2532 devoured G2719 them. G846
And G2532 I saw G1492 the beast, G2342 and G2532 the kings G935 of the earth, G1093 and G2532 their G846 armies, G4753 gathered together G4863 to make G4160 war G4171 against G3326 him that sat G2521 on G1909 the horse, G2462 and G2532 against G3326 his G846 army. G4753 And G2532 the beast G2342 was taken, G4084 and G2532 with G3326 him G5127 the false prophet G5578 that wrought G4160 miracles G4592 before G1799 him, G846 with G1722 which G3739 he deceived G4105 them that had received G2983 the mark G5480 of the beast, G2342 and G2532 them that worshipped G4352 his G846 image. G1504 These both G1417 were cast G906 alive G2198 into G1519 a lake G3041 of fire G4442 burning G2545 with G1722 brimstone. G2303 And G2532 the remnant G3062 were slain G615 with G1722 the sword G4501 of him that sat G2521 upon G1909 the horse, G2462 which G3588 sword proceeded G1607 out of G1537 his G846 mouth: G4750 and G2532 all G3956 the fowls G3732 were filled G5526 with G1537 their G846 flesh. G4561
And G2532 the ten G1176 horns G2768 which G3739 thou sawest G1492 are G1526 ten G1176 kings, G935 which G3748 have received G2983 no G3768 kingdom G932 as yet; G3768 but G235 receive G2983 power G1849 as G5613 kings G935 one G3391 hour G5610 with G3326 the beast. G2342 These G3778 have G2192 one G3391 mind, G1106 and G2532 shall give G1239 their G1438 power G1411 and G2532 strength G1849 unto the beast. G2342 These G3778 shall make war G4170 with G3326 the Lamb, G721 and G2532 the Lamb G721 shall overcome G3528 them: G846 for G3754 he is G2076 Lord G2962 of lords, G2962 and G2532 King G935 of kings: G935 and G2532 they that are with G3326 him G846 are called, G2822 and G2532 chosen, G1588 and G2532 faithful. G4103
For G1063 they are G1526 the spirits G4151 of devils, G1142 working G4160 miracles, G4592 which go forth G1607 G3739 G1607 unto G1909 the kings G935 of the earth G1093 and G2532 of the whole G3650 world, G3625 to gather G4863 them G846 to G1519 the battle G4171 of that G1565 great G3173 day G2250 of God G2316 Almighty. G3841
And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that a great H7227 tumult H4103 from the LORD H3068 shall be among them; and they shall lay hold H2388 every one H376 on the hand H3027 of his neighbour, H7453 and his hand H3027 shall rise up H5927 against the hand H3027 of his neighbour. H7453
And it shall be in that day, H3117 that living H2416 waters H4325 shall go out H3318 from Jerusalem; H3389 half H2677 of them toward the former H6931 sea, H3220 and half H2677 of them toward the hinder H314 sea: H3220 in summer H7019 and in winter H2779 shall it be. And the LORD H3068 shall be king H4428 over all the earth: H776 in that day H3117 shall there be one H259 LORD, H3068 and his name H8034 one. H259
In that day H3117 shall the LORD H3068 defend H1598 the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem; H3389 and he that is feeble H3782 among them at that day H3117 shall be as David; H1732 and the house H1004 of David H1732 shall be as God, H430 as the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 before H6440 them. And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that I will seek H1245 to destroy H8045 all the nations H1471 that come H935 against Jerusalem. H3389
For the nation H1471 and kingdom H4467 that will not serve H5647 thee shall perish; H6 yea, those nations H1471 shall be utterly H2717 wasted. H2717
In that day, H3117 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 I will smite H5221 every horse H5483 with astonishment, H8541 and his rider H7392 with madness: H7697 and I will open H6491 mine eyes H5869 upon the house H1004 of Judah, H3063 and will smite H5221 every horse H5483 of the people H5971 with blindness. H5788
Mine anger H639 was kindled H2734 against the shepherds, H7462 and I punished H6485 the goats: H6260 for the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 hath visited H6485 his flock H5739 the house H1004 of Judah, H3063 and hath made H7760 them as his goodly H1935 horse H5483 in the battle. H4421 Out of him came forth H3318 the corner, H6438 out of him the nail, H3489 out of him the battle H4421 bow, H7198 out of him every oppressor H5065 together. H3162 And they shall be as mighty H1368 men, which tread down H947 their enemies in the mire H2916 of the streets H2351 in the battle: H4421 and they shall fight, H3898 because the LORD H3068 is with them, and the riders H7392 on horses H5483 shall be confounded. H3001
For thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts; H6635 After H310 the glory H3519 hath he sent H7971 me unto the nations H1471 which spoiled H7997 you: for he that toucheth H5060 you toucheth H5060 the apple H892 of his eye. H5869 For, behold, I will shake H5130 mine hand H3027 upon them, and they shall be a spoil H7998 to their servants: H5647 and ye shall know H3045 that the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 hath sent H7971 me.
And I will overthrow H2015 the throne H3678 of kingdoms, H4467 and I will destroy H8045 the strength H2392 of the kingdoms H4467 of the heathen; H1471 and I will overthrow H2015 the chariots, H4818 and those that ride H7392 in them; and the horses H5483 and their riders H7392 shall come down, H3381 every one H376 by the sword H2719 of his brother. H251
Behold, at that time H6256 I will undo H6213 all that afflict H6031 thee: and I will save H3467 her that halteth, H6760 and gather H6908 her that was driven out; H5080 and I will get H7760 them praise H8416 and fame H8034 in every land H776 where they have been put to shame. H1322
For the violence H2555 of Lebanon H3844 shall cover H3680 thee, and the spoil H7701 of beasts, H929 which made them afraid, H2865 because of men's H120 blood, H1818 and for the violence H2555 of the land, H776 of the city, H7151 and of all that dwell H3427 therein.
According to the days H3117 of thy coming H3318 out of the land H776 of Egypt H4714 will I shew H7200 unto him marvellous H6381 things. The nations H1471 shall see H7200 and be confounded H954 at all their might: H1369 they shall lay H7760 their hand H3027 upon their mouth, H6310 their ears H241 shall be deaf. H2790 They shall lick H3897 the dust H6083 like a serpent, H5175 they shall move H7264 out of their holes H4526 like worms H2119 of the earth: H776 they shall be afraid H6342 of the LORD H3068 our God, H430 and shall fear H3372 because of thee.
And I will execute H6213 vengeance H5359 in anger H639 and fury H2534 upon the heathen, H1471 such as they have not heard. H8085
And the remnant H7611 of Jacob H3290 shall be among the Gentiles H1471 in the midst H7130 of many H7227 people H5971 as a lion H738 among the beasts H929 of the forest, H3293 as a young lion H3715 among the flocks H5739 of sheep: H6629 who, if he go through, H5674 both treadeth down, H7429 and teareth in pieces, H2963 and none can deliver. H5337
Now also many H7227 nations H1471 are gathered H622 against thee, that say, H559 Let her be defiled, H2610 and let our eye H5869 look H2372 upon Zion. H6726 But they know H3045 not the thoughts H4284 of the LORD, H3068 neither understand H995 they his counsel: H6098 for he shall gather H6908 them as the sheaves H5995 into the floor. H1637 Arise H6965 and thresh, H1758 O daughter H1323 of Zion: H6726 for I will make H7760 thine horn H7161 iron, H1270 and I will make H7760 thy hoofs H6541 brass: H5154 and thou shalt beat in pieces H1854 many H7227 people: H5971 and I will consecrate H2763 their gain H1215 unto the LORD, H3068 and their substance H2428 unto the Lord H113 of the whole earth. H776
And the house H1004 of Jacob H3290 shall be a fire, H784 and the house H1004 of Joseph H3130 a flame, H3852 and the house H1004 of Esau H6215 for stubble, H7179 and they shall kindle H1814 in them, and devour H398 them; and there shall not be any remaining H8300 of the house H1004 of Esau; H6215 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 it.
And I will sell H4376 your sons H1121 and your daughters H1323 into the hand H3027 of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and they shall sell H4376 them to the Sabeans, H7615 to a people H1471 far off: H7350 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 it. Proclaim H7121 ye this among the Gentiles; H1471 Prepare H6942 war, H4421 wake up H5782 the mighty men, H1368 let all the men H582 of war H4421 draw near; H5066 let them come up: H5927 Beat H3807 your plowshares H855 into swords, H2719 and your pruninghooks H4211 into spears: H7420 let the weak H2523 say, H559 I am strong. H1368 Assemble H5789 yourselves, and come, H935 all ye heathen, H1471 and gather yourselves together H6908 round about: H5439 thither cause thy mighty ones H1368 to come down, H5181 O LORD. H3068 Let the heathen H1471 be wakened, H5782 and come up H5927 to the valley H6010 of Jehoshaphat: H3092 for there will I sit H3427 to judge H8199 all the heathen H1471 round about. H5439 Put H7971 ye in the sickle, H4038 for the harvest H7105 is ripe: H1310 come, H935 get you down; H3381 for the press H1660 is full, H4390 the fats H3342 overflow; H7783 for their wickedness H7451 is great. H7227 Multitudes, H1995 multitudes H1995 in the valley H6010 of decision: H2742 for the day H3117 of the LORD H3068 is near H7138 in the valley H6010 of decision. H2742 The sun H8121 and the moon H3394 shall be darkened, H6937 and the stars H3556 shall withdraw H622 their shining. H5051 The LORD H3068 also shall roar H7580 out of Zion, H6726 and utter H5414 his voice H6963 from Jerusalem; H3389 and the heavens H8064 and the earth H776 shall shake: H7493 but the LORD H3068 will be the hope H4268 of his people, H5971 and the strength H4581 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
And the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 came unto me, saying, H559 Son H1121 of man, H120 set H7760 thy face H6440 against Gog, H1463 the land H776 of Magog, H4031 the chief H7218 prince H5387 of Meshech H4902 and Tubal, H8422 and prophesy H5012 against him, And say, H559 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, H1463 the chief H7218 prince H5387 of Meshech H4902 and Tubal: H8422 And I will turn thee back, H7725 and put H5414 hooks H2397 into thy jaws, H3895 and I will bring thee forth, H3318 and all thine army, H2428 horses H5483 and horsemen, H6571 all of them clothed H3847 with all sorts H4358 of armour, even a great H7227 company H6951 with bucklers H6793 and shields, H4043 all of them handling H8610 swords: H2719 Persia, H6539 Ethiopia, H3568 and Libya H6316 with them; all of them with shield H4043 and helmet: H3553 Gomer, H1586 and all his bands; H102 the house H1004 of Togarmah H8425 of the north H6828 quarters, H3411 and all his bands: H102 and many H7227 people H5971 with thee. Be thou prepared, H3559 and prepare H3559 for thyself, thou, and all thy company H6951 that are assembled H6950 unto thee, and be thou a guard H4929 unto them. After many H7227 days H3117 thou shalt be visited: H6485 in the latter H319 years H8141 thou shalt come H935 into the land H776 that is brought back H7725 from the sword, H2719 and is gathered H6908 out of many H7227 people, H5971 against the mountains H2022 of Israel, H3478 which have been always H8548 waste: H2723 but it is brought forth H3318 out of the nations, H5971 and they shall dwell H3427 safely H983 all of them. Thou shalt ascend H5927 and come H935 like a storm, H7722 thou shalt be like a cloud H6051 to cover H3680 the land, H776 thou, and all thy bands, H102 and many H7227 people H5971 with thee. Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 It shall also come to pass, that at the same time H3117 shall things H1697 come H5927 into thy mind, H3824 and thou shalt think H2803 an evil H7451 thought: H4284 And thou shalt say, H559 I will go up H5927 to the land H776 of unwalled villages; H6519 I will go H935 to them that are at rest, H8252 that dwell H3427 safely, H983 all of them dwelling H3427 without walls, H2346 and having neither bars H1280 nor gates, H1817 To take H7997 a spoil, H7998 and to take H962 a prey; H957 to turn H7725 thine hand H3027 upon the desolate places H2723 that are now inhabited, H3427 and upon the people H5971 that are gathered H622 out of the nations, H1471 which have gotten H6213 cattle H4735 and goods, H7075 that dwell H3427 in the midst H2872 of the land. H776 Sheba, H7614 and Dedan, H1719 and the merchants H5503 of Tarshish, H8659 with all the young lions H3715 thereof, shall say H559 unto thee, Art thou come H935 to take H7997 a spoil? H7998 hast thou gathered H6950 thy company H6951 to take H962 a prey? H957 to carry away H5375 silver H3701 and gold, H2091 to take away H3947 cattle H4735 and goods, H7075 to take H7997 a great H1419 spoil? H7998 Therefore, son H1121 of man, H120 prophesy H5012 and say H559 unto Gog, H1463 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 In that day H3117 when my people H5971 of Israel H3478 dwelleth H3427 safely, H983 shalt thou not know H3045 it? And thou shalt come H935 from thy place H4725 out of the north H6828 parts, H3411 thou, and many H7227 people H5971 with thee, all of them riding H7392 upon horses, H5483 a great H1419 company, H6951 and a mighty H7227 army: H2428 And thou shalt come up H5927 against my people H5971 of Israel, H3478 as a cloud H6051 to cover H3680 the land; H776 it shall be in the latter H319 days, H3117 and I will bring H935 thee against my land, H776 that the heathen H1471 may know H3045 me, when I shall be sanctified H6942 in thee, O Gog, H1463 before their eyes. H5869 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 Art thou he of whom I have spoken H1696 in old H6931 time H3117 by H3027 my servants H5650 the prophets H5030 of Israel, H3478 which prophesied H5012 in those days H3117 many years H8141 that I would bring H935 thee against them? And it shall come to pass at the same time H3117 when H3117 Gog H1463 shall come H935 against the land H127 of Israel, H3478 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 that my fury H2534 shall come up H5927 in my face. H639 For in my jealousy H7068 and in the fire H784 of my wrath H5678 have I spoken, H1696 Surely in that day H3117 there shall be a great H1419 shaking H7494 in the land H127 of Israel; H3478 So that the fishes H1709 of the sea, H3220 and the fowls H5775 of the heaven, H8064 and the beasts H2416 of the field, H7704 and all creeping things H7431 that creep H7430 upon the earth, H127 and all the men H120 that are upon the face H6440 of the earth, H127 shall shake H7493 at my presence, H6440 and the mountains H2022 shall be thrown down, H2040 and the steep places H4095 shall fall, H5307 and every wall H2346 shall fall H5307 to the ground. H776 And I will call H7121 for a sword H2719 against him throughout all my mountains, H2022 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD: H3069 every man's H376 sword H2719 shall be against his brother. H251 And I will plead H8199 against him with pestilence H1698 and with blood; H1818 and I will rain H4305 upon him, and upon his bands, H102 and upon the many H7227 people H5971 that are with him, an overflowing H7857 rain, H1653 and great hailstones, H417 H68 fire, H784 and brimstone. H1614 Thus will I magnify H1431 myself, and sanctify H6942 myself; and I will be known H3045 in the eyes H5869 of many H7227 nations, H1471 and they shall know H3045 that I am the LORD. H3068
And when ye see H7200 this, your heart H3820 shall rejoice, H7797 and your bones H6106 shall flourish H6524 like an herb: H1877 and the hand H3027 of the LORD H3068 shall be known H3045 toward his servants, H5650 and his indignation H2194 toward his enemies. H341 For, behold, the LORD H3068 will come H935 with fire, H784 and with his chariots H4818 like a whirlwind, H5492 to render H7725 his anger H639 with fury, H2534 and his rebuke H1606 with flames H3851 of fire. H784 For by fire H784 and by his sword H2719 will the LORD H3068 plead H8199 with all flesh: H1320 and the slain H2491 of the LORD H3068 shall be many. H7231
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Zechariah 12
Commentary on Zechariah 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 12
Zec 12:1-14. Jerusalem the Instrument of Judgment on Her Foes Hereafter; Her Repentance and Restoration.
1. burden—"weighty prophecy"; fraught with destruction to Israel's foes; the expression may also refer to the distresses of Israel implied as about to precede the deliverance.
for Israel—concerning Israel [Maurer].
stretcheth forth—present; now, not merely "hath stretched forth," as if God only created and then left the universe to itself (Joh 5:17). To remove all doubts of unbelief as to the possibility of Israel's deliverance, God prefaces the prediction by reminding us of His creative and sustaining power. Compare a similar preface in Isa 42:5; 43:1; 65:17, 18.
formeth … spirit of man—(Nu 16:22; Heb 12:9).
2. cup of trembling—a cup causing those who drink it to reel (from a Hebrew root "to reel"). Jerusalem, who drank the "cup of trembling" herself, shall be so to her foes (Isa 51:17, 22; Jer 13:13). Calvin with the Septuagint translates, "threshold of destruction," on which they shall stumble and be crushed when they attempt to cross it. English Version is better.
both against Judah—The Hebrew order of words is literally, "And also against Judah shall he (the foe) be in the siege against Jerusalem"; implying virtually that Judah, as it shares the invasion along with Jerusalem, so it shall, like the metropolis, prove a cup of trembling to the invaders. Maurer with Jerome translates, "Also upon Judah shall be (the cup of trembling); that is, some Jews forced by the foe shall join in the assault on Jerusalem, and shall share the overthrow with the besiegers. But Zec 12:6, 7 show that Judah escapes and proves the scourge of the foe.
3. (Zec 14:4, 6-9, 13). Jerome states it was a custom in Palestine to test the strength of youths by their lifting up a massive stone; the phrase, "burden themselves with it," refers to this custom. Compare Mt 21:44: The Jews "fell" on the rock of offense, Messiah, and were "broken"; but the rock shall fall on Antichrist, who "burdens himself with it" by his assault on the restored Jews, and "grind him to powder."
all … people of … earth—The Antichristian confederacy against the Jews shall be almost universal.
4. I will smite … horse—The arm of attack especially formidable to Judah, who was unprovided with cavalry. So in the overthrow of Pharaoh (Ex 15:19, 21).
open mine eyes upon … Judah—to watch over Judah's safety. Heretofore Jehovah seemed to have shut His eyes, as having no regard for her.
blindness—so as to rush headlong on to their own ruin (compare Zec 14:12, 13).
5. shall say—when they see the foe divinely smitten with "madness."
Judah … Jerusalem—here distinguished as the country and the metropolis. Judah recognizes her "strength" to be "Jerusalem and its inhabitants" as the instrument, and "Jehovah of hosts their God" (dwelling especially there) as the author of all power (Joe 3:16). My strength is the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who have the Lord their God as their help. The repulse of the foe by the metropolis shall assure the Jews of the country that the same divine aid shall save them.
6. On "governors of Judah," see on Zec 9:7.
hearth—or pan.
torch … in a sheaf—Though small, it shall consume the many foes around. One prophet supplements the other. Thus Isa 29:1-24; Joe 3:1-21; Zec 12:1-14:21, describe more Antichrist's army than himself. Daniel represents him as a horn growing out of the fourth beast or fourth kingdom; St. John, as a separate beast having an individual existence. Daniel dwells on his worldly conquests as a king; St. John, more on his spiritual tyranny, whence he adds a second beast, the false prophet coming in a semblance of spirituality. What is briefly described by one is more fully prophesied by the other [Roos].
7. Judah is to be "first saved," because of her meek acknowledgment of dependence on Jerusalem, subordinate to Jehovah's aid.
tents—shifting and insecure, as contrasted with the solid fortifications of Judah. But God chooses the weak to confound the mighty, that all human glorying may be set aside.
8. Jerusalem, however, also shall be specially strengthened against the foe.
feeble … shall be as David—to the Jew, the highest type of strength and glory on earth (2Sa 17:8; 18:3; Joe 3:10).
angel of the Lord before them—the divine angel that went "before them" through the desert, the highest type of strength and glory in heaven (Ex 23:20; 32:34). "The house of David" is the "prince," and his family sprung from David (Eze 45:7, 9). David's house was then in a comparatively weak state.
9. I will seek to destroy—I will set Myself with determined earnestness to destroy, etc. (Hag 2:22).
10. Future conversion of the Jews is to flow from an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Jer 31:9, 31-34; Eze 39:29).
spirit of grace … supplications—"spirit" is here not the spirit produced, but THE Holy Spirit producing a "gracious" disposition, and inclination for "supplications." Calvin explains "spirit of grace" as the grace of God itself (whereby He "pours" out His bowels of mercy), "conjoined with the sense of it in man's heart." The "spirit of supplications" is the mercury whose rise or fall is an unerring test of the state of the Church [Moore]. In Hebrew, "grace" and "supplications" are kindred terms; translate, therefore, "gracious supplications." The plural implies suppliant prayers "without ceasing." Herein not merely external help against the foe, as before, but internal grace is promised subsequently.
look upon me—with profoundly earnest regard, as the Messiah whom they so long denied.
pierced—implying Messiah's humanity: as "I will pour … spirit" implies His divinity.
look … mourn—True repentance arises from the sight by faith of the crucified Saviour. It is the tear that drops from the eye of faith looking on Him. Terror only produces remorse. The true penitent weeps over his sins in love to Him who in love has suffered for them.
me … him—The change of person is due to Jehovah-Messiah speaking in His own person first, then the prophet speaking of Him. The Jews, to avoid the conclusion that He whom they have "pierced" is Jehovah-Messiah, who says, "I will pour out … spirit," altered "me" into "him," and represent the "pierced" one to be Messiah Ben (son of) Joseph, who was to suffer in the battle with Cog, before Messiah Ben David should come to reign. But Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic oppose this; and the ancient Jews interpreted it of Messiah. Ps 22:16 also refers to His being "pierced." So Joh 19:37; Re 1:7. The actual piercing of His side was the culminating point of all their insulting treatment of Him. The act of the Roman soldier who pierced Him was their act (Mt 27:25), and is so accounted here in Zechariah. The Hebrew word is always used of a literal piercing (so Zec 13:3); not of a metaphorical piercing, "insulted," as Maurer and other Rationalists (from the Septuagint) represent.
as one mourneth for … son—(Jer 6:26; Am 8:10). A proverbial phrase peculiarly forcible among the Jews, who felt childlessness as a curse and dishonor. Applied with peculiar propriety to mourning for Messiah, "the first-born among many brethren" (Ro 8:29).
11. As in Zec 12:10 the bitterness of their mourning is illustrated by a private case of mourning, so in this verse by a public one, the greatest recorded in Jewish history, that for the violent death in battle with Pharaoh-necho of the good King Josiah, whose reign had been the only gleam of brightness for the period from Hezekiah to the downfall of the state; lamentations were written by Jeremiah for the occasion (2Ki 23:29, 30; 2Ch 35:22-27).
Hadad-rimmon—a place or city in the great plain of Esdraelon, the battlefield of many a conflict, near Megiddo; called so from the Syrian idol Rimmon. Hadad also was the name of the sun, a chief god of the Syrians [Macrobius, Saturnalia, 1.23].
12-14. A universal and an individual mourning at once.
David … Nathan—representing the highest and lowest of the royal order. Nathan, not the prophet, but a younger son of David (2Sa 5:14; Lu 3:31).
apart—Retirement and seclusion are needful for deep personal religion.
wives apart—Jewish females worship separately from the males (Ex 15:1, 20).
13. Levi … Shimei—the highest and lowest of the priestly order (Nu 3:18, 21). Their example and that of the royal order would of course influence the rest.
14. All … that remain—after the fiery ordeal, in which two-thirds fall (Zec 13:8, 9).