8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, H776 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 two H8147 parts H6310 therein shall be cut off H3772 and die; H1478 but the third H7992 shall be left H3498 therein.
Thou shalt burn H1197 with fire H217 a third part H7992 in the midst H8432 of the city, H5892 when the days H3117 of the siege H4692 are fulfilled: H4390 and thou shalt take H3947 a third part, H7992 and smite H5221 about H5439 it with a knife: H2719 and a third part H7992 thou shalt scatter H2219 in the wind; H7307 and I will draw out H7324 a sword H2719 after H310 them. Thou shalt also take H3947 thereof a few H4592 in number, H4557 and bind H6696 them in thy skirts. H3671 Then take of them again, H3947 and cast H7993 them into the midst H8432 of the fire, H784 and burn H8313 them in the fire; H784 for thereof shall a fire H784 come forth H3318 into all the house H1004 of Israel. H3478
G2532 The first G4413 angel G32 sounded, G4537 and G2532 there followed G1096 hail G5464 and G2532 fire G4442 mingled G3396 with blood, G129 and G2532 they were cast G906 upon G1519 the earth: G1093 and G2532 the third part G5154 of trees G1186 was burnt up, G2618 and G2532 all G3956 green G5515 grass G5528 was burnt up. G2618 And G2532 the second G1208 angel G32 sounded, G4537 and G2532 as it were G5613 a great G3173 mountain G3735 burning G2545 with fire G4442 was cast G906 into G1519 the sea: G2281 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the sea G2281 became G1096 blood; G129 And G2532 the third part G5154 of the creatures G2938 which G3588 were in G1722 the sea, G2281 and had G2192 life, G5590 died; G599 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the ships G4143 were destroyed. G1311 And G2532 the third G5154 angel G32 sounded, G4537 and G2532 there fell G4098 a great G3173 star G792 from G1537 heaven, G3772 burning G2545 as it were G5613 a lamp, G2985 and G2532 it fell G4098 upon G1909 the third part G5154 of the rivers, G4215 and G2532 upon G1909 the fountains G4077 of waters; G5204 And G2532 the name G3686 of the star G792 is called G3004 Wormwood: G894 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the waters G5204 became G1096 G1519 wormwood; G894 and G2532 many G4183 men G444 died G599 of G1537 the waters, G5204 because G3754 they were made bitter. G4087 And G2532 the fourth G5067 angel G32 sounded, G4537 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the sun G2246 was smitten, G4141 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the moon, G4582 and G2532 the third part G5154 of the stars; G792 so as G2443 the third part G5154 of them G846 was darkened, G4654 and G2532 the day G2250 shone G5316 not G3361 for a third part G5154 of it, G846 and G2532 the night G3571 likewise. G3668
Who both G2532 killed G615 the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 their own G2398 prophets, G4396 and G2532 have persecuted G1559 us; G2248 and G2532 they please G700 not G3361 God, G2316 and G2532 are contrary G1727 to all G3956 men: G444 Forbidding G2967 us G2248 to speak G2980 to the Gentiles G1484 that G2443 they might be saved, G4982 to G1519 fill up G378 their G846 sins G266 alway: G3842 for G1161 the wrath G3709 is come G5348 upon G1909 them G846 to G1519 the uttermost. G5056
I say G3004 then, G3767 G3361 Hath G683 God G2316 cast away G683 his G846 people? G2992 God forbid. G3361 G1096 For G1063 I G1473 also G2532 am G1510 an Israelite, G2475 of G1537 the seed G4690 of Abraham, G11 of the tribe G5443 of Benjamin. G958 God G2316 hath G683 not G3756 cast away G683 his G846 people G2992 which G3739 he foreknew. G4267 G2228 Wot ye G1492 not G3756 what G5101 the scripture G1124 saith G3004 of G1722 Elias? G2243 how G5613 he maketh intercession G1793 to God G2316 against G2596 Israel, G2474 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 they have killed G615 thy G4675 prophets, G4396 and G2532 digged down G2679 thine G4675 altars; G2379 and I G2504 am left G5275 alone, G3441 and G2532 they seek G2212 my G3450 life. G5590 But G235 what G5101 saith G3004 the answer of God G5538 unto him? G846 I have reserved G2641 to myself G1683 seven thousand G2035 men, G435 who G3748 have G2578 not G3756 bowed G2578 the knee G1119 to the image of Baal. G896 Even so G3779 then G3767 at G1722 this present G3568 time G2540 also G2532 there is G1096 a remnant G3005 according G2596 to the election G1589 of grace. G5485
Esaias G2268 also G1161 crieth G2896 concerning G5228 Israel, G2474 Though G1437 the number G706 of the children G5207 of Israel G2474 be G5600 as G5613 the sand G285 of the sea, G2281 a remnant G2640 shall be saved: G4982 For G1063 he will finish G4931 the work, G3056 and G2532 cut it short G4932 in G1722 righteousness: G1343 because G3754 a short G4932 work G3056 will G4160 the Lord G2962 make G4160 upon G1909 the earth. G1093 And G2532 as G2531 Esaias G2268 said before, G4280 Except G1508 the Lord G2962 of Sabaoth G4519 had left G1459 us G2254 a seed, G4690 we had been G302 G1096 as G5613 Sodoma, G4670 and G2532 been made like G302 G3666 unto G5613 Gomorrha. G1116
But G1161 Jesus G2424 turning G4762 unto G4314 them G846 said, G2036 Daughters G2364 of Jerusalem, G2419 weep G2799 not G3361 for G1909 me, G1691 but G4133 weep G2799 for G1909 yourselves, G1438 and G2532 for G1909 your G5216 children. G5043 For, G3754 behold, G2400 the days G2250 are coming, G2064 in G1722 the which G3739 they shall say, G2046 Blessed G3107 are the barren, G4723 and G2532 the wombs G2836 that G3739 never G3756 bare, G1080 and G2532 the paps G3149 which G3739 never G3756 gave suck. G2337 Then G5119 shall they begin G756 to say G3004 to the mountains, G3735 Fall G4098 on G1909 us; G2248 and G2532 to the hills, G1015 Cover G2572 us. G2248
And G1161 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 Jerusalem G2419 compassed G2944 with G5259 armies, G4760 then G5119 know G1097 that G3754 the desolation G2050 thereof G846 is nigh. G1448 Then G5119 let them G5343 which are in G1722 Judaea G2449 flee G5343 to G1519 the mountains; G3735 and G2532 let them G1633 which are in G1722 the midst G3319 of it G846 depart out; G1633 and G2532 let G1525 not G3361 them that are in G1722 the countries G5561 enter G1525 thereinto. G1519 G846 For G3754 these G3778 be G1526 the days G2250 of vengeance, G1557 that all things G3956 which G3588 are written G1125 may be fulfilled. G4137 But G1161 woe G3759 unto G1722 them that are with child, G1064 G2192 and G2532 to them that give suck, G2337 in G1722 those G1565 days! G2250 for G1063 there shall be G2071 great G3173 distress G318 in G1909 the land, G1093 and G2532 wrath G3709 upon G1722 this G5129 people. G2992 And G2532 they shall fall G4098 by the edge G4750 of the sword, G3162 and G2532 shall be led away captive G163 into G1519 all G3956 nations: G1484 and G2532 Jerusalem G2419 shall be G2071 trodden down G3961 of G5259 the Gentiles, G1484 until G891 the times G2540 of the Gentiles G1484 be fulfilled. G4137
He shall come G2064 and G2532 destroy G622 these G5128 husbandmen, G1092 and G2532 shall give G1325 the vineyard G290 to others. G243 And G1161 when they heard G191 it, they said, G2036 God forbid. G3361 G1096 And G1161 he beheld G1689 them, G846 and said, G2036 What G5101 is G2076 this G5124 then G3767 that is written, G1125 The stone G3037 which G3739 the builders G3618 rejected, G593 the same G3778 is become G1096 the head G2776 of G1519 the corner? G1137 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 G2532 when G5613 he was come near, G1448 he beheld G1492 the city, G4172 and wept G2799 over G1909 it, G846 Saying, G3004 If G3754 G1487 thou hadst known, G1097 even G2532 thou, G4771 at least G2534 in G1722 this G5026 thy G4675 day, G2250 the things G3588 which belong unto G4314 thy G4675 peace! G1515 but G1161 now G3568 they are hid G2928 from G575 thine G4675 eyes. G3788 For G3754 the days G2250 shall come G2240 upon G1909 thee, G4571 that G2532 thine G4675 enemies G2190 shall cast G4016 a trench G5482 about G4016 thee, G4671 and G2532 compass G4033 thee G4571 round, G4033 and G2532 keep G4912 thee G4571 in G4912 on every side, G3840 And G2532 shall lay G1474 thee G4571 even with the ground, G1474 and G2532 thy G4675 children G5043 within G1722 thee; G4671 and G2532 they shall G863 not G3756 leave G863 in G1722 thee G4671 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another; G3037 because G473 G3739 thou knewest G1097 not G3756 the time G2540 of thy G4675 visitation. G1984
For G1063 then G5119 shall be G2071 great G3173 tribulation, G2347 such as G3634 was G1096 not G3756 since G575 the beginning G746 of the world G2889 to this G2193 time, G3568 no, G3761 nor ever G3364 shall be. G1096 And G2532 except G1508 those G1565 days G2250 should be shortened, G2856 there G3756 should G302 no G3956 flesh G4561 be saved: G4982 but G1161 for G1223 the elect's sake G1588 those G1565 days G2250 shall be shortened. G2856
That G3704 upon G1909 you G5209 may come G2064 all G3956 the righteous G1342 blood G129 shed G1632 upon G1909 the earth, G1093 from G575 the blood G129 of righteous G1342 Abel G6 unto G2193 the blood G129 of Zacharias G2197 son G5207 of Barachias, G914 whom G3739 ye slew G5407 between G3342 the temple G3485 and G2532 the altar. G2379 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 All G3956 these things G5023 shall come G2240 upon G1909 this G5026 generation. G1074 O Jerusalem, G2419 Jerusalem, G2419 thou that killest G615 the prophets, G4396 and G2532 stonest G3036 them which are sent G649 unto G4314 thee, G846 how often G4212 would I G2309 have gathered G1996 thy G4675 G3739 children G5043 together, G1996 even as G5158 a hen G3733 gathereth G1996 her G1438 chickens G3556 under G5259 her wings, G4420 and G2532 ye would G2309 not! G3756
The LORD H3068 shall bring H5375 a nation H1471 against thee from far, H7350 from the end H7097 of the earth, H776 as swift as the eagle H5404 flieth; H1675 a nation H1471 whose tongue H3956 thou shalt not understand; H8085 A nation H1471 of fierce H5794 countenance, H6440 which shall not regard H5375 the person H6440 of the old, H2205 nor shew favour H2603 to the young: H5288 And he shall eat H398 the fruit H6529 of thy cattle, H929 and the fruit H6529 of thy land, H127 until thou be destroyed: H8045 which also shall not leave H7604 thee either corn, H1715 wine, H8492 or oil, H3323 or the increase H7698 of thy kine, H504 or flocks H6251 of thy sheep, H6629 until he have destroyed H6 thee. And he shall besiege H6887 thee in all thy gates, H8179 until thy high H1364 and fenced H1219 walls H2346 come down, H3381 wherein H2004 thou trustedst, H982 throughout all thy land: H776 and he shall besiege H6887 thee in all thy gates H8179 throughout all thy land, H776 which the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath given H5414 thee. And thou shalt eat H398 the fruit H6529 of thine own body, H990 the flesh H1320 of thy sons H1121 and of thy daughters, H1323 which the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath given H5414 thee, in the siege, H4692 and in the straitness, H4689 wherewith thine enemies H341 shall distress H6693 thee: So that the man H376 that is tender H7390 among you, and very H3966 delicate, H6028 his eye H5869 shall be evil H3415 toward his brother, H251 and toward the wife H802 of his bosom, H2436 and toward the remnant H3499 of his children H1121 which he shall leave: H3498 So that he will not give H5414 to any H259 of them of the flesh H1320 of his children H1121 whom he shall eat: H398 because he hath nothing left H7604 him in the siege, H4692 and in the straitness, H4689 wherewith thine enemies H341 shall distress H6693 thee in all thy gates. H8179 The tender H7390 and delicate H6028 woman among you, which would not adventure H5254 to set H3322 the sole H3709 of her foot H7272 upon the ground H776 for delicateness H6026 and tenderness, H7391 her eye H5869 shall be evil H3415 toward the husband H376 of her bosom, H2436 and toward her son, H1121 and toward her daughter, H1323 And toward her young one H7988 that cometh out H3318 from between her feet, H7272 and toward her children H1121 which she shall bear: H3205 for she shall eat H398 them for want H2640 of all things secretly H5643 in the siege H4692 and straitness, H4689 wherewith thine enemy H341 shall distress H6693 thee in thy gates. H8179 If thou wilt not observe H8104 to do H6213 all the words H1697 of this law H8451 that are written H3789 in this book, H5612 that thou mayest fear H3372 this glorious H3513 and fearful H3372 name, H8034 THE LORD H3068 THY GOD; H430 Then the LORD H3068 will make H6381 thy plagues H4347 wonderful, H6381 and the plagues H4347 of thy seed, H2233 even great H1419 plagues, H4347 and of long continuance, H539 and sore H7451 sicknesses, H2483 and of long continuance. H539 Moreover he will bring H7725 upon thee all the diseases H4064 of Egypt, H4714 which thou wast afraid H3025 of; H6440 and they shall cleave H1692 unto thee. Also every sickness, H2483 and every plague, H4347 which is not written H3789 in the book H5612 of this law, H8451 them will the LORD H3068 bring H5927 upon thee, until thou be destroyed. H8045 And ye shall be left H7604 few H4592 in number, H4962 whereas H834 ye were as the stars H3556 of heaven H8064 for multitude; H7230 because thou wouldest not obey H8085 the voice H6963 of the LORD H3068 thy God. H430 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD H3068 rejoiced H7797 over you to do you good, H3190 and to multiply H7235 you; so the LORD H3068 will rejoice H7797 over you to destroy H6 you, and to bring you to nought; H8045 and ye shall be plucked H5255 from off the land H127 whither thou goest H935 to possess H3423 it. And the LORD H3068 shall scatter H6327 thee among all people, H5971 from the one end H7097 of the earth H776 even unto the other; H7097 and there thou shalt serve H5647 other H312 gods, H430 which neither thou nor thy fathers H1 have known, H3045 even wood H6086 and stone. H68 And among these H1992 nations H1471 shalt thou find no ease, H7280 neither shall the sole H3709 of thy foot H7272 have rest: H4494 but the LORD H3068 shall give H5414 thee there a trembling H7268 heart, H3820 and failing H3631 of eyes, H5869 and sorrow H1671 of mind: H5315 And thy life H2416 shall hang H8511 in doubt before H5048 thee; and thou shalt fear H6342 day H3119 and night, H3915 and shalt have none assurance H539 of thy life: H2416 In the morning H1242 thou shalt say, H559 Would God it were H5414 even! H6153 and at even H6153 thou shalt say, H559 Would God it were H5414 morning! H1242 for the fear H6343 of thine heart H3824 wherewith thou shalt fear, H6342 and for the sight H4758 of thine eyes H5869 which thou shalt see. H7200 And the LORD H3068 shall bring H7725 thee into Egypt H4714 again H7725 with ships, H591 by the way H1870 whereof I spake H559 unto thee, Thou shalt see H7200 it no more again: H3254 and there ye shall be sold H4376 unto your enemies H341 for bondmen H5650 and bondwomen, H8198 and no man shall buy H7069 you.
Therefore G1223 G5124 say I G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 The kingdom G932 of God G2316 shall be taken G142 from G575 you, G5216 and G2532 given G1325 to a nation G1484 bringing forth G4160 the fruits G2590 thereof. G846 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
And G1161 now G2235 also G2532 the axe G513 is laid G2749 unto G4314 the root G4491 of the trees: G1186 therefore G3767 every G3956 tree G1186 which bringeth G4160 not G3361 forth G4160 good G2570 fruit G2590 is hewn down, G1581 and G2532 cast G906 into G1519 the fire. G4442 I G1473 indeed G3303 baptize G907 you G5209 with G1722 water G5204 unto G1519 repentance: G3341 but G1161 he that cometh G2064 after G3694 me G3450 is G2076 mightier than G2478 I, G3450 whose G3739 shoes G5266 I am G1510 not G3756 worthy G2425 to bear: G941 he G846 shall baptize G907 you G5209 with G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 with fire: G4442 Whose G3739 fan G4425 is in G1722 his G846 hand, G5495 and G2532 he will throughly purge G1245 his G846 floor, G257 and G2532 gather G4863 his G846 wheat G4621 into G1519 the garner; G596 but G1161 he will burn up G2618 the chaff G892 with unquenchable G762 fire. G4442
For, behold, the day H3117 cometh, H935 that shall burn H1197 as an oven; H8574 and all the proud, H2086 yea, and all that do H6213 wickedly, H7564 shall be stubble: H7179 and the day H3117 that cometh H935 shall burn them up, H3857 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 that it shall leave H5800 them neither root H8328 nor branch. H6057 But unto you that fear H3373 my name H8034 shall the Sun H8121 of righteousness H6666 arise H2224 with healing H4832 in his wings; H3671 and ye shall go forth, H3318 and grow up H6335 as calves H5695 of the stall. H4770 And ye shall tread down H6072 the wicked; H7563 for they shall be ashes H665 under the soles H3709 of your feet H7272 in the day H3117 that I shall do H6213 this, saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635
Behold, I will send H7971 my messenger, H4397 and he shall prepare H6437 the way H1870 before H6440 me: and the Lord, H113 whom ye seek, H1245 shall suddenly H6597 come H935 to his temple, H1964 even the messenger H4397 of the covenant, H1285 whom ye delight H2655 in: behold, he shall come, H935 saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635 But who may abide H3557 the day H3117 of his coming? H935 and who shall stand H5975 when he appeareth? H7200 for he is like a refiner's H6884 fire, H784 and like fullers' H3526 soap: H1287
Behold, the day H3117 of the LORD H3068 cometh, H935 and thy spoil H7998 shall be divided H2505 in the midst H7130 of thee. 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
For I will no more pity H2550 the inhabitants H3427 of the land, H776 saith H5002 the LORD: H3068 but, lo, I will deliver H4672 the men H120 every one H376 into his neighbour's H7453 hand, H3027 and into the hand H3027 of his king: H4428 and they shall smite H3807 the land, H776 and out of their hand H3027 I will not deliver H5337 them. And I will feed H7462 the flock H6629 of slaughter, H2028 even you, H3651 O poor H6041 of the flock. H6629 And I took H3947 unto me two H8147 staves; H4731 the one H259 I called H7121 Beauty, H5278 and the other H259 I called H7121 Bands; H2254 and I fed H7462 the flock. H6629 Three H7969 shepherds H7462 also I cut off H3582 in one H259 month; H3391 and my soul H5315 lothed H7114 them, and their soul H5315 also abhorred H973 me. Then said H559 I, I will not feed H7462 you: that that dieth, H4191 let it die; H4191 and that that is to be cut off, H3582 let it be cut off; H3582 and let the rest H7604 eat H398 every one H802 the flesh H1320 of another. H7468
Behold, the eyes H5869 of the Lord H136 GOD H3069 are upon the sinful H2403 kingdom, H4467 and I will destroy H8045 it from off the face H6440 of the earth; H127 saving H657 that I will not utterly H8045 destroy H8045 the house H1004 of Jacob, H3290 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 For, lo, I will command, H6680 and I will sift H5128 the house H1004 of Israel H3478 among all nations, H1471 like as corn is sifted H5128 in a sieve, H3531 yet shall not the least grain H6872 fall H5307 upon the earth. H776
The sun H8121 shall be turned H2015 into darkness, H2822 and the moon H3394 into blood, H1818 before H6440 the great H1419 and the terrible H3372 day H3117 of the LORD H3068 come. H935 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call H7121 on the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 shall be delivered: H4422 for in mount H2022 Zion H6726 and in Jerusalem H3389 shall be deliverance, H6413 as the LORD H3068 hath said, H559 and in the remnant H8300 whom the LORD H3068 shall call. H7121
I also will choose H977 their delusions, H8586 and will bring H935 their fears H4035 upon them; because when I called, H7121 none did answer; H6030 when I spake, H1696 they did not hear: H8085 but they did H6213 evil H7451 before mine eyes, H5869 and chose H977 that in which I delighted H2654 not. Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD, H3068 ye that tremble H2730 at his word; H1697 Your brethren H251 that hated H8130 you, that cast you out H5077 for my name's H8034 sake, said, H559 Let the LORD H3068 be glorified: H3513 but he shall appear H7200 to your joy, H8057 and they shall be ashamed. H954 A voice H6963 of noise H7588 from the city, H5892 a voice H6963 from the temple, H1964 a voice H6963 of the LORD H3068 that rendereth H7999 recompence H1576 to his enemies. H341
Therefore will I number H4487 you to the sword, H2719 and ye shall all bow down H3766 to the slaughter: H2874 because when I called, H7121 ye did not answer; H6030 when I spake, H1696 ye did not hear; H8085 but did H6213 evil H7451 before mine eyes, H5869 and did choose H977 that wherein I delighted H2654 not. Therefore thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 Behold, my servants H5650 shall eat, H398 but ye shall be hungry: H7456 behold, my servants H5650 shall drink, H8354 but ye shall be thirsty: H6770 behold, my servants H5650 shall rejoice, H8055 but ye shall be ashamed: H954 Behold, my servants H5650 shall sing H7442 for joy H2898 of heart, H3820 but ye shall cry H6817 for sorrow H3511 of heart, H3820 and shall howl H3213 for vexation H7667 of spirit. H7307 And ye shall leave H3240 your name H8034 for a curse H7621 unto my chosen: H972 for the Lord H136 GOD H3069 shall slay H4191 thee, and call H7121 his servants H5650 by another H312 name: H8034
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Zechariah 13
Commentary on Zechariah 13 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 13
Zec 13:1-9. Cleansing of the Jews from Sin; Abolition of Idolatry; the Shepherd Smitten; the People of the Land Cut Off, except a Third Part Refined by Trials.
1. Connected with the close of the twelfth chapter. The mourning penitents are here comforted.
fountain opened—It has been long opened, but then first it shall be so "to the house of David," &c. (representing all Israel) after their long and weary wanderings. Like Hagar in the wilderness they remain ignorant of the refreshment near them, until God "opens their eyes" (Ge 21:19) [Moore]. It is not the fountain, but their eyes that need to be opened. It shall be a "fountain" ever flowing; not a laver needing constantly to be replenished with water, such as stood between the tabernacle and altar (Ex 30:18).
for sin … uncleanness—that is, judicial guilt and moral impurity. Thus justification and sanctification are implied in this verse as both flowing from the blood of Christ, not from ceremonial sacrifices (1Co 1:30; Heb 9:13, 14; 1Jo 1:7; compare Eze 36:25). Sin in Hebrew is literally a missing the mark or way.
2. Consequences of pardon; not indolence, but the extirpation of sin.
names of … idols—Their very names were not to be mentioned; thus the Jews, instead of Mephibaal, said Mephibosheth (Bosheth meaning a contemptible thing) (Ex 23:13; De 12:3; Ps 16:4).
out of the land—Judea's two great sins, idolatry and false prophecy, have long since ceased. But these are types of all sin (for example, covetousness, Eph 5:5, a besetting sin of the Jews now). Idolatry, combined with the "spirit" of "Satan," is again to be incarnated in "the man of sin," who is to arise in Judea (2Th 2:3-12), and is to be "consumed with the Spirit of the Lord's mouth." Compare as to Antichrist's papal precursor, "seducing spirits … doctrines of devils," &c., 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Pe 2:1.
the unclean spirit—Hebrew, spirit of uncleanness (compare Re 16:13); opposed to "the Spirit of holiness" (Ro 1:4), "spirit of error" (1Jo 4:6). One assuming to be divinely inspired, but in league with Satan.
3. The form of phraseology here is drawn from De 13:6-10; 18:20. The substantial truth expressed is that false prophecy shall be utterly abolished. If it were possible for it again to start up, the very parents of the false prophet would not let parental affection interfere, but would be the first to thrust him through. Love to Christ must be paramount to the tenderest of natural ties (Mt 10:37). Much as the godly love their children, they love God and His honor more.
4. prophets … ashamed—of the false prophecies which they have uttered in times past, and which the event has confuted.
rough garment—sackcloth. The badge of a prophet (2Ki 1:8; Isa 20:2), to mark their frugality alike in food and attire (Mt 3:4); also, to be consonant to the mournful warnings which they delivered. It is not the dress that is here condemned, but the purpose for which it was worn, namely, to conceal wolves under sheep's clothing [Calvin]. The monkish hair-shirt of Popery, worn to inspire the multitude with the impression of superior sanctity, shall be then cast aside.
5, 6. The detection of one of the false prophets dramatically represented. He is seized by some zealous vindicator of the law, and in fear cries out, "I am no prophet."
man—that is, one.
taught me to keep cattle—As "keeping cattle" is not the same as to be "an husbandman," translate rather, "Has used (or 'appropriated') me as a servant," namely, in husbandry [Maurer]. However, husbandry and keeping cattle might be regarded as jointly the occupation of the person questioned: then Am 7:14, "herdman," will accord with English Version. A Hebrew kindred word means "cattle." Both occupations, the respondent replies, are inconsistent with my being a "prophet."
6. wounds in thine hand—The interrogator still suspects him: "If so, if you have never pretended to be a prophet, whence come those wounds?" The Hebrew is literally, "between thine hands." The hands were naturally held up to ward off the blows, and so were "thrust through" (Zec 13:3) "between" the bones of the hand. Stoning was the usual punishment; "thrusting through" was also a fit retribution on one who tried to "thrust Israel away" from the Lord (De 13:10); and perfects the type of Messiah, condemned as a false prophet, and pierced with "wounds between His hands." Thus the transition to the direct prophecy of Him (Zec 13:7) is natural, which it would not be if He were not indirectly and in type alluded to.
wounded in … house of my friends—an implied admission that he had pretended to prophecy, and that his friends had wounded him for it in zeal for God (Zec 13:3). The Holy Spirit in Zechariah alludes indirectly to Messiah, the Antitype, wounded by those whom He came to befriend, who ought to have been His "friends," who were His kinsmen (compare Zec 13:3, as to the false prophet's friends, with Mr 3:21, "His friends," Margin, "kinsmen"; Joh 7:5; "His own," Joh 1:11; the Jews, "of whom as concerning the flesh He came," Ro 9:5), but who wounded Him by the agency of the Romans (Zec 12:10).
7. Expounded by Christ as referring to Himself (Mt 26:31, 32). Thus it is a resumption of the prophecy of His betrayal (Zec 11:4, 10, 13, 14), and the subsequent punishment of the Jews. It explains the mystery why He, who came to be a blessing, was cut off while bestowing the blessing. God regards sin in such a fearful light that He spared not His own co-equal Son in the one Godhead, when that Son bore the sinner's guilt.
Awake—Compare a similar address to the sword of justice personified (Jer 46:6, 7). For "smite" (imperative), Mt 26:31 has "I will smite." The act of the sword, it is thus implied, is God's act. So the prophecy in Isa 6:9, "Hear ye," is imperative; the fulfilment as declared by Jesus is future (Mt 13:14), "ye shall hear."
sword—the symbol of judicial power, the highest exercise of which is to take away the life of the condemned (Ps 17:13; Ro 13:4). Not merely a show, or expression, of justice (as Socinians think) is distinctly implied here, but an actual execution of it on Messiah the shepherd, the substitute for the sheep, by God as judge. Yet God in this shows His love as gloriously as His justice. For God calls Messiah "My shepherd," that is, provided (Re 13:8) for sinners by My love to them, and ever the object of My love, though judicially smitten (Isa 53:4) for their sins (Isa 42:1; 59:16).
man that is my fellow—literally, "the man of my union." The Hebrew for "man" is "a mighty man," one peculiarly man in his noblest ideal. "My fellow," that is, "my associate." "My equal" ([De Wette]; a remarkable admission from a Rationalist). "My nearest kinsman" [Hengstenberg], (Joh 10:30; 14:10, 11; Php 2:6).
sheep shall be scattered—The scattering of Christ's disciples on His apprehension was the partial fulfilment (Mt 26:31), a pledge of the dispersion of the Jewish nation (once the Lord's sheep, Ps 100:3) consequent on their crucifixion of Him. The Jews, though "scattered," are still the Lord's "sheep," awaiting their being "gathered" by Him (Isa 40:9, 11).
I will turn … hand upon … little ones—that is, I will interpose in favor of (compare the phrase in a good sense, Isa 1:25) "the little ones," namely, the humble followers of Christ from the Jewish Church, despised by the world: "the poor of the flock" (Zec 11:7, 11); comforted after His crucifixion at the resurrection (Joh 20:17-20); saved again by a special interposition from the destruction of Jerusalem, having retired to Pella when Cestius Gallus so unaccountably withdrew from Jerusalem. Ever since there has been a Jewish "remnant" of "the little ones … according to the election of grace." The hand of Jehovah was laid in wrath on the Shepherd that His hand might be turned in grace upon the little ones.
8, 9. Two-thirds of the Jewish nation were to perish in the Roman wars, and a third to survive. Probably from the context (Zec 14:2-9), which has never yet been fulfilled, the destruction of the two-thirds (literally, "the proportion of two," or "portion of two") and the saving of the remnant, the one-third, are still future, and to be fulfilled under Antichrist.
9. through … fire—of trial (Ps 66:10; Am 4:11; 1Co 3:15; 1Pe 1:6, 7). It hence appears that the Jews' conversion is not to precede, but to follow, their external deliverance by the special interposition of Jehovah; which latter shall be the main cause of their conversion, combined with a preparatory inward shedding abroad in their hearts of the Holy Spirit (Zec 12:10-14); and here, "they shall call on My name," in their trouble, which brings Jehovah to their help (Ps 50:15).
my people—(Jer 30:18-22; Eze 11:19, 20; Ho 2:23).