Bible Commentaries

burden = oracle. Compare Zechariah 9:1, and the Structure on p. 1280.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

for = upon: i.e. concerning Israel's affliction and final deliverance.

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

Which stretcheth forth, &c. The omnipotence of Jehovah is the guarantee that His word will be carried out. Compare lsa. Zechariah 42:5; Zechariah 44:24; Zechariah 45:12, Zechariah 45:18; Zechariah 48:13.

and layeth, &c. Compare Psalms 24:2; Psalms 102:25; Psalms 104:2-5. Amos 4:8, Amos 4:13 Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6.

formeth, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:7. Numbers 16:22). App-92.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

man. Hebrew. adam. App-14.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

people = peoples.

And = And it shall come to pass that in that day, &c.

a burdensome stone. A stone difficult to lift or to move; not a stone to throw. Occurs only here. burden, &c. i.e. seek to lift it.

cut in pieces = lacerated. Assyria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Egypt of old, and in later days Spain, Portugal. and Russia have been so lacerated on account of their treatment of the Jews.

astonishment = the panic. Compare Deuteronomy 28:28.

open Mine eyes upon = regard with favour.

strength. See note on Zechariah 6:3.

the Lord of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

hearth = chafing dish. Compare 2 Samuel 2:14.

even in = as.

first. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "as at the first".

feeble = tottering.

come. Some codices read "come to make war".

look = look attentively with hope and concern; as in Genesis 19:17, Genesis 19:26. Quoted in Matthew 24:30. John 19:37. Compare the first occurance. (Genesis 15:5), and Ex, Zechariah 33:8. This is the effect of the gift of the Spirit.

upon = unto.

Me, Western codices read "Me"; but the Eastern read "Him", with one early printed edition.

Whom they have pierced. See John 19:34, John 19:37. Revelation 1:7.

pierced. H eb, da kar. Occurs eleven times, and always means thrust through. Compare Zechariah 13:8.

shall there be a great mourning or, the wailing shall be great.

Hadadrimmon. Now Rummaneh, west of Esdraelon, near Megiddo, where king Josiah was slain, and where the mourning was unprecedented (2 Chronicles 35:22-25).

wives = women.

Nathan. See 2 Samuel 5:14. All those names are mentioned in the genealogy of Luk 3.

Shimei. See Numbers 3:18.