--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 552 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/552/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 552. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/552/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 552. Zechariah · 2 of 13 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/552/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/552/#p-N [¶0] 15. very sore displeased with the heathen--in contrast with "I was but a little displeased" with My people. God's displeasure with His people is temporary and for their chastening; with the heathen oppressors, it is final and fatal ([Jr 30:11]). God's instruments for chastising His people, when He has done with them, He casts into the fire. [¶1] are at ease--carnally secure. A stronger phrase than "is at rest" ([Zec 1:11]). They are "at ease," but as I am "sore displeased" with them, their ease is accursed. Judah is in "affliction," but as I love her and am jealous for her, she has every reason to be encouraged in prosecuting the temple work. [¶2] helped forward the affliction--afflicted My people more than I desired. The heathen sought the utter extinction of Judah to gratify their own ambition and revenge ([Is 47:6]; [Eze 25:3], ; Ob 10-17). [¶3] 16. I am returned--whereas in anger I had before withdrawn from her ([Ho 5:15]). [¶4] with mercies--not merely of one kind, nor once only, but repeated mercies. [¶5] my house shall be built--which at this time (the second year of Darius, [Zec 1:1]) had only its foundations laid ([Hag 2:18]). It was not completed till the sixth year of Darius ([Ezr 6:15]). [¶6] line--([Job 38:5]). The measuring-line for building, not hastily, but with measured regularity. Not only the temple, but Jerusalem also was to be rebuilt ([Ne 2:3], &c.; compare [Zec 2:1], ). Also, as to the future temple and city, [Eze 41:3]; 42:1-44:31; 45:6. [¶7] 17. yet--though heretofore lying in abject prostration. [¶8] My cities--not only Jerusalem, but the subordinate cities of Judah. God claims them all as peculiarly His, and therefore will restore them. [¶9] through prosperity ... spread abroad--or overflow; metaphor from an overflowing vessel or fountain (compare [Pr 5:16]) [Pembellus]. Abundance of fruits of the earth, corn and wine, and a large increase of citizens, are meant; also spiritual prosperity. [¶10] comfort Zion--([Is 40:1], 2; 51:3). [¶11] choose--([Zec 2:12]; ; [Is 14:1]). Here meaning, "show by acts of loving-kindness that He has chosen." His immutable choice from everlasting is the fountain whence flow all such particular acts of love. ### Zec 1:18-21. Second Vision. The power of the Jews foes shall be dissipated [¶13] 18. four horns--To a pastoral people like the Jews the horns of the strongest in the herd naturally suggested a symbol of power and pride of conscious strength: hence the ruling powers of the world ([Re 17:3], ). The number four in Zechariah's time referred to the four cardinal points of the horizon. Wherever God's people turned, there were foes to encounter ([Ne 4:7]); the Assyrian, Chaldean, and Samaritan on the north; Egypt and Arabia on the south; Philistia on the west; Ammon and Moab on the east. But the Spirit in the prophet looked farther; namely, to the four world powers, the only ones which were, or are, to rise till the kingdom of Messiah, the fifth, overthrows and absorbs all others in its universal dominion. Babylon and Medo-Persia alone had as yet risen, but soon Græco-Macedonia was to succeed (as [Zec 9:13] foretells), and Rome the fourth and last, was to follow (Da 2:1-49; 7:1-28). The fact that the repairing of the evils caused to Judah and Israel by all four kingdoms is spoken of here, proves that the exhaustive fulfilment is yet future, and only the earnest of it given in the overthrow of the two world powers which up to Zechariah's time had "scattered" Judah ([Jr 51:2]; [Eze 5:10], ). That only two of the four had as yet risen, is an argument having no weight with us, as we believe God's Spirit in the prophets regards the future as present; we therefore are not to be led by Rationalists who on such grounds deny the reference here and in [Zec 6:1] to the four world kingdoms. [¶14] 19. Judah, Israel--Though some of the ten tribes of Israel returned with Judah from Babylon, the full return of the former, as of the latter, is here foretold and must be yet future. [¶15] 20. four carpenters--or "artificers." The several instrumentalities employed, or to be employed, in crushing the "Gentile" powers which "scattered" Judah, are hereby referred to. For every one of the four horns there was a cleaving "artificer" to beat it down. For every enemy of God's people, God has provided a counteracting power adequate to destroy it. [¶16] 21. These are the horns--rather, Those, namely, the horns being distinguished from the "carpenters," or destroying workmen ("skilful to destroy," [Ex 21:31]), intended in the "these" of the question. [¶17] no man ... lift up his head--so depressed were they with a heavy weight of evils ([Job 10:15]). [¶18] to fray--to strike terror into them ([Eze 30:9]). [¶19] lifted up ... horn--in the haughtiness of conscious strength ([Psa 75:4], ) tyrannizing over Judah ([Eze 34:21]). ### Chapter 2 ### Zec 2:1-13. Third Vision. The man with the measuring-line [¶22] The city shall be fully restored and enlarged ([Zec 2:2-5]). Recall of the exiles ([Zec 2:6], ). Jehovah will protect His people and make their foes a spoil unto them ([Zec 2:8], ). The nations shall be converted to Jehovah, as the result of His dwelling manifestly amidst His people ([Zec 2:10-13]). [¶23] 1. man with a measuring-line--the same image to represent the same future fact as in [Eze 40:3]; . The "man" is Messiah (see on [Zec 1:8]), who, by measuring Jerusalem, is denoted as the Author of its coming restoration. Thus the Jews are encouraged in Zechariah's time to proceed with the building. Still more so shall they be hereby encouraged in the future restoration. [¶24] 2. To measure Jerusalem--(Compare [Re 11:1]; , ). [¶25] to see what is the breadth ... what is the length--rather, "what is to be the due breadth and length." [¶26] 3. angel that talked with me ... another angel--The interpreting angel is met by another angel sent by the measuring Divine Angel to "run" to Zechariah ([Zec 2:4]). Those who perform God's will must not merely creep, nor walk, but run with alacrity. [¶27] went forth--namely, from me (Zechariah). [¶28] went out--from the measuring angel. [¶29] 4. this young man--So Zechariah is called as being still a youth when prophetically inspired [Grotius]. Or, he is so called in respect to his ministry or service (compare [Nu 11:27]; [Jos 1:1]) [Vatablus]. Naturally the "angel that talked with" Zechariah is desired to "speak to" him the further communications to be made from the Divine Being. [¶30] towns without walls for the multitude ... Cattle--So many shall be its inhabitants that all could not be contained within the walls, but shall spread out in the open country around ([Es 9:19]); and so secure shall they be as not to need to shelter themselves and their cattle behind walls. So hereafter Judea is to be "the land of unwalled villages" ([Eze 38:11]). Spiritually, now the Church has extended herself beyond the walls ([Ep 2:14], ) of Mosaic ordinances and has spread from cities to country villages, whose inhabitants gave their Latin name (pagani) to pagans, as being the last in parting with heathenism. [¶31] 5. I ... wall of fire round--Compare [Zec 2:4]. Yet as a city needs some wall, I Jehovah will act as one of fire which none durst approach ([Zec 9:8]; [Is 26:1]). [¶32] glory in the midst--not only a defense from foes outside, but a glory within ([Is 60:19]; [Re 21:23]). The same combination of "glory and defense" is found in [Is 4:5], alluding to the pillar of cloud and fire which defended and enlightened Israel in the desert. Compare Elisha in Dothan ([2Ki 6:17]). As God is to be her "glory," so she shall be His "glory" ([Is 62:3]). [¶33] 6. flee from the land of the north--that is, from Babylon: a type of the various Gentile lands, from which the Jews are to be recalled hereafter; hence "the four winds of heaven" are specified, implying that they are to return from all quarters ([De 28:64]; [Jr 16:15]; [Eze 17:21]). The reason why they should flee from Babylon is: (1) because of the blessings promised to God's people in their own land; (2) because of the evils about to fall on their foe ([Zec 2:7-9]). Babylon was soon to fall before Darius, and its inhabitants to endure fearful calamities ([Is 48:20]; [Jr 50:8]; , ). Many of the Jews in Zechariah's time had not yet returned to Judea. Their tardiness was owing to (1) unbelief; (2) their land had long lain waste, and was surrounded with bitter foes; (3) they regarded suspiciously the liberty of return given by Cyrus and Darius, as if these monarchs designed suddenly to crush them; (4) their long stay in Babylon had obliterated the remembrance of their own land; (5) the wealth and security there contrasted with Judea, where their temple and city were in ruins. All this betrayed foul ingratitude and disregard of God's extraordinary favor, which is infinitely to be preferred to all the wealth of the world [Calvin and Pembellus]. [¶34] for I have spread you abroad--The reasoning is: I who scattered you from your land to all quarters, can also gather you again to it. [¶35] 7. O Zion ... daughter of Babylon--Thou whose only sure dwelling is "Zion," inseparably connected with the temple, art altogether out of thy place in "dwelling with the daughter of Babylon" (that is, Babylon and her people, [Psa 137:8]; [Is 1:8]). [¶36] After the glory--After restoring the "glory" ([Zec 2:5]; [Is 4:5]; [Ro 9:4]) of Jehovah's presence to Jerusalem, He (God the Father) hath commissioned ME (God the Son, [Is 48:16], the Divine Angel: God thus being at once the Sender and the Sent) to visit in wrath "the nations which spoiled you." Messiah's twofold office from the Father is: (1) to glorify His Church; (2) to punish its foes ([2Th 1:7-10]). Both offices manifest His glory ([Pr 16:4]). [¶37] toucheth ... the apple of his eye--namely, of Jehovah's eye ([De 32:10]; [Psa 17:8]; [Pr 7:2]). The pupil, or aperture, through which rays pass to the retina, is the tenderest part of the eye; the member which we most sedulously guard from hurt as being the dearest of our members; the one which feels most acutely the slightest injury, and the loss of which is irreparable. [¶38] 9. shake ... hand--A mere wave of God's hand can prostrate all foes (compare [Ru 1:13]; [Job 31:21]; [Is 11:15]; ; [Ac 13:11]). [¶39] a spoil to their servants--to the Jews whom they had once as their slaves (compare [Is 14:2]). As the Jews' state between the return from Babylon and Christ's coming was checkered with much adversity, this prophecy can only have its fulfilment under Christ. [¶40] sent me--([Is 48:16]; ; [Joh 10:36]). [¶41] 10. I will dwell in ... midst of thee--primarily at Messiah's first advent ([Psa 40:7]; [Joh 1:14]; [Col 2:9]; [1Ti 3:16]); more fully at His second advent ([Is 40:10]). So [Zec 9:9], where see on [Zec 9:9] ([Is 12:6]; [Eze 37:27]; [Zep 3:14]). Meanwhile God dwells spiritually in His people ([2Co 6:16]). [¶42] 11. many nations ... joined to the Lord in that day--The result of the Jews' exile in Babylon was that, at their subsequent return, through the diffusion of knowledge of their religion, many Gentiles became proselytes, worshipping in the court of the Gentiles ([1Ki 8:41]). Cyrus, Darius, Alexander, Ptolemy Philadelphus, Augustus, and Tiberius, paid respect to the temple by sending offerings [Grotius]. But all this is but a shadow of the future conversion of the Gentiles which shall result from Jehovah dwelling in Jerusalem ([Psa 102:15], ; [Php 2:10], ). [¶43] sent me unto thee--"unto thee" is here added to the same formula ([Zec 2:9]). Zion first shall "know (generally) that Jehovah of hosts hath sent" Messiah, by the judgments inflicted by Him on her foes. Subsequently, she shall know experimentally the particular sending of Messiah unto her. Jehovah here says, "I will dwell," and then that Jehovah of hosts sent Him; therefore Jehovah the Sender and Jehovah the Sent must be One. [¶44] 12. Judah his portion in the holy land--Lest the joining of the Gentile "nations to Jehovah" ([Zec 2:11]) should lead the Jews to fear that their peculiar relation to Him ([De 4:20]; ; ) as "His inheritance" should cease, this verse is added to assure them of His making them so hereafter "again."