Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 1

Verse 1

In the eighth month, &c. Zechariah's first prophecy is dated (Zechariah 1:1 ) "in the eighth month in the second year of Darius" (Hystaspis) (410 b. c.) ; sixteen years after the Decree of Cyrus. It thus comes midway between Haggai's second and third messages. See notes on Haggai 1:1-10 .

Modern critics first assume that the day ought to be named, and then further assume that it has "fallen out accidentally"!

Darius. Darius (Hystaspis). See App-57 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 ,

Zechariah = Remembered of Jehovah.

Berechiah = Blessed of Jehovah. Compare Matthew 23:35 . This prophet would be the one referred to by the Lord, unless the father of the Zechariah of 2 Chronicles 24:20 , 2 Chronicles 24:21 had more than one name, which was sometimes the ease. See Esau's wives (Genesis 26:34 ; Genesis 28:9 ; Genesis 36:2 , Genesis 36:3 ). The latter would be the last (and Abel the first in the O.T.), according to the place of Chronicles in the Hebrew Canon (see App-1 ).

son. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for descendant.

Iddo . See Ezra 5:1 ; Ezra 6:14 .Nehemiah 12:4 .Nehemiah 12:16 .

Verse 2

sore displeased. Hebrew displeased with a displeasure. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . See note on Genesis 26:28 .

your fathers. Compare verses: Zechariah 1:4 , Zechariah 1:6 ,

Verse 3

saith = hath said.

the LORD of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah. Zebbaioth. App-4 . This title occurs fifty-three times in this book, forty-four times in chs. 1-8, and nine times in chs. 9-14. It is characteristic of this book twenty-nine times it is with the verbs saith or speaketh. All are referred to in the notes.

Turn = Return. Note the Figure of speech Epimone ( App-6 ), in verses: Zechariah 1:3-6 , in which the fact is emphasised by dwelling upon it as the cause of all Jehovah's displeasure.

saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth.

Verse 4

the former prophets : i.e. Joshua to 2 Kings. See App-1 and App-78 .

evil = wicked. Hebrew. raa `. App-44 .

saith = hath said.

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

Verse 5

where are they? This in contrast with the words of Jehovah, which endure forever (Zechariah 1:6 ). Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 6

take hold of = overtake. Compare Deuteronomy 28:15 , Deuteronomy 28:45 .

said. See Lamentations 1:18 .

Verse 7

Upon , &c. See note on p. 1280.

eleventh month . Three months after Zechariah 1:1 .

Verse 8

I saw , &c. In this first of the eight visions (Zechariah 1:8 - Zechariah 6:15 ) Israel is in dispersion; the Gentiles are in possession at the time of the end. Jehovah is about to interfere on behalf of Jerusalem (verses: Zechariah 1:16 , Zechariah 1:17 . Isaiah 40:1-5 ).

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . This man is the "Adonai "of Zechariah 1:9 , and "the angel of Jehovah" of verses: Zechariah 1:11 , Zechariah 1:12 , as the prophet discovers from the "man's" answer. The riders of Zechariah 1:8 report to the angel (Zechariah 1:11 ).

among = between.

bottom = the shade i.e. between the two mountains of Zechariah 6:1 .

horses. Representing all earthly dynasties.

speckled = bay.

Verse 9

my lord. Hebrew. Adonai . App-4 .

angel . See verses: Zechariah 1:11 , Zechariah 1:12 , Zechariah 1:13 , Zechariah 1:14 , Zechariah 1:19 ; Zechariah 2:3 ; Zechariah 4:1 , Zechariah 4:5 ; Zechariah 5:10 ; Zechariah 6:4 , Zechariah 6:5 .

be = are.

Verse 11

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 12

mercy = compassion, or pity. Compare Zechariah 7:9 . Psalms 102:13 .Isaiah 14:1 ; Isaiah 49:13 .

Jerusalem. Not the "Church".

threescore and ten. See Daniel 9:2 , and notes on 2 Chronicles 36:21 .

Verse 13

answered. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 . Jehovah Himself now speaks.

Verse 15

heathen = nations.

at ease = indifferent (Isaiah 32:9 , Isaiah 32:11 .Amos 6:1; Amos 6:1 ).

affliction = calamity. Hebrew. raa '. App-44 . Compare Isaiah 47:11 .Jeremiah 44:11 .

Verse 16

shall be built in it . The Temple therefore had not yet been commenced.

a line shall be stretched, &c. f. e. a measuring-line. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the whole work of building. Compare Zechariah 2:1 , Zechariah 2:2 .

Verse 17

comfort = pity, or have compassion on; as mercy" in Zechariah 1:12 .

Verse 18

four horns : "horns" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the Gentile (Zechariah 1:21 ) powers signified by thorn.

Verse 19

Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. With 'eth pre- fixed to the first two (not Jerusalem) for emphasis, so that we may not confuse them with the Church or with Gentile peoples. There is no "gloss", as alleged.

Verse 20

shewed me. This is part of the second vision,

carpenters = (iron)smiths.

Verse 21

he : i.e. the angel,

these : i.e. these four smiths (or it may denote the supernatural princes over the kingdoms). They repre sent the Divine agencies raised up, by which Jehovah will overthrow them.

fray. Short for affray-to terrify; hence English, afraid and affright. So the Hebrew harad = terrify. put in consternation (Hebrew. Hiphil, causative). Compare Zephaniah 3:13 .

them : i.e. the kingdoms represented by the horns.

Gentiles = nations.