Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Bible Commentaries
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Commentary Critical
Copyright Statement
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
These files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
Bibliographical Information
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Zechariah 8". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/zechariah-8.html. 1871-8.
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Zechariah 8". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (39)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (6)
Introduction
CHAPTER 8
:-. CONTINUATION OF THE SUBJECT IN THE SEVENTH CHAPTER. After urging them to obedience by the fate of their fathers, he urges them to it by promises of coming prosperity.
Verse 2
2. jealous for Zionâ ( :-).
with great furyâagainst her oppressors.
Verse 3
3. I am returnedâthat is, I am determined to return. My decree to that effect is gone forth.
Jerusalem . . . city of truthâthat is, faithful to her God, who is the God of truth (Isaiah 1:21; Isaiah 1:26; John 17:17). Never yet fully fulfilled, therefore still to be so.
the mountain of the Lordâ (Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 2:3).
holy mountainâ (Isaiah 2:3- :).
Verse 4
4. So tranquil and prosperous shall the nation be that wars shall no longer prematurely cut off the people: men and women shall reach advanced ages. The promise of long life was esteemed one of the greatest blessings in the Jewish theocracy with its temporal rewards of obedience (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 4:40). Hence this is a leading feature in millennial blessedness (Isaiah 65:20; Isaiah 65:22).
for very ageâliterally, "for multitude of days."
Verse 5
5. boys and girls playingâimplying security and a numerous progeny, accounted a leading blessing among the Jews. Contrast Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 9:21.
Verse 6
6. However impossible these things just promised by Me seem to you, they are not so with God. The "remnant" that had returned from the captivity, beholding the city desolate and the walls and houses in ruins, could hardly believe what God promised. The expression "remnant" glances at their ingratitude in rating so low God's power, though they had experienced it so "marvellously" displayed in their restoration. A great source of unbelief is, men "limit" God's power by their own (Psalms 78:19; Psalms 78:20; Psalms 78:41).
these daysâ"of small things" (Zechariah 4:10), when such great things promised seemed incredible. MAURER, after JEROME, translates, "in those days"; that is, if the thing which I promised to do in those days, seems "marvellous," &c.
Verse 7
7. save my people from . . . east . . . westâthat is, from every region (compare :-; the "West" is literally, "the going down of the sun") to which they are scattered; they are now found especially in countries west of Jerusalem. The dispersion under Nebuchadnezzar was only to the east, namely, to Babylonia. The restoration, including a spiritual return to God ( :-), here foretold, must therefore be still future (Isaiah 11:11; Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 43:6; Ezekiel 37:21; Amos 9:14; Amos 9:15; also Zechariah 13:9; Jeremiah 30:22; Jeremiah 31:1; Jeremiah 31:33).
Verse 8
8. in truthâin good faith, both on their side and Mine: God being faithful to His everlasting covenant and enabling them by His Spirit to be faithful to Him.
Verse 9
9-13. All adversities formerly attended them when neglecting to build the temple: but now God promises all blessings, as an encouragement to energy in the work.
hands . . . strongâbe of courageous mind (2 Samuel 16:21), not merely in building, but in general, as having such bright prospects (Zechariah 8:13, c.).
these daysâthe time that had elapsed between the prophet's having spoken "these words" and the time (Zechariah 8:10 compare Haggai 2:15-19) when they set about in earnest restoring the temple.
the prophetsâHaggai and Zechariah himself (Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:2). The same prophets who promised prosperity at the foundation of the temple, now promised still greater blessings hereafter.
Verse 10
10. before these daysâbefore the time in which ye again proceeded with the building of the temple (Zechariah 8:9), namely, at the time that the temple lay neglected.
no hire for man . . . beastâthat is, no produce of the field to repay the labor of man and beast on it (Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 1:10; Haggai 2:16).
neither . . . peace to him that went out or came inâ (Haggai 2:16- :). No one could in safety do his business at home or abroad, in the city or in the country, whether going or returning.
because of the afflictionâso sorely pressed were they by the foe outside. MAURER translates, "Because of the foe" (Haggai 2:16- :).
every one against . . . neighbourâThere was internal discord, as well as foes from without.
Verse 11
11. "But now that the temple has been built, I will not do as I had formerly done to those who returned from Babylon" [JEROME]. Henceforth I will bless you.
Verse 12
12. seed . . . prosperousâthat is, shall not fair to yield abundantly (Hosea 2:21; Hosea 2:22; Haggai 2:19). Contrast with this verse Haggai 1:6; Haggai 1:9-11; Haggai 2:16.
dewâespecially beneficial in hot countries where rain is rare.
Verse 13
13. a curseâAs the heathen have made you another name for "a curse," wishing to their foes as bad a lot as yours (Jeremiah 24:9; Jeremiah 29:18); so your name shall be a formula of blessing, so that men shall say to their friend, May thy lot be as happy as that of Judah (Jeremiah 29:18- :). Including also the idea of the Jews being a source of blessing to the Gentile nations (Micah 5:7; Zephaniah 3:20). The distinct mention of "Judah" and "Israel" proves that the prophecy has not yet had its full accomplishment, as Israel (the ten tribes) has never yet been restored, though individuals of Israel returned with Judah.
Verse 14
14. I thoughtâI determined.
youâthat is, your fathers, with whom ye are one; the Jewish Church of all ages being regarded as an organic whole (compare Haggai 2:5; Matthew 23:31; Matthew 23:32).
repented notâI changed not My purpose, because they changed not their mind (Matthew 23:32- :). With the froward God shows Himself froward (Matthew 23:32- :). If the threatened punishment has been so unchangeably inflicted, much more will God surely give the promised blessing, which is so much more consonant to His nature (Matthew 23:32- :).
Verse 16
16, 17. The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness.
truth to . . . neighbourânot that the truth should not be spoken to foreigners too; but He makes it an aggravation of their sin, that they spared not even their brethren. Besides, and above all outward ordinances ( :-), God requires truth and justice.
judgment of . . . peaceâEquitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace.
gatesâthe place where courts of judicature in the East were held.
Verse 17
17. all these . . . I hateâtherefore ye too ought to hate them. Religion consists in conformity to God's nature, that we should love what God loves and hate what God hates.
Verse 18
18, 19. The prophet answers the query (Zechariah 7:3) as to the fast in the fifth month, by a reply applying to all their fasts: these are to be turned into days of rejoicing. So Jesus replied to His disciples when similarly consulting Him as to why fasting was not imposed by Him, as it was by John the Baptist. When the Sun of righteousness shines, tears are dried up (Zechariah 7:3- :). So hereafter (Zechariah 7:3- :).
Verse 19
19. fast of . . . fourth monthâOn the fourth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign, on the ninth day, Jerusalem was taken (Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:6; Jeremiah 52:7). It was therefore made a fast day.
fifth . . . seventhâ(See on Zechariah 7:3; Zechariah 7:3- :).
tenthâOn the tenth month and tenth day, in the ninth year of Zedekiah, the siege began (Jeremiah 52:4).
therefore love the truthâor, "only love." English Version is better. God's blessing covenanted to Israel is not made to depend on Israel's goodness: but Israel's goodness should follow as the consequence of God's gracious promises (Zechariah 8:16; Zechariah 8:17; Zechariah 7:9; Zechariah 7:10). God will bless, but not those who harden themselves in sin.
Verse 20
20. (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2).
Thus saith the Lord of hostsâa preface needed to assure the Jews, now disheartened by the perils surrounding them, and by the humble aspect of the temple. "Unlikely as what follows may seem to you, Jehovah of hosts, boundless in resources, saith it, therefore it shall be so." Just before Christ's coming, a feeling grew up among the heathen of the unsatisfactoriness of their systems of religion and philosophy; this disposed them favorably towards the religion of the Jew, so that proselytes embraced the worship of Jehovah from various parts of Asia; these again were predisposed to embrace Christianity when it was preached to them (Acts 2:9-12; Acts 2:41). But the full accomplishment of the conversion of the Gentiles foretold here is reserved till "Jerusalem" (Acts 2:41- :) becomes the center of Christianized Jewry (Romans 11:12; Romans 11:15).
Verse 21
21. Let us . . . Iâmanifesting zeal and love: converted themselves, they seek the conversion of others (Song of Solomon 1:4). To exhortation in general ("Let us go"), they add individual example ("I will go"). Or, the change from plural to singular implies that the general consent in religious earnestness leads each individual to decide for God.
go speedilyâliterally, "go, going"; implying intense earnestness.
prayâHebrew, "entreat the face" (Song of Solomon 1:4- :); entreat His favor and grace.
Verse 22
22. many . . . strong nations . . . in JerusalemâIn contrast to the few and weak Jews now building the temple and city, then such shall be their influence that many and strong nations shall come to worship Jehovah their God in Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:3; Isaiah 66:23).
Verse 23
23. tenâa definite number for an indefinite. So in Leviticus 22:26; Numbers 14:22.
of all languages of the nationsâthat is, of nations of all languages (compare Isaiah 66:18; Revelation 7:9).
take hold of the skirtâa gesture of suppliant entreaty as to a superior. Compare Isaiah 3:6; Isaiah 4:1, on a different occasion. The Gentiles shall eagerly seek to share the religious privileges of the Jew. The skirt with a fringe and blue ribbon upon it (Numbers 15:38; Deuteronomy 22:12) was a distinguishing badge of a Jew.
God is with youâthe effect produced on unbelievers in entering the assemblies of the Church (1 Corinthians 14:25). But primarily, that produced on the nations in witnessing the deliverance of the Jews by Cyrus. Finally, that to be produced on the nations by the future grand interposition of Messiah in behalf of His people.