1SEINE Rede geschah weiter, zu sprechen: 2So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: »Ich eifre um Zion eines großen Eifers, in großer Glut eifre ich drum.« 3So hat ER gesprochen: »Ich kehre nach Zion, ich wohne ein inmitten Jerusalems.« - Jerusalem wird gerufen: Stadt der Treue, und SEIN des Umscharten Berg: Berg der Heiligkeit. - 4So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: »Noch werden sitzen Greise und Greisinnen auf den Plätzen Jerusalems, jedermann seinen Stützstab in seiner Hand wegen der Menge der Tage. 5Und die Plätze der Stadt werden voll sein von Knaben und Mädchen, die auf ihren Plätzen spielen.« 6So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: »Wenn das in den Augen des Überrests dieses Volkes wunderbar ist in den Tagen da, soll es auch in meinen Augen wunderbar sein?« Erlauten ists von IHM dem Umscharten. 7So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: »Wohlan, ich befreie mein Volk aus dem Land des Sonnenaufgangs und aus dem Land der Sonnenrüste, 8ich bringe sie herbei, einwohnen sollen sie in der Mitte Jerusalems, sie sollen mir werden zum Volk und ich, ich will ihnen werden zum Gott in Treue und in Wahrhaftigkeit.« 9So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: Mögen festigen sich eure Hände, die ihr in diesen Tagen hört diese Rede aus dem Munde der Künder! - Ihrer, die da sind am Tag, wenn gegründet ward SEIN des Umscharten Haus, die Tempelhalle, um erbaut zu werden. - 10Denn vor den Tagen da wurde dem Menschen nicht Lohn und kein Lohn war dem Vieh, dem Hinauswandernden, dem Hereinkommenden war kein Friede vor dem Bedränger, ich ließ alles Menschentum los, jedermann wider seinen Genossen. 11Jetzt aber bin ich nicht wie in frühern Tagen für den Überrest dieses Volks, Erlauten von IHM dem Umscharten, 12nein, Saat des Friedens ists! Der Weinstock gibt seine Frucht, das Erdland gibt sein Gewächs, der Himmel gibt seinen Tau, all das eigne ich zu dem Überrest dieses Volks. 13Werden solls: Wie ihr eine Verwünschung seid worden unter den Weltstämmen, Haus Jehuda und Haus Jissrael, so befreie ich euch, daß ihr Segen werdet. Fürchtet euch nimmer, mögen festigen sich eure Hände! 14Ja, so hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: Gleichwie ich gesonnen habe euch Böses zu tun, als eure Väter mich ergrimmten - ER der Umscharte hats gesprochen - , und ließ mirs nicht leidwerden, 15so sinne umkehrig ich in diesen Tagen, Jerusalem und dem Hause Jehuda Gutes zu tun: fürchtet euch nimmer! 16Dies ist die Rede, die ihr betätigen sollt: Redet treulich jedermann zu seinem Genossen, Treue und Friedensrecht richtet in euren Toren! 17Ein Mann Böses seinem Genossen, planets nimmer in eurem Herzen, den Lügenschwur liebet nimmer! denn all dies ist, was ich hasse, ist SEIN Erlauten. 18SEINE des Umscharten Rede geschah weiter zu mir, es sprach: 19So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: Das Fasten des Vierten, das Fasten des Fünften, das Fasten des Siebenten, das Fasten des Zehnten, werden solls dem Hause Jehuda zu Lust, zu Freude, zu guten Festgezeiten, - aber die Treue und den Frieden liebet! 20So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: Noch ists, daß Völker kommen, Insassen vieler Städte, 21und die Insassen der einen gehen zu einer andern, um zu sprechen: Den Gang wollen wir gehn, SEIN Antlitz zu sänftigen! und: IHN den Umscharten aufzusuchen gehen will auch ich! 22Sie kommen, viele Völker, mächtige Stämme, IHN den Umscharten aufzusuchen in Jerusalem, SEIN Antlitz zu sänftigen. 23So hat ER der Umscharte gesprochen: In jenen Tagen ists, da werden fassen zehn Männer von allen Stämmewelt-Zungen, anfassen den Rockzipfel eines jüdischen Mannes, sprechend: Mit euch wollen wir gehn, denn, wir habens gehört, Gott ist mit euch.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 2 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. (Zec. 8:1-23)
jealous for Zion-- (
Zach 1:14).
with great fury--against her oppressors.
3 I am returned--that is, I am determined to return. My decree to that effect is gone forth.
Jerusalem . . . city of truth--that is, faithful to her God, who is the God of truth (
Iz 1:21,
Iz 1:26;
Jn 17:17). Never yet fully fulfilled, therefore still to be so.
the mountain of the Lord-- (
Iz 2:2-
Iz 2:3).
holy mountain-- (
Jer 31:23).
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 (
Ex 20:12;
Dt 4:40). Hence this is a leading feature in millennial blessedness (
Iz 65:20,
Iz 65:22).
for very age--literally, "for multitude of days."
5 boys and girls playing--implying security and a numerous progeny, accounted a leading blessing among the Jews. Contrast
Jer 6:11;
Jer 9:21.
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 (
Ž 78:19-
Ž 78:20,
Ž 78:41).
these days--"of small things" (
Zach 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.
7 save my people from . . . east . . . west--that is, from every region (compare
Ž 50:1; 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 (
Zach 8:8), here foretold, must therefore be still future (
Iz 11:11-
Iz 11:12;
Iz 43:5-
Iz 43:6;
Ez 37:21;
Am 9:14-
Am 9:15; also
Zach 13:9;
Jer 30:22;
Jer 31:1,
Jer 31:33).
8 in truth--in 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.
9 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 . . . strong--be of courageous mind (
2Sam 16:21), not merely in building, but in general, as having such bright prospects (
Zach 8:13, &c.).
these days--the time that had elapsed between the prophet's having spoken "these words" and the time (
Zach 8:10; compare
Ag 2:15-
Ag 2:19) when they set about in earnest restoring the temple.
the prophets--Haggai and Zechariah himself (
Ezd 5:1-
Ezd 5:2). The same prophets who promised prosperity at the foundation of the temple, now promised still greater blessings hereafter.
10 before these days--before the time in which ye again proceeded with the building of the temple (
Zach 8:9), namely, at the time that the temple lay neglected.
no hire for man . . . beast--that is, no produce of the field to repay the labor of man and beast on it (
Ag 1:6,
Ag 1:9-
Ag 1:10;
Ag 2:16).
neither . . . peace to him that went out or came in-- (
2Krn 15:5). 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 affliction--so sorely pressed were they by the foe outside. MAURER translates, "Because of the foe" (
Ezd 4:1).
every one against . . . neighbour--There was internal discord, as well as foes from without.
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.
12 seed . . . prosperous--that is, shall not fair to yield abundantly (
Oz 2:21-
Oz 2:22;
Ag 2:19). Contrast with this verse
Ag 1:6,
Ag 1:9-
Ag 1:11;
Ag 2:16.
dew--especially beneficial in hot countries where rain is rare.
13 a curse--As the heathen have made you another name for "a curse," wishing to their foes as bad a lot as yours (
Jer 24:9;
Jer 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 (
Gn 48:20). Including also the idea of the Jews being a source of blessing to the Gentile nations (
Mich 5:7;
Sof 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.
14 I thought--I determined.
you--that is, your fathers, with whom ye are one; the Jewish Church of all ages being regarded as an organic whole (compare
Ag 2:5;
Mt 23:31-
Mt 23:32).
repented not--I changed not My purpose, because they changed not their mind (
2Krn 36:16). With the froward God shows Himself froward (
Ž 18:26). 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 (
Jer 31:28).
16 The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness.
truth to . . . neighbour--not 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 (
Zach 7:3), God requires truth and justice.
judgment of . . . peace--Equitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace.
gates--the place where courts of judicature in the East were held.
17 all these . . . I hate--therefore 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.
18 The prophet answers the query (
Zach 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 (
Mt 9:15). So hereafter (
Iz 35:10).
19 fast of . . . fourth month--On the fourth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign, on the ninth day, Jerusalem was taken (
Jer 39:2;
Jer 52:6-
Jer 52:7). It was therefore made a fast day.
fifth . . . seventh--(See on
Zach 7:3;
Zach 7:5).
tenth--On the tenth month and tenth day, in the ninth year of Zedekiah, the siege began (
Jer 52:4).
therefore love the truth--or, "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 (
Zach 8:16-
Zach 8:17;
Zach 7:9-
Zach 7:10). God will bless, but not those who harden themselves in sin.
20 (
Iz 2:3;
Mich 4:2).
Thus saith the Lord of hosts--a 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 (
Sk 2:9-
Sk 2:12,
Sk 2:41). But the full accomplishment of the conversion of the Gentiles foretold here is reserved till "Jerusalem" (
Zach 8:22) becomes the center of Christianized Jewry (
Rim 11:12,
Rim 11:15).
21 Let us . . . I--manifesting zeal and love: converted themselves, they seek the conversion of others (
Pies 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 speedily--literally, "go, going"; implying intense earnestness.
pray--Hebrew, "entreat the face" (
Zach 7:2); entreat His favor and grace.
22 many . . . strong nations . . . in Jerusalem--In 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 (
Iz 60:3;
Iz 66:23).
23 ten--a definite number for an indefinite. So in
Lv 22:26;
Nm 14:22.
of all languages of the nations--that is, of nations of all languages (compare
Iz 66:18;
Zjv 7:9).
take hold of the skirt--a gesture of suppliant entreaty as to a superior. Compare
Iz 3:6;
Iz 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 (
Nm 15:38;
Dt 22:12) was a distinguishing badge of a Jew.
God is with you--the effect produced on unbelievers in entering the assemblies of the Church (
1Kor 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.
Written long after the previous portions of the book, whence arise the various features which have been made grounds for attacking their authenticity, notwithstanding the testimony of the Septuagint and of the compilers of the Jewish canon in their favor. See Introduction.
ALEXANDER'S CONQUESTS IN SYRIA (
Zach 9:1-
Zach 9:8). GOD'S PEOPLE SAFE BECAUSE HER COMETH LOWLY, BUT A SAVIOUR (
Zach 9:9-
Zach 9:10). THE MACCABEAN DELIVERANCE A TYPE THEREOF (
Zach 9:11-
Zach 9:17).