B3 F 9:1-7. Deliverance from Enemies. Promised.
G 9:8. Yahaveh. Israel's Defense.
H 9:9. Zion's King. 1st Coming. Salvation.
H 9:10,11. Zion's King. 2ND Coming. Dominion.
G 9:12-17. Yahaveh. Israel's Defense.
F 10:1-12. Deliverance from Enemies. Accomplished.
407-403 B.C.
Zechariah 9)
1 The Divine declaration (cp. Isa. 13:1. Nah. 1:1) that is to say the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach (a country in the neighborhood of Damascus and Hamath [v.2], &c., mentioned in the Assyrian Inscriptions, with the 'arka of Gen. 10:17), and Damascus shall be its resting-place (i.e. the burden will rest upon it): for the Lord [will look] in mankind's eye, as well as of all the tribes of Israel's, shall be toward the LORD. (Cp. Jer. 32:19,20: i.e. to render all according to their doings)
2 And Hamath also which borders therein (i.e. on the land of Hamath [now Hama); Tyrus, and Zidon, because it be very wise.
3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
4 Behold, the LORD will dispossess her, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon (put for "shall gaze...and be amazed": or, "shall peep and fear") shall have none to sit [on the throne].
6 And a half-breed (or mongrel. He didn't have anything to do with his father) shall sit [as king] in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 And I will take away his bloods (put for the sacrifices [which were, of course, eaten) out of his mouth, and his abominations (idolatrous sacrifices) from between his teeth: but he that remains (i.e. the remnant of them), he also, shall [be subject to] our God, and he shall be as a chieftain (of duke) in Judah, and Ekron (put for Philistines) as a Jebusite (put for blood servant [1 Kings 9:20,21. Isa. 11:14.).
8 And I will encamp about My house because of the army, because of him that passes by, and against him that returns (i.e. to march to and fro): so that no oppressor (= to press hard, as a task-master [Ex. 5:6], or as a foreign oppressor [Isa. 9:4; 14:2,4], or as an exactor [2 Kings 23:35]) shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen [the infliction of My People] with My eyes. (God is going to protect His People.)
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; (This verse foretells the 1st coming of Messiah, recorded in the Gospels.)
shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your
King will come to you (see Mic. 5:2, where we have the going forth of Bethlehem [Matt. 2:1]. Here we have the coming to Jerusalem [Matt. 2:1]. Between these lay all the events we call "the 1st Advent". So will it be at "the 2nd Advent" with its many events, before it is fulfilled. See Matt. 21:1-10, and Luke 19:29-44):
having salvation ((2) He was heard and delivered [Ps. 22:20,21. Heb. 5:7], referring to His own suffering and death out of, which He was delivered [Ps. 16:10. Acts 2:24], by which He becomes the Savior of others [Isa. 53:8,10,11]); afflicted ((3) or oppressed. See Ps. 22:24. Isa. 53:4,7), and riding upon
an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim (this refers to the yet future 2nd coming; the present dispensation laying between vv. 9 and 10), and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and He shall speak peace to the nations (see 10:1. Cp. Pss. 46:9; 47:3. Isa. 2:4; 9:6,7. Mic. 5:5): and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea (cp. Ps. 72:8), and from the river (i.e. the Euphrates) even to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also [O Zion], by the blood of your covenant (ref. Ex. 24:5-8. Cp. Heb. 13:20) I have sent forth (i.e. from their captivity) your prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. (ref. Gen. 37:24.)
12 Return you to the strong hold (a safe because inaccessible place), you prisoners of the hope (i.e. which God have given, and on which He had caused them to hope [Ps. 119:49): even today do I declare that I will render double to you; (Ie. a prosperity and blessing double what was possessed before. The firstborn share. Cp. Isa. 61:7)
13 When I have bent Judah for Me, grasped the bow with Ephraim, and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece (cp. Gen. 10;2,4. Isa. 66:19. Ezek. 27:13. Dan. 8:21; 11:2. Joel 3:6), and made you as the sword of a mighty man.
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow (Ephraim) shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet (7th Trump, 2nd Advent), and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them (see Isa. 31:5. Don't worry, He gave you ways to defeat the enemy); and they shall devour [their enemies], and subdue with sling stones (or trample with their weapons); and they shall drink, and shout as through wine; and they shall be filled (i.e. filled with wine) like bowls, and as the sacrificial bowls [are filled with blood, which are tossed against] the corners (or horns) of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His People: for they shall be as the gems of a diadem, sparkling as an ensign upon His soil. (He will be proud of you, He is there!)
17 For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty! corn shall make the young men flourish (they will win every battle), and new wine the maids. (See Matt. 25.)