Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 1:16
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
16. Therefore ] because I am thus jealous for my people and angry with their enemies.
a line ] i.e. a measuring line, to mark out the city with a view to its being rebuilt. Comp. Job 38:5. It had been measured before for destruction, 2Ki 21:13; Lam 2:8.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Therefore – This being so, since God was so jealous for His people, so displeased with their persecutors, thus saith the Lord, Dionysius, I who in wrath remember mercy, am returned Hab 3:2, not by change of place, who am uncircumscribed, not existing in place, to the people of Judah and Jerusalem in mercies, manifoldly benefiting them by various effects of My love. The single benefits, the rebuilding of His House, and so the restoration of His public worship, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, are but instances of that all-containing mercy, His restored presence in tender mercies. I am returned, God says, although the effects of His return were yet to come.
A line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem – Before, when it stood, this had been done to destroy 2Ki 21:13; Isa 34:11; now, when destroyed, to rebuild .
Osorius: The temple was built then, when the foundations of the walls were not yet laid. In mans sight it would have seemed more provident that the walls should be first builded, that then the temple might be builded more securely. To God, in whom alone is the most firm stay of our life and salvation, it seemed otherwise. For it cannot be that he, to whom nothing is dearer fhan zeal for the most holy religion, should be forsaken of His help.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Zec 1:16
I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies
Returning mercies
Jerusalem and Zion are laid waste, it is true, but not in anger, so much as in chastising love.
God still loves them, and is jealous of any estrangement of their affections from Him, and when estranged He chastises them to bring them back. This was His object in using the heathen as instruments of chastisement, but the spirit in which they executed this office provoked His wrath. He designed only to inflict a slight chastisement, but they rioted in the sufferings of His people with wanton cruelty. They mocked their sorrows and taunted them with their abandonment. Hence God will punish these heathen, and will bestow mercy on His people, cause the temple to be built, the city to be enlarged, and prosperity to return to the land. (T. V. Moore, D. D.)
The Divine absence and return
1. God seems to absent Himself sometimes from those for whom He hath great blessings in store. By absenting Himself is meant only the withdrawing His countenance, or sunshine of His favour, when the clouds of adversity or trouble, either spiritual or temporal, sit uneasy on His chosen servants. At such times He seems to hide His face from them. Afflictions in this life are like eclipses of celestial bodies, the noblest planet never suffers any, for when we say the sun is eclipsed, it is we are more properly so, we want his cheerful light and influences, whilst he himself is not diminished one ray. The moon is sometimes really eclipsed, and labours under the want of a borrowed light. Thus Divinest constitutions never suffer. The lunar populace are more really affected by that obscurity which can never hurt a being, placed so near Divinity. But if such an one hath been obscured, then this proposition must be granted, that God Almighty doth sometimes seem to absent Himself from those whom He best loves. Joseph, David, and even the Son of God Himself, had more than an ordinary share of this worlds frowns. The reason for such experiences may respect–
(1) God Himself. He may permit this for His own Divine sake, that He may be glorified by all that happens to the children of men; that the wise man may see that he hath no reason to glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his strength, but that all things by Gods providence come alike sometimes to all.
(2) In respect of those whom He loves, God may sometimes afflict them either by way of admonition or trial. God is that wise and tender physician who never administers any uneasy medicine but when He sees there is an occasion for it. All the dispensations of His providence are the results of Divine wisdom and unchangeable love; therefore they ought most to suspect themselves who have the least share of severe favours. God may design to make trial of the patience, virtue, faith, hope, or charity of any one of His servants.
(3) The like reason not only regards the sufferer, but all others who are witnesses and spectators of their sufferings. That they may see the advantages of religion above all other supports and consolations, how useful and effectual it is.
2. Such absenting of Himself is but for a while, as seems best to His goodness and wisdom I am returned denotes the speediness and certainty of Gods returning with mercies. The fountain of honour can never be impoverished or impaired by making the first overtures of tenderness and reconciliation. He is in great haste for an accommodation; He condescends much to our infirmities. It is His nature and property to have mercy and forgive.
3. When He doth return it is with all the tenders of love and compassion. Not with forgiveness only, or any one species, but with all the instances of mercy. Nor doth it at all interfere with His constancy and justice, because it always supposes conditions performed; at least in His foreknowledge, that His mercy will move us to repentance. Upon winch account His mercy is sometimes termed His justice. His mercy never obstructs His justice, but all His attributes are one simple essence, and proceed in an eternal and unchangeable method. Learn that if the mercies of God toward us are so great, we ought to be tender and compassionate one towards another. (Samuel Prat, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 16. I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies] Before, he came to them in judgments; and the principal mercy is, the house of the Lord shall be rebuilt, and the ordinances of’ the Lord re-established.
And a line shall be stretched forth] The circuit shall be determined, and the city built according to the line marked out.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Therefore; because the enemy hath so barbarously and inhumanly added affliction to the afflicted, it is time to save and relieve.
I am returned: when I was departed, and had withdrawn my presence, thus cruelly were my people handled; but now I will return, I will be with them, my presence shall restrain the violent and protect the innocent.
With mercies; with tender, abundant, and promised mercies now they shall be comforted indeed.
My house; the temple of God, the excellency of Jacob.
Shall be built in it; shall be finished, the impediments shall be removed, what glory I have promised by Hag 2:9, I will put upon this house of mine in Jerusalem.
Saith the Lord of hosts: this confirms the promise, and establisheth our faith, if we know the import hereof.
A line, the builders measuring line, shall be stretched out, to mark out walls, gates, palaces, streets, and houses in Jerusalem, that they may be built again in beauty and strength, with skill and art; and shall be once more the glory of the earth, and joy of Israel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. I am returnedwhereas inanger I had before withdrawn from her (Ho5:15).
with merciesnot merelyof one kind, nor once only, but repeated mercies.
my house shall be builtwhichat this time (the second year of Darius, Zec1:1) had only its foundations laid (Hag2:18). It was not completed till the sixth year of Darius (Ezr6:15).
line (Job38:5). The measuring-line for building, not hastily, but withmeasured regularity. Not only the temple, but Jerusalem alsowas to be rebuilt (Ne 2:3, c.compare Zec 2:1; Zec 2:2).Also, as to the future temple and city, Eze 41:3;Eze 42:1-44; Eze 45:6.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies,…. Having returned the people of the Jews from their captivity to Jerusalem, in which he had shown abundant mercy to them:
my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts; meaning the temple where he dwelt and was worshipped; the foundation of which had been laid two months before this prophecy was delivered, Hag 2:18 and which should be raised up and finished, notwithstanding all the opposition of the enemy, and the discouragements of the people:
and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem; to measure with it, and build by it, the wall, streets, and houses of Jerusalem. The meaning is, that not only the temple should be built, but the city likewise, and that in great order, and with great exactness and symmetry; see Zec 2:1. The Targum paraphrases it, “upon the building of the walls of Jerusalem”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This is a confirmation of the last prophecy, — that God purposed to put an end to his chastisement, as it is said by Isaiah, “They have received at Jehovah’s hand double for all their sins.” For in these words God reminds us that he was satisfied with the punishment he had inflicted on his people, like a father, who thinks that he had been sufficiently severe and rigid in punishing his son. So now, Thus saith Jehovah, I have returned to Jerusalem in mercies: for it was necessary to give the people the hope of pardon and reconciliation, that they might look forward with confidence. Hypocrites very quickly raise up their crests as soon as a kind word is addressed to them; but the faithful, being conscious of what is wrong, and having their sins before their eyes, do not so easily take courage; nor can they do so, until they are convinced that their sins are buried, and that they themselves are freed from guilt. Hence the Prophet says, that God had turned to Jerusalem, that the Jews might know that the punishment with which God had visited them was to be only for a time.
But in the meantime he exhorts them to humility: for the people could not from this prophecy entertain any hope, except they duly considered that they had suffered justly, because they had provoked God’s wrath. Hence the Prophet reminds them that what they had hitherto endured was to be imputed to their sins; but that God yet intended to treat them in a paternal manner; for, as I have already stated, he had promised that his mercy towards his elect and faithful would be perpetual. Hence he says, that he had returned in mercies to Jerusalem
He then adds, My house shall be built in it; and over Jerusalem shall a line be stretched forth. Line, קוה, kue, is to be taken for a perpendicular line, as in Isa 28:17, and in other places. There is here an addition of ה, he, for as it has been elsewhere said, the language had become somewhat degenerated. The import of the whole is, that there was a hope of the temple and of the city being built, because God had returned into favor with the people. There are then two things to be noticed, — that God was now pacified towards Jerusalem, — and that the fruit of reconciliation would be the building of the temple, the establishment of divine worship and of the dignity of the kingdom. The Prophet teaches us at the same time, that the building of the temple was not to be expected but as an instance of God’s gratuitous favor, so that the Jews might know that every hope would have been cut off, had not God been pleased to abolish their guilt.
This doctrine ought also to be extended to the state of the Church at all times: for whence comes it that the Church remains safe in the world? Nay, how is it that it sometimes increases, except that God indulges us according to his infinite goodness? For we cease not daily to provoke him, and deserve to be wholly exterminated from the world. There would then be no Church, were not God to preserve it in a wonderful manner through his goodness and mercies, and also to restore it when it seems to have wholly fallen. He at length adds —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) A line.To measure, and mark out its confines. (Comp. Zec. 2:1-2.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Therefore Because Jehovah is jealous for Jerusalem and angry with the nations.
I am returned to Jerusalem The tense is to be understood as a perfect of prophetic certainty. The return is not yet accomplished.
With mercies Or, compassion. Not with judgments or wrath as in the past.
16b and 17 describe the consequences of the divine return.
My house shall be built So long as the temple remains uncompleted Jehovah can have no permanent abiding place in the city. It was completed and dedicated in 516.
A line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem Not only the temple but the city also will be rebuilt. The line is the measuring line which is used to mark off the space on which the city is to stand, and the plan according to which it is to be built (Zec 2:2; Jer 31:39). But the blessing will not stop with the rebuilding of the city; the whole land will feel the benefits of Jehovah’s return to Zion.
Cry yet R.V. adds “again.” A new phase of the divine blessing is to be announced.
My cities The cities scattered throughout the land of Jehovah, that is, through Judah.
Through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad P.V., “shall yet overflow with prosperity.” The latter is to be preferred. The verb occurs with the same meaning in Pro 5:16 (not so in Zec 13:7). At present there is distress everywhere; but when Jehovah returns to his own all will be prosperity (Jer 33:12-13). 17b returns to Jerusalem; it will be the center of the divine government in the period of restoration. There is no ground for despair; Jehovah will yet comfort Zion (see on Zec 1:13); LXX. seems to have read a different verb, “will have mercy.”
Choose As his royal residence (compare Zec 2:12; Zec 3:2).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Zec 1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
Ver. 16. Therefore thus saith the Lord ] Thus, one deep calleth another, Psa 42:7 ; the lower deep of our misery, the higher deep of God’s mercy. As Croesus’ dumb son burst out into, Kill not King Croesus; so, when enemies are ready to devour the Church, God’s bowels work; he can hold no longer, but cries, Save my child, handle the young man gently for my sake: see Jer 31:20 Isa 57:16 “I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me,” &c.; when the child swoons in the whipping God lets fall the rod, and falls a kissing it, to fetch life into it again. A physician, in some cases, purgeth his patient till nothing be left almost but skin and bone; or bloodeth him, ad deliquium animae, till he faint and sink, but yet his care is still to maintain nature; so this heavenly Father and Physician is careful to keep up the spirits of his suffering saints by comforts and cordials, as here:
I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies
Behold, I am returned to Jerusalem with many mercies, saith God
My house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem] That is, both Church and State shall flourish. God will both do good in his good pleasure unto Zion; he will also build the walls of Jerusalem, Psa 51:18 ; but mark that he saith in his good pleasure, as here in tender mercies; to teach us that all the good we enjoy is merely of mercy, it is all of free grace; for otherwise there should not be so much as any face of Church or commonwealth, as we see in the Jews at this day; a miserable dejected people, because Loruhamah, such as have not obtained mercy, Hos 1:8 . Their ancestors acknowledged, with all thankfulness for so undeserved a favour, that except the Lord of hosts had left unto them a very small remnant, they should have been as Sodom, and like unto Gomorrah, Isa 1:9 . Had not the angels laid hold upon Lot’s hand and the good Lord been merciful unto him, Gen 19:16 , he also had perished among those sinners against their own souls. Joshua was “a brand plucked out of the fire,” Zec 3:2 . And when one said to Mr Bradford the martyr, God hath done much for you since I first knew you, and hath wrought wondrously in you to his glory; he thus answered, Truth it is, for he hath dealt favourably with me, in that he hath not punished me according to my sins, but hath suffered me to live that I might seek repentance (Acts and Mon. 1473). “Thou hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve,” saith Ezra, Ezr 9:13 . And “it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,” saith the Church, “because his compassions fail not,” Lam 3:22 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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 Zec 2:1, Zec 2:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I am: Zec 2:10, Zec 2:11, Zec 8:3, Isa 12:1, Isa 54:8-10, Jer 31:22-25, Jer 33:10-12, Eze 37:24-28, Eze 39:25-29, Eze 48:35
my house: Zec 4:9, Ezr 6:14, Ezr 6:15, Isa 44:26-28, Hag 1:14
and: Zec 2:1, Zec 2:2, Job 38:5, Isa 34:11, Jer 31:39, Jer 31:40, Eze 40:3, Eze 47:3
Reciprocal: 1Ki 8:49 – cause 2Ki 21:13 – I will stretch 2Ch 6:39 – cause Psa 85:1 – Lord Psa 90:13 – Return Pro 24:18 – and he Isa 21:2 – all the Isa 30:19 – dwell Jer 30:18 – the palace Jer 50:33 – and all Lam 3:35 – turn Hos 3:1 – according Zec 2:8 – After Zec 12:6 – Jerusalem shall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zec 1:16. For the enconragement of the dejected people, the Lord gave the assurance that the holy house would be built in Jerusalem. Line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. The first word is from QAV which Strong defines. “Accord (as connecting), especially for measuring: figuratively a rule.” The passage shows not only that the city would be rebuilt, but that it would be done accurately and scientifically.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I have returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line {p} shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
(p) To measure out the buildings.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. The oracle about God’s jealousy for Israel 1:16-17
This is the first of four oracles that appear within the visions that Zechariah saw. These were messages that the prophet was to deliver along with the revelation of the vision.
"The vision had lifted the veil which hides the unseen, spiritual world to show that God is in control and active in the earth, but it would not have been of specific comfort without the message in words given by the interpreting angel (Zec 1:14-17). This oracle is essential to elucidate the implications of the vision." [Note: Ibid., p. 98. She understood the oracle as beginning with Zec 1:14.]
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Because the people of Jerusalem had experienced so much hostility the Lord promised to return to them and show them compassion. The sovereign Lord promised that the temple would be rebuilt there, and the city again would become a viable entity. The Jews finished the temple in 515 B.C., but the city walls were not complete until 444 B.C. (Neh 7:4; Neh 11:1). Measuring the city pictures its expanded restoration (cf. Jer 31:38-40), the measuring line being a construction tool. [Note: See Baruch Halpern, "The Ritual Background of Zechariah’s Temple Song," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 40 (1978):178, n. 51.]