Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 12:3
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
3. a burdensome stone ] because, as it immediately follows, it proves too heavy for every one who attempts to lift it, and slipping from his grasp wounds and lacerates him. There may possibly be a reference to the custom, if indeed it existed so early as the time of Zechariah, which Jerome describes as prevailing in Palestine in his days. “It is the custom,” he says, “in the cities of Palestine, and to the present day throughout all Juda the ancient practice is observed, that in villages, towns and forts round stones of very great weight are placed, at which the youth are wont to exercise themselves, and according to their differing strength to lift them, some to the knees, others to the navel, others to the shoulders and head; some exhibiting the greatness of their strength, raise the weight above their head with both their hands straight up.”
cut in pieces ] sore wounded, R. V.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone to all nations – What is a stone to all nations? It is not a rock or anything in its own nature immovable, but a stone, a thing rolled up and down, moved, lifted, displaced, piled on others, in every way at the service and command of people, to do with it what they willed. So they thought of that stone cut out without hands Dan 2:45; that tried stone and sure foundation, laid in Zion Isa 28:16; that stone which, God said in Zechariah, I have laid Zec 3:9; of which our Lord says, the stone, which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner Luk 20:17; whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder Mat 21:44; Luk 20:18. The Church, built on the stone, seems a thing easily annihilated; ten persecutions in succession strove to efface it; Diocletian erected a monument, commemorating that the Christian name was blotted out . It survived; he perished.
The image may have been suggested by the custom, so widely prevailing in Judaea, of trying the relative strength of young men, by lifting round stones selected for that end .
Jerome: The meaning then is, I will place, Jerusalem to all nations like a very heavy stone to be lifted up. They will lift it up, and according to their varied strength, will waste it; but it must needs be, that, while it is lifted, in the very strain of lifting the weight, that most heavy stone should leave some scission or rasure on the bodies of those who lift it. Of the Church it may be interpreted thus; that all persecutors, who fought against the house of the Lord, are inebriated with that cup, which Jeremiah gives to all nations, to drink and be inebriated and fall and vomit and be mad. Whosoever would uplift the stone shall lift it, and in the anger of the Lord, whereby He chastens sinners, will hold it in his hands; but he himself will not go unpunished, the sword of the Lord fighting against him.
All that burden themselves with it will be cut to pieces – More exactly, scarified, lacerated; shall bear the scars. Though (rather, and) all the people (peoples, nations) of the earth shall be gathered together against it. The prophet marshals them all against Jerusalem, only to say how they should perish before it. So in Joel God says, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat , speaking of that last closing strife of antichrist against God. Wars against Israel had either been petty, though anti-theistic, wars of neighboring petty nations, pitting their false gods against the True, or one, though world-empire wielded by a single will. The more God made Himself known, the fiercer the opposition. The Gospel claiming obedience to the faith among all nations Rom 1:5, provoked universal rebellion. Herod and Pontius Pilate became friends through rejection of Christ; the Roman Caesar and the Persian Sapor, Goths and Vandals, at war with one another, were one in persecuting Christ and the Church. Yet in vain.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. A burdensome stone] Probably referring to that stone which was thrown on the breast of a culprit adjudged to lose his life by stoning, by which the whole region of the thorax, heart, lungs, liver, &c., was broken to pieces.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In that day; in the times of the heathens afflicting the church, from the repair of Jerusalem till Christs coming in the flesh, and in succeeding times since; but the day of the full accomplishment of this prophecy is a day known to the Lord. A burdensome stone; too heavy for them, though many join together to remove it.
For all people; though all people of this known world should burden themselves with her. Shall be cut in pieces: they would be crushed to pieces, as a man that falls under a weighty and massy stone.
Though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it: many nations have been confederate, now if you would suppose all through the whole world in league against Jerusalem, yet they could not stand under the weight of his displeasure, who is provoked by such attempts, he would grind them to powder.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. (Zec 14:4;Zec 14:6-9; Zec 14:13).JEROME states it was acustom in Palestine to test the strength of youths by their liftingup a massive stone; the phrase, “burden themselves with it,”refers to this custom. Compare Mt21:44: The Jews “fell” on the rock of offense, Messiah,and were “broken”; but the rock shall fall on Antichrist,who “burdens himself with it” by his assault on therestored Jews, and “grind him to powder.”
all . . . people of . . .earthThe Antichristian confederacy against the Jews shall bealmost universal.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people,…. The Targum renders it “a stone of offence”; at which they shall stumble and fall; but it seems to design the immovableness of the state and condition of Jerusalem, that those who attempt to remove her out of her place, or to make any alteration in her happy circumstances, will not be able to do it, Ps 125:1. Jerom makes mention of a custom in the cities of Palestine, and which continued to his times throughout all Judea, that large, huge, round stones, used to be placed in the towns and villages, which the youths exercised themselves with, by trying to lift them up as high as they could, by which they showed their strength; and the same ancient writer observes that a like custom obtained in Greece; for he says he himself saw in the tower at Athens, by the image of Minerva, a globe of brass, of at very great weight, which he, through the weakness of his body, could not move; and asking the meaning of it, he was told that the strength of wrestlers was tried by it; and no man might be admitted a combatant, until it was known, by the lifting up of that weight, with whom he should be matched; and the throwing of the “discus” was an ancient military exercise, as old as the times of Homer, who speaks z of it; and is mentioned by Latin writers, as appears from some lines of Martial a; see the Apocrypha:
“In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us,” (2 Maccabees 2:14)
and this, as it tried the strength of men, so it was sometimes dangerous to themselves, or to bystanders, lest it should fall upon their heads: and as it was usual to defend themselves and oppress enemies by casting stones at them, so young men used to exercise themselves by lifting up and casting large stones; to which Virgil b sometimes refers; and it is well known that Abimelech was killed even by a woman casting a piece of a millstone upon his head, Jud 9:53 and such heavy stones, and the lifting of them up, in order to cast them, may he alluded to here:
all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces; all that attempt to unsettle and remove it shall be pressed down with the weight of it, and be utterly destroyed: or, “shall be torn to pieces” c; as men’s hands are cut and torn with rough and heavy stones, The Targum is,
“all that injure her shall be consumed;”
which gives the sense of the passage:
though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it; so safe and secure will the people of God be; he being a wall of fire round about them, and the glory in the midst of them.
z Iliad. 2. 23. a “Splendida cum volitent Spartani pondera disci Este procul pueri sit se nel ille nocens.” —Epigr. l. 14. Ep. 157. b “Certabant Troes contra defendere saxis.” —Aeneid. l. 9. “Mijaculis, illi certent defendere saxis.” –Aeneid. l. 10. –Vid. Lydium de Re Militari, l. 5. c. 2. p. 178, 179. Menochium de Republica Hebr. l. 6. col. 555, 556. c “incidendo incidentur”, Montanus, Burkius “lacerando lacerabuntur”, Pagninus, Cocceius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Zechariah adds here another metaphor, which is very apposite; for when the ungodly made war against the holy city, the object was not to reduce it only to subjection, or to impose a tribute or a tax, or simply to rule over it, — what then? to cut it off entirely and obliterate its name. Since then such a cruelty would instigate enemies to assail the holy city, the Prophet here interposes and declares that it would be to them a most burdensome stone. He thus compares the enemies of Jerusalem to a man who attempts to take up a stone when he is too weak to do so. He then injures his own strength; for when a man tries to do what is too much for him, he loosens some of his joints, or breaks his sinews. The Prophet then means, that though many nations conspired against Jerusalem, and made every effort to overthrow it, they should yet at length find it to be a weight far too heavy for them: they should therefore break or lacerate their own arms, for their sinews would be broken by over-exertion. (154) Some explain the last clause more frigidly, “In tearing he will be torn,” as when any one takes up a rough stone, he tears his own hands. But the Prophet, I have no doubt, meant to set forth something more serious; and each clause would thus correspond much better; for as we have said, the object of the ungodly was to remove Jerusalem, so as not to leave a stone upon a stone: but God declares here that it would be too heavy a burden, so that they would find their own strength broken in attempting inconsiderately to remove what could not be transferred from its own place.
Now the reason for this prophecy is, because God was the founder of Jerusalem, as it is said,
“
Its foundations are in the holy mountains, love does the Lord the gates of Sion,” (Psa 87:1😉
and again it is said,
“
Jehovah in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.” (Psa 46:5.)
We must also remember what we have observed in the last verse: for though the heavens are in continual motion, they yet retain their positions, and do not fall into disorder; but were the heavens and the earth blended together, still Jerusalem, founded by God’s hand and exempt from the common lot of men, and whose condition was peculiar, would remain firm and unchangeable. We hence see why the Prophet says, that there would be no other issue to the ungodly, while attempting to overthrow Jerusalem, than to wound and tear themselves.
He then adds, And assemble against them shall all nations. This, as we have said, was added in order to show, that though enemies flocked together from every quarter, God would yet be superior to them. This clause then contains an amplification, to encourage the faithful to continue in their hope with invincible constancy, though they saw themselves surrounded by hosts of enemies. It afterwards follows —
(154) Literally it is, —
All her lifters, cut they shall be cut, or, wounded they shall be wounded.
The whole verse is as follows, —
And it shall be in that day, That I will make Jerusalem A burdensome stone to all nations; All her lifters, wounded they shall be wounded, When gathered against her Shall be all the people of the land.
—
Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
IN THAT DAY (1) . . . Zec. 12:3
RV . . . And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.
LXX . . . And it shall come to pass in that day that I will make Jerusalem a trodden stone to all the nations: every one that tramples on it shall utterly mock at it, and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it,
COMMENTS
The first statement of what will happen in that day is made briefly in Zec. 12:3. It introduces the time of Messiahs first coming, and is addressed to Israel (Zec. 12:1). Israel at the time of this writing could be none other than the faithful remnant among those Jews who had returned from exile.
In the time of Messiahs first coming, Jerusalem will be made a burdensome stone for all the peoples. This statement sets the stage for the struggle described in the next three verses.
Chapter XLIQuestions
In the First Day
1.
The future glory of the restored Jewish nation was delayed by their _________________.
2.
The key to the final chapters of Zechariah is found in the phrase _________________.
3.
This term describes two days which from Zechariahs point of view were both in _________________.
4.
The first of these days describes _________________.
5.
The second day describes _________________.
6.
Review the four characteristics of the day of Jehovah. (See introduction of Zechariah.)
7.
Zechariahs first use of in the day (Zec. 3:8-10) refers to _________________.
8.
What is the significance of the term Israel in Zec. 12:1?
9.
Why does Zechariah here refer to Jehovah as the creator of the heavens and the earth and the spirit of man?
10.
The first period referred to by in that day is addressed to
and has to do with _________________.
11.
The second period referred to as in that day has to do with _________________.
12. Several things are said to be going to happen in the Messianic age. Each is introduced by in that day. They are:
a.
In that day (1)
b.
In that day (2)
c.
In that day (3)
d.
In that day (4)
12.
e. In that day (5)
f.
In that day (6)
g.
In that day (7)
h.
In that day (8)
i.
In that day (9)
13.
Israel at the time of Zechariah could be none other than _________________.
14.
What of Jerusalem in the time of Messiahs first coming?
15.
What was to be the relationship of the Jews to all nations during the Messianic age?
16.
Historically the military action against which the Jews were least effective was the _________________.
17.
What is meant by Jehovah smiting the peoples and horses with blindness?
18.
Who are they of Jerusalem? (Zec. 12:1)
19.
How does Zec. 12:10 fix this section as being fulfilled in the Messianic age?
20.
Compare Zec. 12:10-14 with Joh. 19:34-37.
21.
What is the condition upon which Jews may again become part of Gods true Israel? (cf. Rom. 11:17-24)
22.
Conversion is always an _________________ experience.
23.
How was the mourning over Him who they had pierced fulfilled on Pentecost?
24.
Who are all the families that remain?
25.
In connection with the mourning over Him whom they pierced a ___________ was to be opened for ____________ and _____________.
26.
The _________________ opened the fountain.
27.
_________________ relates the fountain to sin.
28.
_________________ relates the fountain to moral impurity or _________________.
29.
_________________ is frequently associated with uncleanness.
30.
The _________________ is generally credited with ministering the coup de grace to classic idolatry.
31.
What prophecy is condemned during the Messianic age?
32.
How does Zec. 13:6 relate to Him whom they pierced?
33.
What is meant by the wounds between thine arms?
34.
Discuss Zechariah) Zec. 12:7 in light of Act. 2:23.
35.
What nation is symbolized historically by the sword?
36.
Jesus could be legally executed by _________________.
37.
Compare Zec. 13:7 to Mat. 26:31 and Mar. 14:27.
38.
Following the death of Jesus the number of His followers was about _________________.
39.
Compare Zec. 13:9 and 1Pe. 1:6-7.
40.
To those who endured persecution, Jehovah gives _________________ and _________________ they acknowledge
Both are _________________.
41.
The _____________ is Gods new Israel.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(3) A burdensome stone.In lifting which the builders might lacerate themselves: meaning that those who should endeavour to build Jerusalem into the fabric of their own dominion should injure themselves in the attempt. But some (as Jerome) suppose the figure to be borrowed from some such athletic sport as lifting the weight; while others take the expression in a more general sense, as referring merely to a weight which is too heavy to be borne.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Zec 12:3 reiterates in a different figure the thought of Zec 12:2, that Jerusalem will prove the destruction of the nations that attack it.
A burdensome stone Some see here an allusion to a custom spoken of by Jerome as existing in the cities of Palestine in his days. Young men were accustomed to test their strength by lifting and throwing heavy round stones. If the prophecy is as late as Marti would make it these practices may have been known in Jerusalem at the time (compare 2Ma 4:12-15 ), but if the prophecy is much older a Palestinian author could hardly have known them. Guided partly by a belief in an earlier date and partly by the fact that the stone in this passage is not a round stone, for the people will cut themselves on it, others believe that the author has in mind the use of stones in the erection of buildings. “In vain should all the nations round about seek to fit the stone Jerusalem into any of the political structures which they might seek to erect.” Whatever the basis of the figure, the prophet means to say that any attack upon Jerusalem will prove disastrous to those who undertake it.
All people Better, R.V., “all the peoples.” The surrounding nations (compare last clause, Zec 12:2; Zec 12:6).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Zec 12:3. A burdensome stone, &c. A stone of burden to all people: all that heave it, shall be crushed in pieces, &c. It was the custom among the inhabitants of Palestine, even in St. Jerom’s days, to place round stones of prodigious weight in their towns, villages, and castles, wherewith the youth used to exercise themselves, according to their different strength; some raising them as high as their knees, and others as high as their heads; which efforts frequently occasioned very dangerous accidents. It is to this custom that the prophet alludes here; and many think that it is one of this kind of stones which is mentioned 1Ki 1:9 and alluded to, Eccl’us, Sir 6:21.
All the people of the earth It is obvious, that by all is meant only many; as it is expressed, Eze 38:6; Eze 38:9; Eze 38:15. “Thou and many people with thee.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Ver. 3. I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone ] Such a stone as that wherewith the woman brake Abimelech’s brain pan, at the tower of Thebez, Jdg 9:53 . He had slain all his brethren upon one stone, Jdg 9:5 , he receives, therefore, his death’s wound by a stone; and that by the hand of a woman, which was his greatest grief. The like death befell Pyrrhus, King of Epirotes, slain at the siege of Argos, with a tile thrown by a woman from the wall. So was Earl Simon Mountfort, that bloody persecutor of the Albigenses in France. A woman discharged an engine at him from the walls of Toulouse, and by a stone parted his head from his shoulders. The virgin daughter of Zion shall do as much as all this comes to for her besiegers, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against her. For what reason? she hath a strong champion; that, in maintaining her quarrel, will dash them to pieces, and grind them to powder, Luk 20:18 . They are no more able to stand before him than a glass bottle before a cannon shot. Hence her confidence, her laughing and shaking her head by way of derision at her stoutest enemies, Isa 37:22 . She knows that all that burden themselves with her shall be cut in pieces. Haman’s wife could tell so much. If Mordecai, said she, be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him, Est 6:13 . A Jew may fall before a Persian, and get up and prevail; but if a Persian, or whosoever of the Gentiles, begin to fall before a Jew, he can neither stay nor rise. There is an invisible hand of omnipotence that strikes in for his own, and confounds their opposites. That little stone, cut out without hands (Christ’s human nature is called a tabernacle not made with hands, not of this building, Heb 9:11 , that is, not by an ordinary course of generation), smiteth the four mighty monarchies, and crumbleth them to crattle, Dan 2:34 . Jerome upon this text (and after him other interpreters, both ancient and modern) tell us that the Holy Ghost here alludeth to a certain exercise or game used much among the Jews, namely, to take up a great round stone for the trial of a man’s strength; lifting it up from the ground, sometimes to the knees, sometimes to their navels, sometimes to their breasts, and sometimes as high as their heads, or above their heads. At which sport many times they did grievously hurt themselves, or, at least, make cuts and scars in their flesh. See Lev 21:5 , where the same word is used. The Church’s enemies shall strive, and try who shall do her most harm; but the stoutest of them all shall be fooled and foiled in the end. The irreparable ruin of Rome is graphically described and even set forth to the eye Rev 18:21 by a notable gradation. An angel, a mighty angel, taketh a stone, a great stone, which he not only casteth, but thrusteth into the bottom of the sea, whence it cannot be buoyed up. This angel might well be Luther (with his book de Captivitate Babylonica; confer Jer 51:63 ), whom God strangely preserved from the rage of Rome and hell; like as he did from that deadly danger by the fall of a stone, whereof Mr Fox writeth thus: “Upon a time,” saith he, “when Luther was sitting in a certain place upon a stool studying, a great stone there was in the vault over his head where he sat; which being staid miraculously so long as he was sitting, as soon as he was up immediately fell upon the place where he sat, able to have crushed him in pieces, if it had lit upon him.” But no malice of man or devil could antedate his end a minute, while his Master had work for him to do; as the two witnesses could not be killed till their business was despatched, Rev 11:7 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
And = And it shall come to pass that in that day, &c.
a burdensome stone. A stone difficult to lift or to move; not a stone to throw. Occurs only here. burden, &c. i.e. seek to lift it.
cut in pieces = lacerated. Assyria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Egypt of old, and in later days Spain, Portugal. and Russia have been so lacerated on account of their treatment of the Jews.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Zec 12:3
IN THAT DAY (1) . . . Zec 12:3
The first statement of what will happen in that day is made briefly in Zec 12:3. It introduces the time of Messiahs first coming, and is addressed to Israel (Zec 12:1). Israel at the time of this writing could be none other than the faithful remnant among those Jews who had returned from exile. In the time of Messiahs first coming, Jerusalem will be made a burdensome stone for all the peoples. This statement sets the stage for the struggle described in the next three verses.
Zerr: Zec 12:3 is a general repetition of the preceding verse (see Zec 12:2).
Questions
In the First Day
1. The future glory of the restored Jewish nation was delayed by their _________________.
2. The key to the final chapters of Zechariah is found in the phrase _________________.
3. This term describes two days which from Zechariahs point of view were both in _________________.
4. The first of these days describes _________________.
5. The second day describes _________________.
6. Review the four characteristics of the day of Jehovah. (See introduction of Zechariah.)
7. Zechariahs first use of in the day (Zec 3:8-10) refers to _________________.
8. What is the significance of the term Israel in Zec 12:1?
9. Why does Zechariah here refer to Jehovah as the creator of the heavens and the earth and the spirit of man?
10. The first period referred to by in that day is addressed to and has to do with _________________.
11. The second period referred to as in that day has to do with _________________.
12. Several things are said to be going to happen in the Messianic age. Each is introduced by in that day. They are:
a. In that day (1)
b. In that day (2)
c. In that day (3)
d. In that day (4)
e. In that day (5)
f. In that day (6)
g. In that day (7)
h. In that day (8)
i. In that day (9)
13. Israel at the time of Zechariah could be none other than _________________.
14. What of Jerusalem in the time of Messiahs first coming?
15. What was to be the relationship of the Jews to all nations during the Messianic age?
16. Historically the military action against which the Jews were least effective was the _________________.
17. What is meant by Jehovah smiting the peoples and horses with blindness?
18. Who are they of Jerusalem? (Zec 12:1)
19. How does Zec 12:10 fix this section as being fulfilled in the Messianic age?
20. Compare Zec 12:10-14 with Joh 19:34-37.
21. What is the condition upon which Jews may again become part of Gods true Israel? (cf. Rom 11:17-24)
22. Conversion is always an _________________ experience.
23. How was the mourning over Him who they had pierced fulfilled on Pentecost?
24. Who are all the families that remain?
25. In connection with the mourning over Him whom they pierced a ___________ was to be opened for ____________ and _____________.
26. The _________________ opened the fountain.
27. _________________ relates the fountain to sin.
28. _________________ relates the fountain to moral impurity or _________________.
29. _________________ is frequently associated with uncleanness.
30. The _________________ is generally credited with ministering the coup de grace to classic idolatry.
31. What prophecy is condemned during the Messianic age?
32. How does Zec 13:6 relate to Him whom they pierced?
33. What is meant by the wounds between thine arms?
34. Discuss Zechariah) Zec 12:7 in light of Act 2:23.
35. What nation is symbolized historically by the sword?
36. Jesus could be legally executed by _________________.
37. Compare Zec 13:7 to Mat 26:31 and Mar 14:27.
38. Following the death of Jesus the number of His followers was about _________________.
39. Compare Zec 13:9 and 1Pe 1:6-7.
40. To those who endured persecution, Jehovah gives _________________ and _________________ they acknowledge. Both are _________________.
41. The _____________ is Gods new Israel.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
in that: Zec 12:4, Zec 12:6, Zec 12:8, Zec 12:9, Zec 12:11, Zec 2:8, Zec 2:9, Zec 10:3-5, Zec 13:1, Zec 14:2, Zec 14:3, Zec 14:4, Zec 14:6, Zec 14:8, Zec 14:9, Zec 14:13, Isa 60:12, Isa 66:14-16, Eze 38:1 – Eze 39:29, Joe 3:8-16, Oba 1:18, Mic 5:8, Mic 5:15, Mic 7:15-17, Hab 2:17, Zep 3:19, Hag 2:22
a burdensome: Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Mat 21:44, Luk 20:18
though: Zec 14:2, Zec 14:3, Mic 4:11-13, Rev 16:14, Rev 17:12-14, Rev 19:19-21, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:9
Reciprocal: Deu 30:7 – General 1Sa 5:8 – What shall 1Sa 17:36 – seeing Ezr 7:23 – why should there be wrath Est 6:13 – If Mordecai Psa 118:10 – All nations Psa 129:5 – be confounded Son 6:4 – terrible Isa 29:7 – the multitude Isa 41:11 – all they Isa 49:25 – I will contend Isa 54:15 – shall fall Jer 50:28 – to declare Jer 51:11 – the vengeance Dan 3:22 – slew Dan 11:32 – shall be Dan 12:1 – thy people Joe 3:2 – will plead Mic 2:13 – they have Mic 4:3 – and rebuke Zep 3:15 – he hath
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zec 12:3. This is a general repetition of the preceding verse.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Zec 12:3. I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone Jerusalem is here compared to a stone of great weight, which, being too heavy for those who attempted to lift it up, or remove it, falls back upon them and crushes them to pieces. St. Jerome, in a note on the place, speaks of an exercise, which, he says, was common in Palestine, and throughout all Judea, in his days, in which the young men, who were ambitious to show their strength, used to lift up stones of enormous weight, as high as they could, some to their knees, others to their navel, their shoulders, and even their heads; and some placed them on the top of their heads, with their hands erect and joined together. In this exercise, it is evident, they must have been in great danger of the stones falling upon them and bruising them, or even crushing them to pieces. Mr. Lowth, who quotes this passage from Jerome, remarks that, to the same sense, Christ saith, Mat 21:44, On whomsoever this stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder. All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces All that undertake to contend with Jerusalem shall be either destroyed or greatly injured, as men will have their flesh torn or bruised that let a heavy stone fall upon them. Though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it It is obvious, that by all, here is meant only many people, as it is expressed Eze 38:6; Eze 38:9; Eze 38:15, Thou, and many people with thee.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jerusalem would also be like a heavy stone "in that day" when the nations tried to carry it away; they would injure themselves when they tried to do so. In that day all the nations of the earth would gather together against Jerusalem (cf. Zec 14:2; Joe 3:9-16; Rev 16:16-21).
". . . even if all the peoples of the earth should attempt to conquer Jerusalem, they will turn away, bloodied by their futile efforts." [Note: McComiskey, p. 1210.]