Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 2:13
Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
13. be silent ] Comp. Hab 2:20; Zep 1:7.
raised up ] waked up. R. V.
his holy habitation ] From heaven, “the habitation of His holiness” (Deu 26:15; Jer 25:30), where He had seemed to dwell, far off from the affairs of earth, Jehovah should arise, or awake, and come forth to judgment, to succour His people and discomfit His enemies. Let all flesh be hushed before Him in awful silence.
The Fourth Vision. Joshua the High Priest before the Angel of Jehovah, Zec 3:1-10. The former visions had foretold that the “rest” of the nations should be disturbed (Zec 1:8-17), that the enemies of Israel should be “cast out” (Zec 1:18-21), and that Jerusalem should become the habitation of Jehovah (Zec 2:1-13). But in order to the fulfilment of these promises, there must be a moral and spiritual reformation of the people. With this the next vision is concerned. Judgment begins at the house of God (comp. Mal 3:3). The prophet sees Joshua the High Priest, the representative not only of the whole priesthood, but also of the entire nation, standing before the Angel of the Lord. At his right hand stands the Adversary, to play an adversary’s part against him (Zec 2:1). But before the charge can be preferred, Jehovah Himself interposes and rebukes the Adversary. Would the same hand, He asks, that had plucked from the fire the brand, charred, blackened and half-consumed already, cast it back again into the flames? And should He, who had delivered the remnant of His people from the furnace of Babylon, now listen to the charges of the accuser and yield them again to destruction? (Zec 2:2.) Doubtless, matter of accusation is not wanting. The very garb of Joshua testifies against him. Instead of the pure white linen in which the High Priest should have been arrayed, he is “clothed with filthy garments” (Zec 2:3). But this obstacle shall by an act of mere grace be removed. The angel attendants are commanded to take away his filthy garments; while their action is interpreted to him by the assurance that his iniquity is put away, and the promise of pure raiment is given him (Zec 2:4). At the instance of the prophet, who would fain see God’s High Priest arrayed in the complete attire of his office, a fair mitre is added. The angel of Jehovah stands by to seal by his presence and approval the transaction (Zec 2:5). Nor does he quit the scene till he has revealed to Joshua the full dignity of the priesthood to which he is now restored. As exercised by himself and his successors, it shall, while it moves in the ways of holy obedience in the restored Temple on earth, move also in spirit among the heavenly ministrations of angels (Zec 2:6-7). But it shall furthermore, by virtue of its typical character, foreshadow and prepare the way for Him who, Himself its chief cornerstone, shall rear the true Temple on which the eyes of Jehovah are fixed (Zec 2:8-9), who by one act shall remove iniquity for ever (Zec 2:9), and restore prosperity and festal joy to man (Zec 2:10).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Be silent – Literally, hush all flesh, before the Lord (see at Hab 2:20, p. 207); man in his weakness Gen 6:3; 2Ch 32:8; Job 10:4; Psa 56:4; Psa 78:39; Isa 31:3; Jer 17:5, flesh and blood in the language of the New Testament Mat 16:17; 1Co 15:50; Gal 1:16, before God his Maker. All flesh, the whole human race Gen 6:12; Psa 65:3; Psa 145:21; Isa 40:5-6; Isa 49:26; Isa 66:23; Joe 3:1; Eze 21:4, Eze 21:9-10, is to be hushed before God, because His judgments, as His mercies, are over all.
For God ariseth – God seemeth to be quiescent, as it were, when He bears with us; to arise, when He puts forth His power, either for us, when we pray, Lord, awake to help me (Psa 59:4, add Psa 7:7; Psa 44:24); or in displeasure. His holy habitation is alike the tabernacle 1Sa 2:29, 1Sa 2:32; Psa 26:9; Psa 68:6, temple 2Ch 36:15, heaven Deu 26:15; Jer 25:30; 2Ch 30:27, since His presence is in all.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Zec 2:13
Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord, for He is raised up out of His holy habitation
Flesh silenced by Gods arising
1.
The vision itself. The man with a line in his hand.
2. The interpretation of the vision. Jerusalem shall be built, and the city shall be inhabited.
3. A threefold apostrophe that the Lord infers from this–
(1) Directed to the Jews that yet continued in Babylon. The Lord calls them. It is barrenness and lowness of spirit not to accept deliverance. Deliver thyself.
(2) The news is to the enemies that were their neighbours.
(3) To both. Let the enemies silence their murmurings, silence their slanders. Let the saints silence their frettings, silence their doubtings. In the words of text are two things.
I. A proposition. The Lord is raised up out of His holy habitation. The expression habitation of His holiness is used two ways in Scripture. It is sometimes put for heaven; sometimes for the temple, the place of Gods presence among His people, manifested in ordinances. How is God said to be raised up? It is such a rising as is after an awaking out of sleep. But how can God be said to sleep? The cessation of acts of providence is Gods sleep. The putting of them forth is Gods arising, awaking. The meaning of the sentence is this,–When the Lord doth appear for His people as a return of their prayers, when the Lord ariseth gloriously for them, for their deliverance, and their enemies overthrow, then it is said, The Lord is raised up out of His holy habitation. Two observations–The great comfort of the saints in all their straits and difficulties lies in this, when they see God ariseth for them. Experiments of Gods rising in acts of providence are great grounds to His people to stay their faith, that God will go on, He will bring His work to perfection. Open this under three heads–
1. There is a time when God seems to sleep.
2. The great labour of the saints in all their straits is to awaken God, that God may arise. We knock at heavens gate; we environ God; beleaguer God by our prayers; we as it were wrest mercy out of His hands.
3. The consolations of the saints must needs be very great from the arisings of God for them in His providential dealings. When the Lord doth arise, whatsoever standeth in opposition must fall. When God ariseth, He overruleth the spirits of men, so as they shall effect and accomplish the end. When God ariseth, He hath abundance rise with Him. When, by our spiritual eyes, can we discern that God is raised up?
1. Prayer is Gods way by which He is raised up.
2. When the Lord defeateth the counsels of the enemy, turns their plots upon their heads.
3. When the Lord takes away the heart of His enemies.
4. When the Lord acteth the spirits of His people unto high and noble and invincible resolutions.
5. When the Lord goes on in ways of mercy, and draws out His loving kindness. The experiments (experiences) which the saints have of the rising of God are a sure pledge to their faith that He will go on; He will not leave the work till He hath brought it to perfection. The inference is,–then be silent all flesh before Him. Some men keep silence in policy, because they would not discover themselves till a convenient time. But all the people of God that would approve themselves, must keep silence in duty. There is a silence of shame, and a silence of fear and astonishment. The Lord says to these Jews, silence your doubtings, and silence your frettings. (W. Strong.)
God raised up out of His holy habitation
I. The sense of the phrase. Expressions concerning the locality o! the Divine presence arose out of the circumstances of His dwelling in the tabernacle of Moses; of His resting when the camp rested, and marching before them when they advanced. When God thus arose, He came forth from His holy habitation. When God is spoken of in human language, local and bodily ideas must enter into it. The conception of our minds, as to the operations of God, are aided by such phraseology. It may be applied generally to the dispensations of providence. When wickedness prevails, when error spreads, when the Church is wasted, then the Almighty is represented as shutting His eyes, turning away His face, withholding His hand, and resting in His holy place. But when He makes Himself manifest in judgment or mercy, when He has nations to punish or to bless, when His Church calls for protection and help, then He is raised up out of His holy habitation, and all flesh is commanded to keep silence before Him.
II. The occasions which procure this interposition of God.
1. He is raised up by the incorrigible vices of men. When wickedness abounds, for a time He appears to disregard it, or He interposes by gentle corrections; but there is a limit to His patience and forbearance.
2. Pride and oppression raise Him up out of His habitation. Those kingdoms that walk in pride He will abase. Every power that is opposed to the laws of God must be overthrown; and the more proud and oppressive it is, the more certain, speedy, and marked is its downfall.
3. God is raised up for the manifestation of His truth. To every people God originally gave a saving system, and all nations might have preserved it. That they have not, is a proof of human depravity. Had it not been for special interpositions from God, the truth would have wholly perished; and with it all the hopes of the world must have ended forever. Here is the mercy of God.
4. God is raised up by the prayers of His saints. Prayer moves Him that moves the universe. Everything encourages prayer. That which is our privilege is made our duty. You know the efficacy of prayer. It is prayer that calls down His visitations, interests Him in your cause, and secures to you grace to help in every time of need. Nor less essentially is it connected with every plan for the spread of His Gospel, and the prosperity of His Church.
5. The performance of His promise to Messiah raises God up from His holy habitation. He had said, I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance. This decree is not yet fully accomplished. God has been raised up partly to accomplish it; but He will ere long put forth His power in a still more glorious manner. Even now is He raised up for this purpose.
III. The impression these extraordinary dispensations should make. Silence is commanded; but silence in such a case is the result of powerful mental impression.
1. It is the effect of deep and intense interest.
2. Reproof produces silence.
3. Satisfaction produces silence. All flesh, as well as the Church, is commanded to keep silence before God.
IV. But is the whole to issue in emotion? Certainly not. God is raised up out of His place, to raise us up from ours. We are to be fellow helpers to the truth. It is our encouragement that God is raised up out of His holy habitation; and this will render us inexcusable if we refuse to cooperate. If God is thus raised up, we have many encouragements to exertion. We have the Divine sanction. Prayer must be heard. We shall not want cooperation. We cannot want success. We shall be inexcusable, if we refuse to espouse His cause. (R. Watson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. Be silent, O all flesh] Let all the nations of the world be astonished at this. God will arise, and deliver this ancient people, and bring them into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Be silent; murmur not, you that love not Zion; dispute not, you that, think these promises are too good, too great; but, in silence, reverence and adore God in all his excellences and ways; wait, and expect the accomplishment of all by him who never utters more than he can and will do for his people. O all flesh; both Jew and Gentile; you are weak, short-sighted, and worthless; you are flesh, be silent and wait.
Before the Lord; the wise, mighty, gracious, and faithful One; who never suffered a word of his to fall unfulfilled, nor will let any of these promises to fail.
He is raised up: he speaks to our capacity; God is said to be raised in allusion to men who get up, or rise up, and set about what they will do; so here God is on this work already.
Out of his holy habitation; either heaven, or his temple.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. Be silent, O all flesh(Hab 2:20). “Let all insilent awe and reverence await the Lord’s coming interposition inbehalf of His people!” The address is both to the Gentile foes,who prided themselves on their power as if irresistible, and to theunbelieving Jews, who distrusted God’s promises as incredible. Threereasons why they must be silent are implied: (1) they are but”flesh,” weak and ignorant; (2) He is JEHOVAH,all-wise and all-powerful; (3) He is already “raised up out ofHis place,” and who can stand before Him? [PEMBELLUS],(Psa 76:8; Psa 76:9).
he is raised up out of hisholy habitationthat is, out of heaven (Deu 26:15;2Ch 30:27; Isa 63:15),to judge and avenge His people (Isa26:21); or, “out of His holy” temple,contemptible and incomplete as it looked then when Zechariah urgedthem to rebuild it [CALVIN].But the call to all to “be silent” is rather when God hascome forth from heaven where so long He has dwelt unseen, and isabout to inflict vengeance on the foe, before taking up Hisdwelling in Zion and the temple. However, Psa 50:1;Psa 50:2 (“Out of Zion”),Ps 50:3 (compare Hab2:3), Ps 50:4, favorsCALVIN’S view. God is now”silent” while the Gentile foe speaks arrogance against Hispeople; but “our God shall come and no longer keep silence“;then in turn must all flesh “be silent” before Him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord,…. Be filled with fear, awe, and astonishment, at the wonderful work of God; the destruction of antichrist; the conversion of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles: let them not open their mouths, or dare to say one word against it. The Targum interprets the words of the wicked, and paraphrases them thus,
“let all the wicked be consumed before the Lord;”
see Ps 104:35 and it seems to design the rest of the people, who will not be converted; called flesh, being not only frail and mortal, but corrupt and sinful; and so not able to contend with God, who is mighty in strength, and glorious in holiness, and a God doing wonders. A like phrase is in Hab 2:20:
for he is raised up out of his holy habitation: which is heaven,
Isa 63:15 where he seemed to have been as it were asleep for many hundreds of years, even during the reign of antichrist; but now he will be as a man awaked out of his sleep, and will arise to take vengeance on his and his church’s enemies, and to help them, and make them happy and glorious.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here is a sealing of the whole prophecy. The Prophet highly extols the power of God, that the Jews might not still doubt or fear as with regard to things uncertain. He says that whatever he had hitherto declared was indubitable; for God would put forth his power to succor his Church and to remove whatever hindrance there might be. We have seen similar expressions elsewhere, that is, in the second chapter of Habakkuk and in the first of Zephaniah; (Hab 2:1 Zep 1:1) and these Prophets had nearly the same object in view; for Habakkuk, after having spoken of the restoration of the people, thus concludes, — that God was coming forth to bid silence to all nations, that no one might dare to oppose when it was his will to redeem his Church. So also Zephaniah, after having, described the slaughter of God’s enemies, when God ordered sacrifices to be made to him as it were from the whole world, uses the same mode of expression, as though he had said, that there would be nothing to resist the power of God. It is the same here, Silent, he says, let all flesh be before Jehovah. It is, in short, the shout of triumph, by which Zechariah exults over all the enemies of the Church, and shows that they would rage in vain, as they could effect nothing, however clamorous they might be.
By silence we are to understand, as elsewhere observed, submission. The ungodly are not indeed silent before God, so as willingly to obey his word, or reverently to receive what he may bid or command, or humbly to submit under his powerful hand; for these things are done only by the faithful. Silence, then, is what especially belongs to the elect and the faithful; for they willingly close their mouth to hear God speaking. But the ungodly are also said to be silent, when God restrains their madness: and how much soever they may inwardly murmur and rage, they yet cannot openly resist; so that he completes his work, and they are at length made ashamed of the swelling, words they have vomited forth, when they pass off in smoke. This is the sense in which the Prophet says now, silent be all flesh. He means, in short, by these words, That when God shall go forth to deliver his Church, he will be terrible; so that all who had before furiously assailed his chosen people, shall be constrained to tremble.
With regard to the habitation of holiness, I explain it of the temple rather than of heaven. I indeed allow that heaven is often thus called in Scripture: and it is called the palace or temple of God, for we cannot think as we ought of God’s infinite glory, except we are carried above the world. This is the reason why God says that he dwells in heaven. But as the Church is spoken of here, Zechariah, I doubt not, means the temple. It is indeed certain that there was no temple when God began to rise as one awakened from sleep, to restore his people: but as the faithful are said in Psa 102:0 to pity the dust of Sion, because the place continued sacred even in its degradation and ruin; so also in this passage Zechariah says, that God was roused — Whence? from Sion, from that despised place, exposed to the derision of the ungodly: yet there God continued to dwell, that he might build again the temple, where his name was to be invoked until Christ appeared. We now see that the temple or Sion is intended rather than heaven, when all circumstances are duly weighed. Now follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) Be silent.Better, Hush! (Comp. Hab. 2:20.)
Raised.Better, roused. The figure is that of a lion roused up from its lair. (Comp. the still bolder metaphor of Psa. 78:65.) LXX. misread the word for habitation, which they render correctly elsewhere, and give , from His holy clouds.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
BLESSED Lord Jesus! do I not behold thee in many of the precious things spoken of in this Chapter? Truly, Lord, it was said by thee, that Jehovah thy Father possessed thee in the beginning of his way, before his works of old; and that then thou wast set up from everlasting! And was it not, dearest Lord, as the Covenant Head of thy Church and People? Were not thy delights then with the sons of men, in this gracious Character? And when Zechariah beheld a man, as is here described, with a line to measure Jerusalem, was it not thou, O Lord, showing to thy Church thereby, that thou knewest not only the dimensions of thy Church and Temple, but all the chosen polished stones of it, the members of thy mystical body, whose names are written in the book of life? And who but Jesus is a wall of fire to his people, and a glory in the midst of them? To whom is the Church dear, and like the tender apple of a man’s eye; but to Him that hath died for his Church, bled for his Church, is everlastingly interceding for his Church, and will not consider himself fully glorious until the whole Church is brought around him in glory? Who can be said to dwell in the midst of his people, or who is the Lord’s portion, but Israel the lot of his inheritance? Precious Lord Jesus! do I not behold thee, my risen, exalted, and glorified Saviour; do I not behold thee in all these, and a thousand other endearing instances, of thine unequalled love to thy redeemed, and thereby proving that thou art indeed our Lord, and that the Lord of hosts hath sent thee unto thy people? Almighty Jesus! carry on, and finish, in thine own time, all thy blessed purposes yet to be accomplished. Cause many nations to come to thy rising! Bring home thy redeemed ones, thine ancient people the Jews, and let the fulness of the Gentiles be completed. And oh! thou sovereign Lord God! when that great day of thine shall come, and thy feet shall again stand on Mount Olivet; then will the whole earth be silent in one universal act of wonder, love, and praise! Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Zec 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Ver. 13. Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord ] Heb. Peace and be still, as our Saviour once said to the raging sea, Mar 4:39 , whereupon the wind ceased (which before had blown and blustered till it was weary again, as the Greek word there importeth) and there was a great calm, all was suddenly hushed, and silent ( ). The enemies of the Church are no less brutish and boisterous than the fierce winds and waves ( ), Psa 107:25-27 . But God, who sets a bound to the mighty waters which they may not pass, Psa 104:9 , he also restraineth the remainder of man’s wrath, Psa 76:10 . If he do but (as the Roman tribune was wont to do) interpose his veto. If he do but say (st) Be silent, O all flesh, , plot not, prate not, practise not against my people, who dare quatch in his presence, or gainstand his commands ( )? Who art thou, O man, that chattest against God? saith Paul, Rom 9:20 “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without wisdom?” saith God to Job, Job 38:2 . How now? Let all flesh be silent. Let God be justified, and every mouth stopped. Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked (whether they will or no) shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. “The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them,” saith holy Hannah, 1Sa 2:3 ; 1Sa 2:9-10 . And then they shall be glad to be quiet, and to save themselves as they can; like as the worms when it thunders wriggle into the corners of the earth; and as Caligula (that bold miscreant that dared his Jove to a duel), when it thundered, covered his eyes with his cap, running under the bed, or any bench hole (Sueton.).
O all flesh
Who is now also already raised up
Out of his holy habitation
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Zec 2:13
13Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.
Zec 2:13 Be silent This is an INTERJECTION (BDB 245), not a VERB (cf. Hab 2:20; Zep 1:7). The VERB form is found in Neh 8:11.
all flesh Here is that universal element again (cf. Zec 2:11).
for He is aroused from His holy habitation God has seemed to be inactive (i.e., asleep, BDB 734, cf. Zec 4:1) during the period of the seventy year judgment, but that time has ended and YHWH emerges from His heavenly throne room (cf. Deu 26:15; Isa 63:15; Jer 25:30) to act on behalf of His people and all people!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Does this chapter relate to Zechariah’s day or another? Why?
2. To whom is the Me of Zec 2:8-9; Zec 2:11 referring?
3. What is the meaning of Zec 2:8?
4. Why is Zec 2:11 so significant?
5. How does this chapter relate to Revelation 21?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Be silent, &c. Compare Hab 2:20. Zep 1:7.
is raised up = hath roused Himself up. Compare Psa 78:65.
His holy habitation. Reference to Pentateuch (Deu 26:15)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Be: Psa 46:10, Hab 2:20, Zep 1:7, Rom 3:19, Rom 9:20
for: Psa 68:5, Psa 78:65, Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21, Isa 42:13-15, Isa 51:9, Isa 57:5, Zep 3:8
his holy habitation: Heb. the habitation of his holiness, Deu 26:15, 2Ch 30:27, *marg. Psa 11:4, Psa 68:5, Isa 57:15, Isa 63:15, Jer 25:30
Reciprocal: Jos 10:12 – stand thou Job 31:14 – What then Job 40:4 – I will Psa 76:8 – still Isa 40:5 – all flesh Isa 41:1 – silence Isa 47:5 – silent Isa 52:15 – kings Jer 8:14 – be silent Act 2:17 – all Rev 8:1 – silence
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zec 2:13. Be silent is a call for all to hear the word of God.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Zec 2:13. Be silent Reverence and adore God, and expect the accomplishment of his word. O all flesh Both Jews and Gentiles. He is raised up out of his holy habitation God is engaged in this work already, and will not rest till he has accomplished his whole work.