Bible Commentary

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem. 2. cup of trembling ] Rather, bowl of reeling. The word is used of the bowl or bason in which the blood of the Paschal lamb was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 12:2”

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 1. The burden ] See ch. Zec 9:1, note. for Israel ] Rather, concerning Israel. saith ] Rather, the saying, oracular utterance, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 12:1”

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. 17. idol shepherd ] Rather, worthless shepherd: lit. shepherd of nothingness, or worthlessness. Comp. “physicians of no value,” Job … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:17”

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, [which] shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 16. cut … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:16”

And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 15. the instruments of a foolish shepherd ] There is no reason to suppose that “the instruments,” the staff and scrip, of a foolish shepherd differed from those of a wise one, and so in themselves indicated his character. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:15”

Then I cut asunder mine other staff, [even] Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 14. I cut asunder mine other staff ] to signify both the completion of the rupture between the shepherd and the flock, with which he had now nothing more whatever to do, and also the second … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:14”

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 13. Cast it ] “as a thing vile and rejected, as torn flesh was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:13”

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give [me] my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty [pieces] of silver. 12. price ] Rather, wages, or hire, R. V. This demand is made by the prophet not “in order to try whether the people would submit themselves further … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:12”

And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it [was] the word of the LORD. 11. it was broken ] i.e. the covenant. the poor of the flock ] “The rest were blinded: those who listened to God’s word, observed His prophet, waited … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:11”

And I took my staff, [even] Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 10. the people ] Lit. the peoples. This may mean either (1) the nations of the earth, in which case the sense will be that the prosperity which the shepherd … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 11:10”