Zechariah 1

The prophet exhorts the Jews to true repentance, that they may not incurre the like Judgement with their fathers, verse 1, c after that he describes two visions, the former of a man on a red horse, bringing newes that Jerusalem should be built again, 7. the latter, of four hornes and four smith, signifying, that the enemies of God’s people should be defeated, 18. c.

1. In the eighth moneth, [This was two moneths after that the prophet Haggai began to preach, Haggai 1:2.] in the second year of Darius, [the King of Parsia. See Ezra 4. on verse 24] the word of the Lord came to Zacharia, the son of Berechia [thus he is called in the Hebrew, but in the greek barachias. Some conceive, that is the same, of whom mention, Math. 22.35. Oth. Hold them to be distict persons. Compare 2 Chron. 24.2 with the annotate. See further of the persons named in this verse Ezra 5:1.] the son of Iddo the prophet [or of the prophet] saying.

2. The LORD hath been wroth against your fathers. [Hebr. Anger with anger, c]

3. Therefore say unto them, thus saith the Lord of hosts: turn again to me saith the LORD of hosts, so shall I turn again to you, saith the LORD of hosts. [God is said to turn himself to us, when he causeth us to finde and taste the fruit, or return of our prayer: we are said to turn to the LORD, when in true saith and unseigned repentance for our sins, we sue for mercie and favour to him. And ye we have not this from our selves: God must give it, as is express in Jeremie, chapter 31.18. LORD convert me, so shall I be converted.]

4. Be not as fathers [to wit, in impenitencie. See 2 Chro. 36.15, 16.] whom the former prophets called upon, [those namely, which prophesied before before the Babylonian Captivity] saying; thus saith the LORD of hosts, convert your selves from your evil dealings: but they hearkned not, and they lifted not unto me, [i.e. not to that which I cause to be delivered to them by the ministrie of my prophets] saith the LORD.

5. Your father where are they? [As if he said; though they be dead and gone, it behooves you notwithstanding to take warning by them. See 1 Cor. 10.5, 6.] and the prophets, shall they live for ever? [I.e always. Oth. Doth they live forever? He meanes to shew, though the former prophets be dead and out of the world, yet their prophesies remain alive still, see the next verse and compare. 2 Pet. 1.15. Oth. Read and interpret these words, as the objection and cavils of wicked men, thus but the prophets (those that took us up so) did they live always? What is become of them since; are they not dead and gone as well as others?]

6. Neverthelesse my words and my institutions, which I commanded my servants, [viz. to declare the same to such people and nations] have they not hit your fathers? [did not the Judgement denounced and threatened come upon your fathers? I think they found and felt it; and therefore ye ought to take heed how to tread in their footsteps] so that returning they said, even as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto as according to our dealings, so he hath done with us. [This they spake as convinced in their consciences, when the Lord punished them, as with other plagues and calamities, so especially with the Babylonian Captivity, wherewith he had often threatened them. Compare Psalms 106:6.]

7. On the four and twentieth day of the eleventh moneth, (this is the moneth Schebat) [Answering mostly with our January, as having the moon that falls partly in January, and partly in February; insomuch, that this prophesie followed about three moneth after the former] in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came unto Zacharia, the son of Berch-ia, [Hebr. Berech-jebu] the son of Iddo the Prophet saying.

8. I saw by night, and behold, a man riding, [This was the son of God in the shape of a man: yet others think it was a created angel. Christ did other whiles take a humane shape upon him for a short time; as Daniel 7:13. Ezekiel 1:26. and chapter 40.3.] on a red horse, [hereby is shewed, that the son of God consumes his Enemies like fire, or as others understand it, that he takes away the sins of his people by his blood. See Isaiah 63:1, 2, 3.] and he stood between the myrtle trees: [oth. Be subsisted, (made a halt) among the myrtle-trees: by the myrtles are shadowed forth the faithfull, being still flourishing and fragrant before God, like unto the myrtle-trees: and by the standing still of this man, is signified the ready and ever present help and assistance of the LORD] which were in the depth: [i.e. in the deep moist place, whereby is typified the condition of the Jewish people: which as the time were purely yet in the Babylonian captivity, and partly in their own land, in great trouble still] and after him, [i.e. after the man that sate on the red horse] were red and brown (and) white horses. [whereon angels sate attending Christ, verse 0 and those signifie all kinde of ministers of the LORD, that serve him for to execute his judgements, whether it be for delivering of his children, or for punishment of the enemies]

9. And I said, my LORD, what are these? [Or, who are these, i.e. what are they about?] and then the angel that spake with me, [oth. In me; as the Hebrew particles do properly signifie, implying an inward revelation of things which he had seen outwardly: so below verse 13.14 and 2.3 and chapter 4 verse 1, 4, 5 and chapter 5.5,10 and chapter 6.4. see also Numb. 12.2 and 2 Sam.. 23 verse 2. Hosea 1:1. c.] said unto me, I will shew thee what these are.

10. Then answered the man that stood between the mytles, and said; these are they whom the LORD [i.e. God the Father; for here the son of God speaketh] sent forth [Or, had sent out; for they had been abroad already then, and were now returning] to pass through the whole land: [for to see and observe how things were conditioned everywhere, and to bring in the report thereof. This is said by way of similitude, having regard to the custome of Kings and great ones sending forth their ministers into all parts, for information. Compare Job 1:7. and chapter 2.2. all things are known to God, Psalms 113:6. Jeremiah 23:24. Hebrews 4:13. yet he is pleased to make use of his ministering spirits, the angels, for to manifest and make known his wisdom and government.]

11. And they answered [to answer is here as much as to say, or begin to speak, as also below verse 12 and in many other places] unto the angel of the LORD, [i.e. unto Christ there present, the supream head of all the angels] that stood between the myrtles and said; we have passed through the land, [to wit the land of Chaldea. Oth. The earth, the world, or all the countries of the earth] and behold, the whole land [i.e. all the inhabitants of the land, as may be gathered by verse 15 or the whole earth, except only the poor land of Juda, which lies pitifully wasted and spoiled, and is much annoyed still by its enemies: or except the Jews, which had been captive in Babel for many years and were in a suffering condition yet, many wayes] sitteth and it is still. [or calm, meaning, that the Babylonians and other nations were at rest and quiet.

12. Then answered the angel of the LORD, and said, Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou have mercy upon Jerusalem and upon the cities of Juda? [The angel here speaking, is Jesus Christ, the mediatour and advocate of his church with his heavenly father; the said church being in trouble and under persecution, whiles all other countries round about enjoyed peace and rest. This church is here meant hereby the names of Jerusalem and Juda, although it be applicable also in the literall sense] with whom thou hast been wroth, these seventy yeares.] hence some do gather, that Zacharias spake this soon after the Babylonian captivity, out of which the Jews were delivered through the intercession of Christ; the time being now fulfilled, spoken of 2 Chron. 36.14,15,21. Jeremiah 25:3, 5, 12. and chapter 29.10.]

13. And the LORD answered the angel, that spake with me [or, in me. See above verse 9 and understand that the LORD, i.e. God the Father speaketh to the son, and the son to the prophet, of the love of God to his church and his wrath against his enemies thereof, as is further explained, verse 14.15] good words [i.e friendly, kindly and acceptable words] comfortable words. [to wit comfortable for his church.]

14. And the angel that spake with me, said to me; proclaim, saying, thus saith the Lord, saying, thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion, with a great jealousie [viz. to deliver them out of the hands of their enemies: see Isaiah 9:7. Zephaniah 1:4 and Jeremiah 31:20. and below chapter 8.2. though the LORD had for a time withheld his help and assistance from his church, nevertheless he loved the same still, as a father doth his children, or Husband his wife; and in due time he did deliver her out of her troubles and didtresses.]

15. Ad I am wroth with a very great wrath against these heathens at ease; [i.e. Against the chaldeans, or Babylonian and there adherents, which now sit still and are at rest and ease, whiles my people is afflicted. See above verse 11.] for I was a little wroth, [viz. With the Jews] but they did help for evil, [as if God should say, they looked not to my end and purpose, which was but fatherly to chastise them, for to bring them to repentance and amendment, when all the enemies aimes and endevours were for their utter ruine and extirpation. See Isaiah 10:7. and 47.8. see also Ezekiel 25:3, 6. jeremiah 30.11. Psalms 83:4 ,5.]

16. Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with compassions, mine house shall be build therein, saith the LORD of hostes, and the square-line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. [According as we see carpentes do, being about to set up a new building: the meaning is, Jerusalem should be built again, let the enemies plot and practice to the contrary whatever they are able. This was accomplished by managing and encouragement of Nehemiah. Compare Nehemiah 2:3, 4, c and Haggai 1:13 under the building up of the city of Jerusalem, they are promised also to the Godly, all manne of spiritual grace and benefits.]

17. Cry yet, [or preach further] saying thus saith the LORD of hosts, my cities shall be spread abroad yet, [i.e. the cities of Juda shall be too stait or narrow, they must needs be enlarged and made greater] because of the good; [that is, because of the great and abundant blessings which the LORD shall give them. Spiritually it signifieth that God shall so blesse and increase his church that the land of Juda should be too little and narrow for her to contain all: all the world being to be overspread with her members, and the gifts bestowed upon her. Compare Isaiah 49:18. c. and the whole book of Acts of the Apostles] for the LORD shall comfort Zion yet, and he shall yet chuse Jerusalem. [viz. for his people: the sense is, he shall so abundantly blesse them with all manner of gifts and graces, that it shall sufficiently appear, God chose them for his people, especially shall he blesse them with setting up again of his pure worship among them.]

18. And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw; and behold there were four hornes. [Typifying the several people and Nations, which in an hostile manner made war upon, and molested the people of God from all corners and quartes of the world: see verse 19.]

19. And I said to the angel that spake with me, what are these? [What mean these hornes, what do they betoken or signifie?] And he said to me, these are those hornes, which destroyed Juda, Israel and Jerusalem; [i.e. they signifieth the Babylonians, and other mighty Nations holding with them; their consederates and associates.]

20. And the LORD sheewed me for smiths. [Or Carpenters. By these are likewise signified certain people and nations, Gods fellow labourers as it were, whom God should gather together her from all the corners of the world for to break and destroy, those strong horns, that is, those enemies of God, which hinder the building up of the temple and churh of God.]

21. Then said I, what come they to make? And he spake, saying; those are the hornes which destroyed Juda, so that none lifted up his head, but these are come, to terrifie those [viz. hornes i.e. kingdoms] for to cast down the horns of the heathens, [i.e. to destroy their power, might and kingdoms] which did lift up against the land of Juda, for to destroy the same. [I.e. which invaded the land of Juda with whole armies in a hostile manner and made it desolate all over. Compare Ezekiel 34:21.]