Zechariah 2
DortThe third vision, namely a man with a measuring line, measuring the place of the new Jerusalem, verse 1,2 shewing withal the great maltitude of the inhabitants of this city, and how God would protect the same, 3, &c. after the Jews remaining in Babylon are exhorted to repair home, 6. with promises that God would destroy their enemies, 9 of the conversion of the gentiles, 11 and God’s continual care for his church, 12.
1. Again I lifted up mine eyes, and I saw and behold there was a man, [to wit, the same angel who was Christ in the shape of a man, as appears below verse 3. and above chapter 1.8. see Ezek. 40 on verse 3 and 41. and 42 chapters. Revelation 11:1, 2.] and in his hand was a measuring line.
2. and I said, whither goeth thou, and he said to me, for to measure Jerusalem, to see how great her breadth, and how great her length shall be. [i.e. to view and dispose, how great, large and ample that Jerusalem should be, which was to be built up again. See Ezekiel 6:3.]
3. And behold the angel [see above chapter 1.9] that spake with [or, in] me, went forth: [to wit, from among the myrtles, where he stayed, chapter 1.8. for to be the neer in speaking to me] and another angel [to wit, one of the created angels, that stood behinde Christ chapter 1.8.] went forth [viz. out of the foresaid company of angels] to meet him [namely, at the place, which he was to measure]
4. And he [viz. the LORD Christ] said to him: [viz. to that created angel last spoken of] run, speak to this yound man, [the Prophet here doth understand himself, being at that time but yet, or a young man is as much as a servant, the same word being likewise attributed to such, even those of riper yeares, Exodus 33:11 and chapter 19.6.] saying, Jerusalem should be inhabited village-wife, because of the maltitude of men and of the beasts, that shall be in the midst thereof [the meaning is, it shall be inhabited without walls, in regard those exceeding great multitudes of men shall not be able to be contained within the compass of any walls. Oth. Jerusalem shall inhabit the village i.e. those of Jerusalem, shall, by reason of their great encrease, be sain, to retire, abundance of them into the villages with their habitations. However this ought to be mainly understood, of the great multitudes of men that were to believe in Christ and submit themselves under his spirit themselves under his spiritual kingdom, in regard the universal church was to extend and spread her self all the world over. See Isaiah 54:1, 23. 60 verse 4.11. compare also Jeremiah 31:27.]
5. And I will be unto her, saith the LORD, a fiery wall round about: [i.e. I will so protect them, that their enemies shall not dare not be able to assau itthem, and such as shall presume to set upon them, shall be destroyed and comsumed as with fire. Compare Isaiah 26:1. and 60.18, 19. Jeremiah 15:20. compare also Psalms 125:2 and 2 Kings 6:17.] and I will be for glory in the midst of her. [i.e. I will be the cause of much honour and glory to them. I will honour and favour the citizens and inhabitants of that city or church with many and great mercies, graces and benefits.]
6. Ho, bo, [Or, O, O, and so also verse 7.] see now out of the north countrey, [i.e. out of Babylon, which lay toward the north from Juda. See Jer. 6 on verse 27. and chapter 16 verse 15 the speech is addressed here to those Jewes, that were then yet at Babylon; and the meaning is, get you away suddenly out of the eminent danger of those parts, hanging over the heads of the Babylonians, and repair betimes unto the church of God. See Isaiah 48 on verse 20.] saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad toward the four windes of heaven, [i.e. so far as the four windes do extend themselves. Oth. As the four c. compare Ezekiel 17:21. otherwise, because I now set you free, out of the Babylonian captivity, in which ye were cooped up and were detained like a bird in cage, ye having the freedom now of all the countrey, and liberty to travel and remove whither you lift. Or, as hereofore I scattered you into the four winds or quarters of the world, so I will like wise gather and recover you again from thence.]
7. Ho Zion, escape thou that dwellest (with) the daughter of Babel. [The meaning is make all the haste ye can to abandon Babel, and to come in to the church.]
8. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; after the glory (upon you), [i.e. after that he had resolved to honour you with deliverance out of Babel] he sent me to those heathen, which bereave you: [or, againg the heathen, to wit against the Chaldeans and other Enemies of yours; as if he said; God having begun to be gracious to you, he resolved to continue the same, and thereof he hath sent me to protect you against the force and violence of your enemies that they shall not be able to hurt you, neither in nor after your return homeward] for he that toucheth you he toucheth the apple of his eye [his viz. the LORDs. The sense is, he that doth molest and trouble, afflict or annoy you, in so doing offends the LORD himself most sensibly, which he will surely avenge. See Deut. 32 on verse 10. Psalms 17:8 and Acts 9:4]
9. For [Or verily] I will move my hand over them [to wit, over or against those heathen, the Babylonians and other nations that preyed upon, i.e will visit and plague them with my power] and they shall be a prey to their servant [viz. to their captives formerly, whom they made to serve and drudge under them, as their bondmen, spiritually, it implies, that the enemies of the church of God being converted unto Christ, they should offer up themselves and all unto Christ] thus shall ye know [these are yet Christ his words: and to know is as much here as to finde by experience] that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. [i.e. ye shall then plainly know and understand, that I am the son of God, and was sent thus before hand, to foretell these unto you, till I shall be sent to fulfill them in due time. Christ is sent by his father as mediatour for the good of his church.]
10. Shout, and rejoice, thou daughter of Zion: for behold I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. [thus Christ speaketh here unto the believing Jewes; and the sense is, as if he had said; I shall not appear then in the shadow of the old Testament, but come among you bodily, Colossians 2:9 and 1 Tim. 2.16. Job 1:14. see also Leviticus 26:12. Ezekiel 37:27. and 2 Cor. 6.18.]
11. And many heathen [O, people, nations, the word many regards principally the times of the times of the preaching of the Apostle. See Isaiah 2:2, 3.] shall be joined to the LORD on that day, [i.e in the time of spiritual deliverance of the Christ, which was typified by the corporal deliverance of the Jewes out of the Babylonian captivity] and they shall be a people unto me, and I will dwell in midst of thee [O Zion, O my church. I will be and converse, preach and work miracles among you] and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts sent me unto thee, [i.e. that I am indeed the son of God, sent by the father to make this known unto you, and to come and dwell in the midst among you, that ye being jointly with the heathens united to me, may become my people.]
12. Then shall the LORD inherit Juda for his portion, [i.e. hold and esteem love and pprotect the elect among the Jewes, the true Israelites, believing in Christ, as his own peculiar people and inheritance. Oth. Then shall the Lord hereditarily possess Juda his inheritance. See Deuteronomy 32:9.] in the holy land, [Heb. In the Land of the Holiness, i.e. in the land of Canaan, typifying the church of god] and he shall yet chuse Jerusalem. [See above chapter 1. on verse 17.]
13. Be silent [see Habakkuk 2:20. Zephaniah 1:7.] All flesh [i.e. all men or people, mankinde. See Psalms 65 on verse 3.] Before the face of the LORD: for he is awaked [that is, he hath manifested his divine power by the deliverance of his church and people. Oth. When he shall be awaked, viz. for the deliverance of his people] out of his holy habitation. [I.e. out of heaven. See Psalms 11:4. And Deuteronomy 26:15.]