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Zechariah
Chapter Ten
New King James Version (NKJV)
INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 10
This
chapter is a prophecy of the conversion of the Jews in the latter day
when the
fulness of the Gentiles is brought in
spoken of in the preceding chapter Zechariah 9:1. It
begins with an exhortation to ask rain of the Lord; denounces wrath upon his
enemies; and consists of various promises to his people. The exhortation to ask
rain is in Zechariah 10:1 to
which encouragement is given from its being of the Lord
from his willingness
to grant it
and from the fruitfulness occasioned by it. The vanity of idols
and idolaters
who can not give it
is exposed; and the distress and confusion
they were thrown into is observed
Zechariah 10:2. The
anger of the Lord against the principal of them is declared; and his gracious
visitation of the people of the Jews
whom he will honour and glorify
is taken
notice of
Zechariah 10:3 from
whom the Messiah sprung
than which a greater glory can not be enjoyed
Zechariah 10:4 and
then follow various promises
relating to them; as of victory over their
enemies
through the presence of the Lord with them
Zechariah 10:5 of
strength and salvation to them
as owing to his free grace and mercy
Zechariah 10:6 of
inward spiritual joy in them and theirs
Zechariah 10:7 of
their effectual calling and spiritual increase
in consequence of redeeming
grace
Zechariah 10:8 of
their having a name and a place in Gospel churches
where they will remember
the Lord
and live with their children
being converted
Zechariah 10:9
which conversion of theirs is represented in terms alluding to their
deliverance from Egypt and Babylon
Zechariah 10:10 and
the chapter is concluded with a promise of spiritual strength
so that they
shall continue in their profession of faith in Christ
and persevere therein to
the end
Zechariah 10:12.
Zechariah 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain In the time of the latter rain.[a] The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain
Grass
in the field for everyone.
YLT
1They asked of Jehovah rain
in a time of latter rain
Jehovah is making lightnings
And rain [in] showers
He doth give to them. To each -- the herb in the field.
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain
.... There was
the former and the latter rain
of which see Hosea 6:3. The
former rain was in autumn
a little before or about seed time; the latter was
in the spring
and a little before harvest
which is here referred to. So
HesiodF7Opera & Dies
l. 2. calls those rains the autumnal and
vernal rains; and between these two rains there was seldom any more. Jerom saysF8Comment.
in Amos iv. 7. fol. 39. F. that he never saw in the eastern countries
especially in Judea
any rain at the end of the month of June
or in July; and now
at Aleppo
a little more northerly
for three or four months after May
they
have scarce so much as any dew upon the ground
as Pemble on the place
observes. So Dr. Shaw saysF9Travels
p. 136
137. Ed. 2.
little or
no rain falls in this climate (of Algiers and Tunis)
during the summer season;
and in most parts of the Sahara
particularly in the Jereede
they have seldom
any rain at all. It was likewise the same in the holy land
Proverbs 26:1 where
rain is accounted an unusual thing in "harvest"
2 Samuel 21:10
where it is also mentioned
"from harvest till rain dropped on them";
i.e. their rainy season fell out
as in Barbary
in the autumnal and winter
months.
"The
first rains (he observes) fall here some years in September
in others a month
later; after which the Arabs break up their ground
in order to sow wheat
and
plant beans: this commonly falls out about the middle of October.'
If
the latter rains fall as usual in the middle of April
(in the holy land we
find they were a month sooner
Joel 2:23.) the
crop is reckoned secure; the harvest coming on in the latter end of May
or in
the beginning of June
according to the heat and quality of the preceding
seasons: wherefore
since there was so little rain fell in these countries
and
particularly in Judea; if these former and latter rains failed
a scarcity
followed; for
for want of the former rain
the earth was hard
and not easily
ploughed up; and for want of the latter the grain withered away in the blade
and
did not ear
at least did not produce ears plump and good; so that these rains
were great temporal blessings
and to be asked for
as they were by the Jews
when they were wanted; and for which they appointed fastsF11Misn.
Taanith
c. 1. sect. 2
3
4
5
6
7.
and were emblems of spiritual
blessings here designed; for rain here is not to be literally understood
but
mystically and spiritually; and designs either the love and favour of God
and
the comfortable discoveries of it; see Proverbs 16:15
which may be compared to rain in its original; it is from above
from on high
it comes from heaven; it is not owing to anything in man
but to the will of
God; and is distinguishing
as rain falls on one city
and not on another; in
its objects
undeserving persons
as rain is sent on the just and unjust; in
its manner of communication
it tarries not for the will and works of men; it
comes at times in great abundance
and the discoveries of it are to be asked
for; in its effects
it softens and melts the heart into evangelical
repentance; it cools and extinguishes the flaming wrath of a fiery law in the
conscience; it refreshes and revives the drooping spirit
and makes the barren
soul fruitful: or the blessings of grace in general may be meant; these are
from above
depend on the will of God; are to be sought after
and asked for;
are free grace gifts; are given largely and plentifully
and make fruitful: or
the coming of Christ in the flesh in particular is intended; see Hosea 6:3 who came
down from heaven; is a free gift of God to men
was sought after
and greatly
desired
and to be desired
by the Old Testament saints
and very grateful to
such when he came. This may also be applied to his spiritual coming in his
power and kingdom in the latter day
which is to be earnestly wished and prayed
for
Psalm 72:7 or else
the Gospel may be designed; see Deuteronomy 32:2
this is of God
and from above; comes and falls upon the sons of men
according
to divine direction; softens hard hearts
when it becomes effectual; comforts
the souls of God's people; is a blessing to be desired
and asked for; and will
be enjoyed in great plenty in the latter day:
so the Lord shall make
bright clouds; by which may be meant the ministers of the Gospel
who are of
God's making
and not man's: these may be compared to "clouds" for
their number
especially as they will be in the latter day; and for their
moving to and fro
to communicate spiritual knowledge: and to
"bright" ones
such as from whence lightning springs
thunderclouds
full of water; (the same word is used for lightning
Job 38:25;) because
full of Gospel truths
and because of that clear light they diffuse to others:
and give them showers of rain: productive
under a
divine influence
of large conversions among Jews and Gentiles:
to everyone grass in the field: on whom these showers
fall with efficacy
and a divine blessing; everyone of these have a spiritual
knowledge of Christ
faith in him
repentance towards God
food and fulness of
it; and are filled with the fruits of righteousness
or good works
to the glory
of God; see Isaiah 55:10. The
Targum is
"that
he may give to them (the children of men) corn to eat
and grass to the beasts
in the field;'
taking
the words literally.
Zechariah 10:2 2 For
the idols[b] speak
delusion; The diviners envision lies
And tell false dreams; They comfort in
vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; They are in
trouble because there is no shepherd.
YLT
2Because the teraphim did
speak iniquity
And the diviners have seen a falsehood
And dreams of the
vanity they speak
[With] vanity they give comfort
Therefore they have
journeyed as a flock
They are afflicted
for there is no shepherd.
For the idols have spoken vanity
.... The vanities of the
Gentiles cannot give rain; if they promise it
they speak vain things; God only
can give it
and therefore it must
be asked of him
Jeremiah 14:22. The
word for idols is "teraphim"
the same as in Genesis 31:19 and
here signifies worshippers of idols
as the Targum interprets it; and may be
understood of the idolatrous Papists who worship idols of gold
silver
brass
and wood
Revelation 9:20 and
who speak lies in hypocrisy
great swelling words of vanity
and even blasphemy
against God
his name
his tabernacle
and them that dwell in heaven
1 Timothy 4:1.
Jarchi on 2 Kings 23:24
says
the teraphim are images that speak by sorcerers or sorceries; and to such
evils the followers of the man of sin are addicted
Revelation 9:21 and
the JewsF12Targum Jon. in Gen. xxxi. 19. R. Eliezer Pirke
c. 36.
fol. 40. 1. have a notion that those images were so formed
that they were
capable of speaking and talking with men; see Hosea 3:4 they seem
to confound them with the "talisman":
and the diviners have seen a lie; delivered it out
and
others believed it
being given up to judicial blindness
because they received
not the love of the truth
2 Thessalonians 2:10.
The Targum is
"the
diviners prophesy falsehood;'
or
preach false doctrine
as the Romish clergy do
who are meant by the diviners:
and have told false dreams; about transubstantiation
purgatory
&c. which are visionary things; false doctrines are compared to
dreams
Jeremiah 23:25
they comfort in vain; by works of
supererogation
by selling pardons
and praying souls out of purgatory:
therefore they went their way as a flock; as a flock of
sheep straying from the fold. The Targum is
"they
are scattered as sheep are scattered;'
that
is
the Jews
being hardened against the Christian religion
by the idolatry
lies
and dreams of the Papists
wander about in their mistakes and errors
concerning the Messiah; which is their case to this day
and will be until the
man of sin is destroyed:
they were troubled
because there was no shepherd; or
"no
king"
as the Targum paraphrases it; that is
the King Messiah
according
to them
is not yet come; which is their affliction and trouble
that they are
as sheep without a shepherd: or
"they answered"
that there "is
no shepherd"F13יענו כי אין רעה
"testificati sunt nullum fuisse pastorem"
Junius & Tremellius
Heb.; "responderunt"
Piscator; "respondebunt quod non sit
pastor"
Burkius. ; they replied to the diviners
the tellers of false
dreams and idolaters
and affirmed that the Messiah is not come
and that the
pope of Rome is not the shepherd and bishop of souls.
Zechariah 10:3 3 “My
anger is kindled against the shepherds
And I will punish the goatherds. For
the Lord of hosts will visit His flock
The house of Judah
And will make
them as His royal horse in the battle.
YLT
3Against the shepherds did
Mine anger burn
And against the he-goats I lay a charge
For inspected hath
Jehovah of Hosts His flock
the house of Judah
And set them as His beauteous
horse in battle.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds
.... The
Targum interprets it of "kings"; as the "goats" of
"princes"
in the next clause; by whom
according to Jarchi
Aben
Ezra
Kimchi
and Abarbinel
are meant the kings of Greece; but rather the
antichristian kings are designed
the kings of the earth
who have committed
fornication with the whore of Rome
which is the cause of the anger of the Lord
being kindled: or else ecclesiastical rulers are meant
the Romish clergy
the
chief of them
as cardinals
archbishops
bishops
&c. who may fitly be
represented by the shepherds of Israel in the times of the prophets for their
name
professing to be of Israel
or to be Christians; and by them for their
ignorance
covetousness
luxury
disregard to the flock
tyranny and cruelty
over it
and murder of it; see Isaiah 56:10
against these the fire of God's wrath will be kindled
and with it will they be
destroyed:
and I punished the goats; not the Seleucidae
as
the above Jewish writers; though they may with propriety be so called
since
they were the successors of Alexander
signified by the he goat in Daniel 8:5 rather
the monks and friars
comparable to these for their filthiness and uncleanness;
and because they pretend to be guides of the people
and to go before them
and
yet use them ill
and push them with their horns of power; wherefore God will
punish them
and kill those children of Jezebel with death
Revelation 2:22
for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock
the house of Judah; by sending
the Gospel to them
and his Spirit with it
to make it effectual to their
conversion; which will be at the time that the antichristian hierarchy will be
destroyed; then the Lord's flock
who have gone astray
shall be returned to
the true Shepherd and Bishop of souls
and shall seek the Lord their God
and
David their King
and shall be saved by him: a gracious visitation this will
be!
and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle; this denotes
that the Jews
when converted
will be bold in their God; valiant for the truth
on earth; courageously fight the good fight of faith
and be victorious over
their enemies; and that they will be in great honour and esteem among the
saints
though so mean and justly despicable now: the sense is
that as the
horse shows its strength and courage in battle
so should they; see Job 39:19.
Zechariah 10:4 4 From
him comes the cornerstone
From him the tent peg
From him the battle bow
From
him every ruler[c] together.
YLT
4From him [is] a
corner-stone
From him a nail
from him a battle-bow
From him goeth forth
every exactor together.
Out of him came forth the corner
.... Or
"cornerstone"; by which is meant a king or ruler
as the Targum
Jarchi
and Kimchi; and is no other than the King Messiah
who was to come out
of Judah
and did spring from that tribe
1 Chronicles 5:2
and this is a reason why God will visit the house of Judah
or the Jews
in the
latter day
because the Messiah was promised and sent unto them
salvation was
of them
though they rejected him; but the Lord will have mercy on them; the
Redeemer shall come to Zion in a spiritual manner
and turn away iniquity from
them
and then all Israel shall be saved by him. The epithet of a
"corner" stone well agrees with him
that being not only the
ornament
but the strength and support of the building
which knits
cements
and keeps the whole together: Christ is a beautiful and precious cornerstone
which gives glory and lustre to the church
and is the support
yea
the
foundation of it; and who joins and unites together men and angels; Jews and
Gentiles; Old and New Testament saints; saints above and below; saints in all
ages and places
and of all nations and denominations; and is the Head of the
corner
being superior to men and angels
to the kings of the earth
and to the
church of God; see Ephesians 2:20.
Out of him the nail; the Targum is
"out
of him his Messiah"; which shows that this text was formerly understood of
Christ by the Jews; Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it of a prince and governor; so
Eliakim the governor is said to be "as a nail in a sure place"
Isaiah 22:23 who
was a type of Christ; and this agrees with Christ himself. The allusion is
either to a nail
by which the timber in the building is compacted together
and the whole is strengthened
as the church is by Christ: or to a nail to
which the cords of tents are fastened
as those of shepherds
travellers
or
soldiers; the church is as such a tent; Christ is the nail to which its cords
are fastened
which denotes the stability and security of it: or to a nail
fixed in a wall
on which things are hung; on Christ are hung all the vessels
of mercy; the covenant of grace
and all its promises and blessings; and all
the glory of his Father's house
of his building
the temple
and of the
salvation of his people
is to be hung on him.
Out of him the battle bow; or "warrior"
as Jarchi interprets it; the Lord is a man of war; Christ makes war in
righteousness; the armies of heaven follow him; he is at the head of them
and
fights the battles of his people
and is victorious
and makes them more than
conquerors; their spiritual armour is from him
and they are armed by him
Revelation 19:11
out of him every oppressor together: or "exactor"F14נזגש "exactor"
Montanus
Vatablus
Tigurine
version
Junius & Tremellius
Calvin
Drusius
De Dieu
Cocceius
Burkius.
; which is used in a good sense
Isaiah 60:17 as it
must be here
since all the rest of the epithets are; and may design the
apostles of Christ
who preached the doctrines of grace and righteousness
and
required of men the obedience of faith; and these came out of Judah and
Jerusalem
and went into all the world
demanding faith in and obedience to the
Son of God.
Zechariah 10:5 5 They
shall be like mighty men
Who tread down their enemies In the mire of
the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the Lord is with them
And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.
YLT
5And they have been as
heroes
Treading in mire of out-places in battle
And they have fought
for
Jehovah [is] with them
And have put to shame riders of horses.
And they shall be as mighty men
.... That is
the converted Jews shall be such; they shall be strong in faith
giving glory
to the Messiah; they shall be strong in the grace that is in him; they shall be
strong in the Lord
and in the power of his might; his strength shall be made
perfect in their weakness:
which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets
in the battle; being victorious over sin
Satan
and the world
through Christ
in whom they will believe:
and they shall fight; against all their inward
and outward enemies
the good fight of faith
with great valour and courage:
because the Lord is with them; who is the
Lord of hosts or armies; his presence gives boldness and intrepidity; for
if
he is for them
who can be against them? the battle is theirs
success is
certain:
and the riders on horses shall be confounded; such that
come up against them on them
and trust in them
shall be beaten by them
and
so made ashamed; and the flesh
both of the horses and their riders
shall be
the food of the fowls of the air
Revelation 19:18
perhaps the Turkish cavalry is meant
who may attempt to hinder the settlement
of the Jews in their own land; the armies of the Turks consisting greatly of
horsemen
Revelation 9:16.
Zechariah 10:6 6 “I
will strengthen the house of Judah
And I will save the house of Joseph. I will
bring them back
Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had
not cast them aside; For I am the Lord their God
And I will hear them.
YLT
6And I have made mighty the
house of Judah
And the house of Joseph I do save
And I have caused them to
dwell
for I have loved them
And they have been as [if] I had not cast them
off
For I [am] Jehovah their God
And I answer them.
And I wilt strengthen the house of Judah
.... Both with
internal and external strength
so that they shall be able to stand their
ground against enemies of every sort:
and I will save the house of Joseph: the ten tribes
such of
them that shall be found
for all Israel shall be saved
Romans 11:26 not
only temporally
but spiritually
with an everlasting salvation:
and I will bring them again to place them; there is but
one word in the original text; it is composed of two words
as Kimchi observes
of שוב
"to return"
and ישב
"to sit" or "dwell"F15והושבותים "et reverti et habitare faciam"
Burkius.
quietly
constantly
and at ease; and our version takes in both
senses: the meaning is
that these people should be returned from the state and
condition and from each of the places they are in
and be settled either in
their own land
or in Gospel churches
under a Gospel ministry
enjoying Gospel
ordinances
or in both:
for I have mercy upon them; which is the spring and
source of all the above benefits promised
or that are after mentioned; even of
the covenant and its blessings; the mission of Christ
and salvation by him;
regeneration
pardon
and eternal life; hence they that had a
"loammi" upon them
and were not the people of God
now will be his
people; and those who had not obtained mercy shall obtain it
even those that
were concluded in unbelief:
and they shall be as though I had not cast them off; or rejected
them from being his people; which was done when the natural branches
the Jews
were broken off
and the Gentiles of the wild olive tree were grafted in; when
their civil and church state were dissolved
and their city and temple
destroyed:
for I am the Lord their God; covenant interest always
remains
and is the source of all the blessings of grace
and will be of the
conversion of the Jews
Romans 11:26
and will hear them; when
the Spirit of grace and supplication
being poured upon them
they shall cry unto the Lord
and look to him for
salvation. The Targum is
"and
I will receive their prayer.'
Zechariah 10:7 7 Those
of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man
And their heart shall rejoice as if
with wine. Yes
their children shall see it and be glad; Their heart
shall rejoice in the Lord.
YLT
7And Ephraim hath been as a
hero
And rejoiced hath their heart as wine
And their sons see
and they have
rejoiced
Rejoice doth their heart in Jehovah.
And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man
.... What
remain
and shall be found of the ten tribes
shall be as is said of Judah
or
the Jews of the two tribes
Zechariah 10:5
and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: they shall be
filled with inward and spiritual joy
through the love of God shed abroad in
their heart; and through the Gospel of Christ having a place there; and through
the blessings of divine grace
those streams of love
and which flow in the
Gospel
and make glad the hearts of God's people; all which are comparable to
wine:
yea
their children shall see it
and be glad; they shall
see the strength
victory
and salvation of their fathers
and the joy they
shall be possessed of
and join with them in it
having a share in the same
blessings they are partakers of:
their heart shall rejoice in the Lord; in the person
and offices of Christ
who will now be known by the spiritual seed and
offspring of the church
and in the great salvation wrought out by him
and in
all the blessings of grace that accompany it. The Targum is
"their
heart shall rejoice in the word of the Lord;'
the
essential Word
the Son of God.
Zechariah 10:8 8 I
will whistle for them and gather them
For I will redeem them; And they shall
increase as they once increased.
YLT
8I hist for them
and I
gather them
For I have redeemed them
And they have multiplied as they did
multiply.
I will hiss for them
.... Or "whistle for
them"F16אשרקה "sibilabo"
i. e. "fistula pastorali"
Grotius
Burkius. ; the word signifies
as
Kimchi and Ben Melech observe
the motion of the lips with the voice
and is a
sign of calling; and so the Targum renders it
I will cry or call for them; and
it denotes the call of them by the Gospel
which is the voice of Christ
which
is soft
sweet
and melodious; is a sound of love
grace
and mercy; of peace
pardon
life
and salvation: the allusion seems to be to the shepherd gathering
his sheep together with his pipe or whistle
and which was a reed; and so may
denote the weakness of the instrument
the ministry of the word in itself
which is made the power of God unto salvation:
and gather them; from the places where they are scattered
into their land; or
by effectual calling
out from the state and condition in
which they are
and from among the men of the world
to the Lord himself
as
their Redeemer and Saviour; and to him for pardon and righteousness; and into
his churches
and communion with him there: Kimchi observes
that some interpret
this verse of future time; and Jarchi says it relates to it; and in the TalmudF17T.
Bab. Cholin
fol. 63. 1. it is applied to the times of the Messiah; where they
speak of a bird called "racham"
which we translate the gier eagle
Deuteronomy 14:17
and they say it is so called
because
when that comes
mercies come into the
world
which this word signifies. R. Bibi bar Abi says
when it sits
it makes
a whistling or hissing
from whence it is called "sarakrak"
a word
derived from what is here used; and when it sits on the ground
and hisses or
whistles
the Messiah will come
as it is said
"I will hiss for
them"
&c.; the gloss is
when it stands not
but sits and chirps
it
is a sign of good news. The design
seems to be to show
that the Messiah's
coming is owing mercy
and would be good news
which the Gospel publishes.
For I have redeemed them; from sin
Satan
the
law
death
and hell
and every enemy
by his precious blood
and the sacrifice
of himself when here on earth; and this is the foundation of the effectual
calling of any and every sinner; and will be the reason of the conversion and
ingathering of the Jews in the latter day; they being a people redeemed and
purchased by the blood of Christ
Isaiah 43:1
and they shall increase as they have increased; either when
in Egypt
or in the days of Solomon; their number shall be as the sand of the
sea
Hosea 1:10 a nation
shall be born at once; they shall be multiplied
and not be few
and glorified
and not be small; yea
the place shall be too strait for them to dwell in
Jeremiah 31:18.
Zechariah 10:9 9 “I
will sow them among the peoples
And they shall remember Me in far countries; They
shall live
together with their children
And they shall return.
YLT
9And I sow them among
peoples
And in far-off places they remember Me
And they have lived with their
sons
And they have turned back.
And I will sow them among the people
The people of
God in the Gentile world: this is to be understood of the conversion of the
Jews
when they will become the good seed that hear the word
and understand
it
and bring forth fruit; and of their being known
acknowledged
and reckoned
among the people of God
who now are not; and of their being planted in Gospel
churches
where the word is truly preached; the ordinances are faithfully
administered; the Lord grants his presence
and saints have communion one with
another; to be in such a fruitful soil
and in such sacred enclosures
fenced
by the power and grace of God
is a great happiness:
and they shall remember me in far countries; they shall
call to mind what their ancestors did to Christ
and mourn on account of a
pierced Saviour; they shall remember him in the ordinance of the supper
being
in a Gospel church state; they shall remember what he did and suffered for
them
and his love to them in all
and that with faith
affection
and
thankfulness:
and they shall live with their children; a very happy
comfortable
temporal life; and they shall live a spiritual life; a life of
faith on Christ; of communion with him
and of holiness from him
and to his
glory: and their children also shall live the same life
being regenerated and
quickened by the same grace; these are the church's children:
and turn again; that is
when they shall turn again
either
to the Lord
shall be converted unto him; or return to their own land.
Zechariah 10:10 10 I
will also bring them back from the land of Egypt
And gather them from Assyria.
I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon
Until no more room
is found for them.
YLT
10And I have brought them
back from the land of Egypt
And from Asshur I do gather them
And unto the
land of Gilead and Lebanon I do bring them in
And there is not found for them
[space].
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt
.... The
Targum paraphrases it
"and
as I brought them out of the land of Egypt
so will gather their captivity out
of Assyria;'
suggesting
there would be a likeness between the one and the other. Egypt may denote the
state of distance and bondage in which all men are by nature; and the Jews
at
their conversion
will be brought out of it
into the glorious liberty of the children
of God
by the mighty arm of the Lord
according to his purposes and promises.
Moreover
as Cocceius observes
Egypt may signify Rome
or the Romish
jurisdiction
which is spiritually called Egypt and Sodom
Revelation 11:8 for
darkness
idolatry
tyranny
and cruelty; and out of which the Jews
as many of
them as are there
will be brought at the time of their conversion:
and gather them out of Assyria; which may design the
Turkish or Persian dominions
or both
as the above commentator suggests; from
whence the Jews
as many as are in those parts
will be brought into their own
land
as follows; see Isaiah 11:11
and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; Gilead was a
land of pasture
and signifies "a heap of testimonies"; and may
mystically intend the Scriptures
which testify of Christ
and direct to green
pastures
beside the still waters: and Lebanon
that goodly mountain
and hill
of frankincense
and where cedars grew
may design the church
whither the
converted Jews will be brought
and worship before it
Revelation 3:9 or
both may literally be understood
which they shall return unto; Gilead being
as Kimchi observes
beyond Jordan eastward; and Lebanon
comprehending the
whole land of Israel
on this side of it:
and place shall not be found for them; they will be
so numerous; see Isaiah 49:20 the
Targum is
"and
I will bring them to the land of Gilead and the sanctuary
and it shall not be
sufficient for them;'
that
is
to hold them. The Septuagint render it
"and not one of them shall be
left": all Israel shall now be converted and saved
though their number
will be as the sand of the sea
Hosea 1:10.
Zechariah 10:11 11 He
shall pass through the sea with affliction
And strike the waves of the sea: All
the depths of the River[d] shall dry
up. Then the pride of Assyria shall be brought down
And the scepter of Egypt
shall depart.
YLT
11And He hath passed over
through the sea
And hath pressed and smitten billows in the sea
And dried up
have been all depths of a flood
And brought down hath been the excellency of
Asshur
And the rod of Egypt doth turn aside.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction
.... Either
the people of the Jews
as Israel of old did
when they came out of Egypt
to
which the allusion is; or the wind shall pass through the sea
as Aben Ezra
supplies it
and it shall become dry; that is
the river of Egypt: or
"affliction"F18Pagninus
Montanus
Munster
Vatablus
Calvin
Drusius
Cocceius.
as many supply it
shall pass through the sea; the
nations
which are many as the sea
as Kimchi interprets it; and so may design
that hour of temptation that shall come upon all the earth
Revelation 3:10 or
with which the kingdom of the beast
who rose up out of the sea
and consists
of many waters
people
tongues
and nations
will be afflicted
Revelation 13:1
which the Lord shall pass through and smite; or it may in general denote the
sea of this world
and the afflictions of it
which the Lord causes his people
to pass through
and brings them out of them:
and shall smite the waves in the sea: that is
the
Lord shall smite them; repress afflictions
which are like the proud waves
not
suffering them to proceed further than is for his glory and his people's good
and remove all obstacles in their way; see Isaiah 11:15 or
destroy their enemies
which are like the proud waters
that otherwise would go
over their souls
and overwhelm them; and particularly the antichristian
states
at the pouring out of the vials
signified by the sea
and by fountains
and rivers
Revelation 16:3. Kimchi
explains it of the multitude of the people:
and all the deeps of the river shall dry up; not Nile
the
river of Egypt
as Jarchi and Aben EzraF19So Stockius
p. 891.
but
the river Euphrates; see Revelation 16:12
the drying up of which signifies the destruction of the Turkish empire; and the
Targum paraphrases it
"all
the kings of the people shall be confounded:'
and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down; the pride of
the Ottoman empire
of which the old Assyria is a part
and which has been
large and powerful
that shall be destroyed; this will be at the passing away
of the second woe; and then quickly comes the third
which is as follows
Revelation 11:14
and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away; all rule and
government shall cease; see Genesis 49:10
meaning that the kingdom of the antichristian beast of Rome
called Egypt
Revelation 11:8
shall be at an end; which will be at the blowing of the seventh trumpet
and
upon and through the pouring out of the seven vials. So the Targum
the
dominion of the Egyptians shall be taken away; or its rod
with which it has
smote
hurt
and greatly oppressed and afflicted the saints; persecution shall
now cease; it will not be in the power of the Romish antichrist to persecute
any more.
Zechariah 10:12 12 “So
I will strengthen them in the Lord
And they
shall walk up and down in His name
” Says the Lord.
YLT
12And I have made them mighty
in Jehovah
And in His name they walk up and down
An affirmation of Jehovah!
And I will strengthen them in the Lord
.... Not the
Egyptians and Assyrians
but the Jews
as in Zechariah 10:5
the
Targum is
"I
will strengthen them in the word of the Lord;'
in
the Messiah
by his power
and in the grace that is in him; and their faith and
hope in him
and love to him: or "by"F20ביהוה "per Jehovam"
Piscator. him; so that
through him strengthening them
they will be able to do all things; to exercise
grace; perform duty; withstand temptation; oppose indwelling sin; bear the
cross of Christ; endure afflictions; engage with all their spiritual enemies
and conquer them: for the words may be rendered
"I will cause them to
prevail"
or "overcome in the Lord"F21וגברתים "et faciam illos ut vincant"
Cocceius. ;
all their enemies
temporal and spiritual; and even to be more than conquerors
through him that has loved them:
and they shall walk up and down in his name
saith the Lord; walk in him
the way to the Father
to heaven and happiness; walk by faith on him
in his
strength
and in imitation of him; walk according to his Gospel
calling on his
name
professing and worshipping him; and walk in his church and ordinances
agreeably to his will; see Micah 4:5. Kimchi
owns that this whole chapter belongs to the times of the Messiah
as well as
the former. The words may be considered as a testimony to the doctrine of the
Trinity; that I
Jehovah the Father
will strengthen them in Jehovah the Son;
and they shall walk up and down in the name of the Son of God
saith Jehovah
the Spirit. Moreover
as a promise of the saints' final perseverance
very
peremptorily expressed; I "will" strengthen them
and they
"shall" walk
&c.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》
New King James
Version (NKJV)