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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

God, by the prophet, here gives further assurances of the mercy he had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. Here is line upon line for their comfort, as before there was for their conviction. These verses contain strong encouragements with reference to the difficulties they now laboured under. And we may observe, I. Who they were to whom these encouragements did belong?to those who, in obedience to the call of God by his prophets, applied in good earnest to the building of the temple (Zech. 8:9):... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:13

And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen ,.... Reproached, vilified, and called accursed by them; see Jeremiah 24:9 as true Christians, and real believers in Christ, are by the men of this world, 1 Corinthians 4:12 , O house of Judah, and house of Israel ; both being carried captive at different times, and were typical of the true and Spiritual Israel of God: so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing ; be blessed in themselves with the above... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:14

For thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... In order to assure them of the truth of what he promised, he observes the fulfilment of what he had threatened, he being as true and faithful in the one as in the other: As I thought to punish you : determined to do it, by suffering them to be carried captive: when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts ; by their immorality, idolatry, and contempt of his prophets: and I repented not ; the Targum adds, "of my word"; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:15

So again ,.... Or "so I am returned" F14 כן שבתי "sic conversus sum", Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin; "ita conversus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "reversus sum", Burkius. , as in Zechariah 8:3 , have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah ; by bestowing the above mentioned blessings on them; and as Jehovah has thought, so it comes to pass, and as he has purposed, so it stands; whatever he determines shall be, as for evil, so for good,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:16

These are the things that ye shall do ,.... Which were duties incumbent on them, and which it became them to perform, under a sense of the favours bestowed on them, to show their gratitude to God, and that they might glorify him: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour ; not using deceit, prevarication, and lying, Ephesians 4:25 and it becomes every man under the Gospel dispensation, according to the gift he has received, to speak, publish, and declare the truth of the Gospel,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:13

As ye were a curse - Instead of being execrated among the people, ye shall be blessed; instead of being reproached, ye shall be commended. Ye shall be a blessing to all the nations round about. All these promises we may expect to be completely fulfilled when the Jews acknowledge their Messiah. O house of Judah, and house of Israel - The restoration shall be complete, when both Israel and Judah are brought back. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:16

Speak ye every man the truth - See Zechariah 7:9 , Zechariah 7:10 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:13

Verse 13 He goes on with the same subject, and in this verse he states two contrary things, in order to render more clear what he teaches here — that while God was angry the earth was barren, and all things went on unhappily with the Jews; but that when God had begun to be reconciled, the earth had as it were changed its nature, and brought forth plentifully, and that they were in every way made blessed. Hence he says, As ye have been a curse, etc. Here again he mentions and reminds them how... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:14

Verse 14 The Prophet confirms the truth in the preceding verse, when he said that there would be a wholly different lot to the Jews, as they would in every way be blessed. He shows the cause of the change; for God would begin to favor them, who had been before displeased with them. We indeed know that the Holy Spirit everywhere calls men before God’s tribunal, that they may know that no adversity happens to them, except through their sins. So also in this place Zechariah reminds us, that God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:15

Verse 15 Now at the end of the verse the Prophet reminds us of the application of his doctrine, even to encourage the Jews, that they might go on with alacrity in the work of building the temple. But we have said that we ought to be armed with God’s promises, so that we may with courageous hearts follow wherever he may call us; for we shall all presently faint except we find that the hand of God is present with us. Since then we are by nature slothful and tender, and since inconstancy often... read more

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