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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-8

The prophet, in his foregoing discourses, had left his hearers under a high charge of guilt and a deep sense of wrath; he had left them in a melancholy view of the desolations of their pleasant land, which was the effect of their fathers? disobedience; but because he designed to bring them to repentance, not to drive them to despair, he here sets before them the great things God had in store for them, encouraging them hereby to hope that their case of conscience would shortly determine itself... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:3

Thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Zion ,.... The temple being now building, and almost finished, and the worship of God restored in it. The Targum renders it, "I will return to Zion"; and it may refer to the time of Christ's incarnation, when the Redeemer came to Zion, Isaiah 59:20 or to the time of the conversion of the Jews in the latter day, of both which it is true; see Romans 11:26 , and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem : or "cause my Shechinah to dwell there", as the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:3

I am returned unto Zion - I have restored her from her captivity. I will dwell among them. The temple shall be rebuilt, and so shall Jerusalem; and instead of being false, unholy, and profligate, it shall be the city of truth. and my holy mountain. Truth shall dwell in it. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:3

Verse 3 The Prophet now more clearly explains what he intended; but it was necessary to preserve this order — that enemies were to be by force ejected from their possession, and the Church delivered, before God could dwell in the midst of it; for how could God have proved that Jerusalem was under his guardianship and protection without having first subdued its enemies? It was not then without reason that the Prophet commenced with this promise — that God was prepared for war, and was burning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-6

The blessed community of men yet to appear on the earth. "Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury," etc. This chapter does not commence a new subject, but continues the subject of the preceding one. The awful consequences of disregarding the will of Heaven had often been set forth by the prophets; and here, in this chapter, we have the assurance of the renewal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-8

§ 4. The Lord promises to show his love for Zion, to dwell among his people, and to fill Jerusalem with a happy lace. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-8

Assurance of favour. "Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me." When warning is carried too far, it degenerates into threatening, and defeats its own end, producing despair instead of desire to escape. It is probably on this account that the solemn warning with which Zechariah 7:1-14 . concludes gives place, in this chapter, to an animating series of encouragements and promises. (For somewhat similar transitions, see Hebrews 6:9 ; Isaiah 1:18 , etc.) In the verses now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-23

The future glory of the Church. God speaks. Formerly stern rebuke; here sweet encouragement. Glowing picture of the good time coming. I. GOD 'S ABIDING LOVE TO HIS CHURCH . There are times when it would seem as if God had cast off his people. "Has God forgotten to be gracious?" Here is the answer. "I am jealous," etc. There is real, intense, and abiding attachment. Words of good cheer verified by facts. "I am returned," etc. II. GOD 'S GRACIOUS PURPOSE TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:3

I am returned ( Zechariah 1:16 ); I return. When Jerusalem was taken and given over to the enemy, God seemed to have deserted her ( Ezekiel 10:18 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ); but new the restoration of the exiles, the rebuilding of the temple, the voice of prophecy, showed that the Lord had returned, and that new he will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem ( Zechariah 2:10 ). A city of truth; city of truth; no longer full of lies and treachery and infidelity. God dwelling therein, it shall... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 8:3

I am returned - Dionysius: “Without change in Myself, I am turned to that people from the effect of justice to the sweetness of mercy, “and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem,” in the temple and the people, indwelling the hearts of the good by charity and grace. Christ also, Very God and Very Man, visibly conversed and was seen in Zion.” Osorius: “When He says, ‘I am turned,’ He shows that she was turned too. He had said, “Turn unto Me and I will turn unto you;” otherwise she would not have... read more

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