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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 8:4

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... These words are used at every consolatory promise given, as Kimchi observes, for the confirmation of it: there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem ; signifying that the inhabitants should be very healthful; no sweeping disease or calamity should be among them, but they should live to a good old age, as follows: and every man with his staff in his hand for very age ; or "because of multitude of days" F9 מרב ימים ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:5

And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls ,.... Denoting a large increase of inhabitants, in a literal sense; and may spiritually signify the large numbers of converts, of new born babes, who are regenerated by the grace and Spirit of God, and are accounted of by the Lord for a generation: playing the streets thereof ; being in health and rigour, and in great security. The Targum renders it, "singing" or "praising in the spacious places thereof"; singing the praises of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:6

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... This is repeated for the same end as before; See Gill on Zechariah 8:4 , If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days ; either in the then present days and time; and the sense is, if it should seem wonderful, incredible, and scarcely possible to the small number of the Jews in Judea, that all the great and good things before promised should be fulfilled; or in the times of the Gospel, when the remnant, according to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:4

There shall yet old men and old women - In those happy times the followers of God shall live out all their days, and the hoary head be always found in the way of righteousness. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:5

The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls - The progeny shall be numerous, healthy, and happy. Their innocent gambols and useful exercises shall be a means of health, and a proof of happiness. To be healthy, children must have exercise. But they cannot take exercise, except in the way of play and diversion: ergo, such playfulness cannot be sinful. Let them be kept from evil words, lying, swearing, and scurrility; and all the rest may be innocent. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:6

If it be marvellous - You may think that this is impossible, considering your present low condition: but suppose it be impossible in your eyes, should it be so in mine! saith the Lord of hosts. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:4

Verse 4 He confirms what we have already stated, that the Jews would be safe under the hand and protection of God, as he would dwell among them. The cause of a safe and quiet state he made to be the presence of God. For when we have peace with the whole world, we may yet disturb one another, except the God of peace restrains us; inasmuch as mutual and intestine discord may harass us, though we may be spared by external enemies. It is then necessary in the first place, that the God of peace and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:5

Verse 5 He repeats and confirms the same thing by another representation — that boys and girls would play in the streets and on the public roads, which could not be during the troublous time of war; for when arms clatter, the sound of trumpets is heard, and assaults of enemies are dreaded, every one keeps his children at home, and in public there is sad confusion, and few are found abroad; in short there is no cheerfulness even in children when fear is hanging over them. We hence see, that what... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:6

Verse 6 He sharply reproves here the lack of faith in the people; for as men are wont to measure whatever is promised by their own understanding, the door of entrance for these prophecies was nearly closed up when they saw that the fury of their enemies could by no means be pacified. They had indeed tried in various ways to check them, or at least to conciliate them; and we know that many edicts had been proclaimed in favor of the Jews by the kings of Persia; but such was the common hatred to... read more

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