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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 8:6

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:7

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold ,.... As being something wonderful, of great importance, and deserving attention: I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country ; this can not be understood of bringing those Jews that remained in Babylon, and other places, to their own land, for Babylon lay north of Judea; see Zechariah 6:6 , and as yet there were no Jews in the western part of the world; but now they are chiefly in the east and west, from whence they will... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:7

I will save my people from the east country, and from the west - From every land in which any of them may be found. But these promises principally regard the Christian Church, or the bringing in the Jews with the fullness of the Gentiles. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:7

Verse 7 He pursues the same subject, and introduces a preface, very necessary in so confused a state of things; for it was very difficult to raise up desponding minds and to inspire them with confidence, when pressed down with fear and trembling. This is the reason why Zechariah repeats so often, that he declared nothing but God’s commands only. Behold, he says, I will save, or deliver my people. As dispersion took away hope, the Prophet restores it, and says, that it would not be difficult to... 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

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