Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 12:1

Zechariah 12:1 a is an editorial heading probably added when the two collections Zechariah 9-11, Zechariah 12-14 were appended to the earlier book of Zechariah. The text of this section is corrupt in places, but the sense is on the whole clear. We have reference both to the earlier days of the struggle, when Jerusalem was in the hands of the Hellenisers and the heathen, while the Maccabees, who derived their forces from the country districts, were fighting against the Syro-Greek government,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:1

The burden of the word of the Lord: see this whole passage Zechariah 9:1. For Israel; or touching, concerning, as the Gallic version; upon, against, the Hebrew bears it; and some take it in one, some in the other sense, though I think the main of the chapter persuades it is to be rendered, for, in the behalf of Israel, i.e. the church of Christ among the Jews until their rejection, and among the Gentiles ever since their vocation; both have their concern in the things here foretold. Saith the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:2

I will make Jerusalem; that weak, unwalled, poor, and thinly inhabited city, type of the church; and much more the church, which is antitype to Jerusalem. A cup of trembling; they shall drink their own bane whose swords be drinking the blood of the inhabitants of this Jerusalem; there is poison mixed in the cup of the wrath of God, which he will put into the hands of such wicked ones, and they must drink it off. Unto all the people round about; to the heathen round about, to all of them; all... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:3

In that day; in the times of the heathens afflicting the church, from the repair of Jerusalem till Christ’s coming in the flesh, and in succeeding times since; but the day of the full accomplishment of this prophecy is a day known to the Lord. A burdensome stone; too heavy for them, though many join together to remove it. For all people; though all people of this known world should burden themselves with her. Shall be cut in pieces: they would be crushed to pieces, as a man that falls under a... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:4

In that day: see Zechariah 4:3. I will smite every horse: horses are of very great use in wars; they were the main strength of Antiochus Epiphanes, his best preparations. With astonishment; a dull, sottish fear and perplexity. And his rider with madness; an impotency of mind both in the understanding, which is folly and imprudence, and in the will and resolution, which is either cowardice or unconstancy, like madmen that neither know how to resolve or act. God will turn all their counsel into... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:5

The governors of Judah, the counsellors and rulers at home, and the leaders and captains abroad, the Maccabees and others, every one for himself, shall say in their heart; shall think, believe, and reckon upon it, and be hearty in it. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, though but few and poor, yet they shall be my strength: and these shall be ready and forward to go forth against their enemies, with a handful of men to encounter mighty and numerous armies, because their strength and help lieth in... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:6

The governors: see Zechariah 12:5. Like a hearth of fire; a hearth on which fire is thoroughly kindled. Among the wood; the more is laid on, the more is consumed and burnt up: so the enemies of Judah and Jerusalem shall be, their multitudes shall no more save themselves than much wood cast on a great fire in the hearth can preserve itself. Like a torch of fire in a sheaf; which immediately sets the whole sheaf on fire, and it is consumed. They shall devour, & c.; the governors of Judah with... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 12:7

Shall save; rescue from the power and rage of the Antiochuses, nay, subdue their armies, and put them to flight before the Jews. The tents; the unfenced places, the open country, the shepherd-like cottages or tents of Judah. Of Judah first; before he saveth Jerusalem, before he put Jerusalem into arms, or bring her inhabitants into the field, to fight, and help the country and its inhabitants; first the weaker are saved, next the stronger. That the glory of the house of David, that the... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Zechariah 12:1-4

CRITICAL NOTES.] This chapter begins the first half of the second prophecy concerning Israel’s future and the nations of the world. The conflict against Jerusalem and Judah will issue in the destruction of the enemies (Zechariah 12:1-4). Burden] Implying distress to Israel and destruction to their foes; explained by reference to God’s creative power, which removes all doubt concerning the thing predicted. Zechariah 12:2. Cup] Causing those who drink to reel; a symbol of Divine judgments, which... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Zechariah 12:5-9

CRITICAL NOTES.] Zechariah 12:5. Judah] Chiefs of Judah will see the foe smitten with madness, and recognize in the repulse of the enemy by the metropolis Divine security for the country. Zechariah 12:6. Sheaf] In consequence of this trust in God the leaders consume their foes on every hand, as a basin of fire devours faggots, or a torch consumes sheaves. Jerusalem] i.e. the inhabitants. Again] After complete rout of the enemy shall dwell in (Jerusalem) peace. Zechariah 12:7. Tents], shifting... read more

Group of Brands