12-14. A universal and an individual mourning at once. David . . . Nathan—representing the highest and lowest of the royal order. Nathan, not the prophet, but a younger son of David (2 Samuel 5:14; Luke 3:31). apart—Retirement and seclusion are needful for deep personal religion. wives apart—Jewish females worship separately from the males (Exodus 15:1; Exodus 15:20). read more
13. Levi . . . Shimei—the highest and lowest of the priestly order (Numbers 3:18; Numbers 3:21). Their example and that of the royal order would of course influence the rest. read more
14. All . . . that remain—after the fiery ordeal, in which two-thirds fall (Zechariah 13:8; Zechariah 13:9). read more
B. The burden concerning Israel: the advent and acceptance of Messiah chs. 12-14This last section of the book contrasts initial judgments on Israel with ultimate deliverance, restoration, and blessing."As a portion of the prophetic Scriptures it is second to none in importance in this book or in any other Old Testament book. It is indispensable to an understanding of the events of the last days for Israel-the time of the Great Tribulation and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth." [Note:... read more
"The burden . . . concerning Israel" introduces chapters 12-14 as "The burden . . . against the land of Hadrach" (Zechariah 9:1) did chapters 9-11. By describing Yahweh as the creator of the heavens, earth, and man, Zechariah reminded his audience of God’s authority and ability to accomplish what He predicted in this three-chapter oracle. He is the master over all things celestial, terrestrial, and human."Here at the brink of a new age it is important to know that the same God who brought... read more
Israel’s deliverance 12:1-9 read more
The Lord would make Jerusalem like a cup of strong wine to the nations; when they tried to consume Jerusalem (a metonymy for all Israel), it would cause them to reel. Jerusalem had previously drunk the cup of the Lord’s wrath (Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22; Jeremiah 25:15-17; Jeremiah 25:28), but now it was the nations’ turn to drink it. Their siege of Jerusalem would extend to all the surrounding territory of Judah. The time in view is after the Lord regathered the Israelites to their land (ch.... read more
Jerusalem would also be like a heavy stone "in that day" when the nations tried to carry it away; they would injure themselves when they tried to do so. In that day all the nations of the earth would gather together against Jerusalem (cf. Zechariah 14:2; Joel 3:9-16; Revelation 16:16-21).". . . even if all the peoples of the earth should attempt to conquer Jerusalem, they will turn away, bloodied by their futile efforts." [Note: McComiskey, p. 1210.] read more
The Lord would cause the weapons that Israel’s enemies used to destroy the city to be ineffective, and He would make the hostile soldiers crazy (cf. Deuteronomy 28:28; Judges 5:22). In this way He would watch over the house of Judah (the Israelites; cf. Psalms 32:8; Psalms 33:18). read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 12:11
11. As in :- the bitterness of their mourning is illustrated by a private case of mourning, so in this verse by a public one, the greatest recorded in Jewish history, that for the violent death in battle with Pharaoh-necho of the good King Josiah, whose reign had been the only gleam of brightness for the period from Hezekiah to the downfall of the state; lamentations were written by Jeremiah for the occasion (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Kings 23:30; 2 Chronicles 35:22-27). Hadad-rimmon—a place or city in... read more