Let none of you imagine (see note on Zechariah 7:10 , where these words occur). Love no false oath. The prevalent sins at this time were not idolatry, but cheating and lying and injustice, vices learned in the land of exile, where they had turned their energies to traffic and commerce (see Zechariah 5:2-4 , and note on Zechariah 5:3 there). read more
These are the things that ye shall do - He exhorts them to the same duties, to which the former prophets had exhorted their fathers, Zechariah 7:9-10, and, as before, first positively to truth and peace; then to avoid everything contrary to it. “Judgment of peace” must be judgment which issues in peace, as all righteous judgment righteously received, in which case each party acquiesces, must. Kimchi: “If ye judge righteousness, there will be peace between the litigants, according to that... read more
For all these things do I hate - Literally, emphatic, “For they are all these things which I hate.” This is the sum of what I hate; for they comprise in brief the breaches of the two tables, the love of God and of man. read more
Zechariah 8:16-17 . These are the things that ye shall do, &c. But these my promises of good to you are conditional, and the performance of them will depend upon your observing the laws of justice and righteousness; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour Let no one deceive another by guile or falsehood. Execute the judgment of truth True judgment; and peace in your gates Use all means to restore and establish peace among you. Or, Let those who have the administration of... read more
Confidence for the future (8:1-23)Zechariah goes on to outline the blessings that will come to Jerusalem when God dwells there. God’s love for Jerusalem was the reason why he punished it so severely. With corresponding zeal he will restore it to a favoured place according to his covenant promises (8:1-3).In the new community of God’s people, there will be no place for fear or violence. Old and young alike will enjoy lives of freedom and contentment greater than they imagined possible (4-6).... read more
Speak , &c. Compare Zechariah 8:19 ; Zechariah 7:9 . every man . Hebrew ' ish . App-14 . execute , &c. See note on Zechariah 7:9 . read more
evil. Hebrew. ra a '. App-44 love no false oath. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:3 ; Leviticus 19:12 ). all these are things that I hate. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "all these things do I hate". read more
"These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates; and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith Jehovah."The effect of these verses is merely that of emphasizing the truth that all blessings of God are contingent upon his servants receiving and obeying the commandments God has given. All the ethical and moral... read more
Zechariah 8:17. And let none of you imagine evil— And let none of you devise in your heart the hurt of his neighbour, &c. It is worthy of observation, that the prophet here not only condemns evil actions, but evil intentions; devise not evil in your hearts. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:16-23
A universal revival of genuine religion. "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour," etc. The whole of this paragraph may be taken as setting forth a universal revival of genuine religion; and, looking at it in this light, we have here two things: the essential prerequisites; and the signal manifestations of a universal revival of genuine religion. I. THE ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITES . We discover in these verses four prerequisites or... read more