The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 7:3
The priests. They were addressed as interpreters of the Law (see Haggai 2:11 , and note there). Which were in; rather, which belonged to. The prophets. Such as Zechariah, Haggai, and perhaps Malachi, through whom God communicated his will. Should I weep in the fifth month? The use of the first person singular to express a community or a people is not uncommon; here it means the Bethelites (comp. Numbers 20:18 , Numbers 20:19 ; Joshua 9:7 ; 1 Samuel 5:10 , 1 Samuel 5:11 ).... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 7:2
When they had sent unto the house of God. The Vulgate supports this version, Et miserunt ad domum Dei ; the LXX . gives, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν εἰς βαιθὴλ σαρασὰρ καὶ ἀρβεσεὲρ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ , "And Sarasar and Arbescer the king and his men sent to Bethel"—which is far from clear. But the temple is never called Beth-el, while a mission to the town Bethel would be unmeaning. So "Bethel" is to be taken as the subject of the sentence, thus: "Now Bethel... read more