What is the breadth thereof. The man measures to see what shall be the dimensions of the restored city, for from Zechariah 2:12 it is apparent that the building is not yet completed, nor are we to think that the rebuilding of the material ruined walls is meant. read more
A man with a measuring line in his hand - Probably the Angel of the Lord, of whom Ezekiel has a like vision. Jerome: “He who before, when he lift up his eyes, had seen in the four horns things mournful, now again lifts up his eves to see a man, of whom it is written, “Behold a man whose name is the Branch” Zechariah 6:12; of whom we read above, “Behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees, which were in the bottom” Zechariah 1:8. Of whom too the Father saith; He... read more
Zechariah 2:1-5. I lifted up mine eyes, &c., and behold a man An angel in the form of a man, probably representing Nehemiah, under whose direction the wall was rebuilt, according to the ancient line marked out by the ruins. See Nehemiah 3:0., &c, &c. And the angel that talked with me went forth Went away from me, as if he had performed his commission in regard to me, and was to commune with me no longer. And another angel went out to meet him But, as he was going away, I saw... read more
Encouragement to the builders (1:7-2:13)In the first vision some mounted patrol officers have just returned from a tour of duty and report to a rider on a red horse who is standing among some trees (7-10). The patrol officers report that throughout the empire all is calm and peaceful (11).This report may be good news for the Persians but it is not for the Jews, who have now been in bondage to foreign overlords for more than seventy years. They long for freedom and pray for God’s mercy (12-13).... read more
behold Figure of speech Asterismos App-6 . man Hebrew. 'ish App-14 . Either the same or another angel. a measuring line. See note on Zechariah 1:16 and Compare Zechariah 2:2 read more
Jerusalem. With 'eth . See note on Zechariah 1:19 . read more
This chapter has the vision of a man with a measuring line, a vision which is number three in a series of eight. Evidently, the purpose of this vision was merely to suggest, rather than to demonstrate, the dimensions of the Jerusalem to be measured, as no measurements appear to have been either made or delivered to the prophet.In this vision, the meaning of it was given by Zechariah in the last half of the chapter (Zechariah 2:6-13). The Jerusalem which is revealed is not the physical Jerusalem... read more
"Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof."This emphasizes the purpose of the vision, the portrayal of the unlimited, glorious extent of God's city. This was not done by the announcement of any dimensions, but by a heavenly interruption that revealed the utter impossibility of measuring the city. No attempted "measuring" ever took place."To measure Jerusalem ..." That this is impossible of any... read more
1. man with a measuring-line—the same image to represent the same future fact as in Ezekiel 40:3; Ezekiel 47:4. The "man" is Messiah (see on Zechariah 1:8), who, by measuring Jerusalem, is denoted as the Author of its coming restoration. Thus the Jews are encouraged in Zechariah's time to proceed with the building. Still more so shall they be hereby encouraged in the future restoration. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 2:1-13
§ 5. The third vision: the man with the measuring line. read more