Zechariah 8:22-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:18-23

Pre-eminent favour. "And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month," etc. The close of this chapter gives an answer at length to the question asked in Zechariah 7:3 . And this answer consists—unlike the intervening stream of mingled denunciation, warning, and encouragement of an almost unbroken outburst of promise and hope. The only apparent exception, in fact, is to be found in the six brief words of admonition at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:22

Many people ( peoples ) and strong nations . This explains Zechariah 8:20 more fully. The Jews were not actuated by the missionary spirit, yet even before Christ's advent their religion had spread into all parts of the world, as we see from the catalogue of proselytes in Acts 2:9-11 . Intimations of the same fact are given in Ezra 6:21 ; Esther 8:17 . To seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem; i.e. to keep the solemn festivals observed there (comp. Isaiah 2:2 ; Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:23

Ten men. The number ten is used for a large indefinite number (comp. Genesis 31:7 ; Le Genesis 26:26 ; 1 Samuel 1:8 ). Out of all languages ( the languages ) of the nations. The diversity of languages shall not hinder the unity in the faith (comp. Isaiah 66:18 ; Revelation 5:9 ; Revelation 7:9 ). Shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew. Taking hold of the skirt implies a desire to share the privileges, and to be united in fellowship with (comp. Isaiah 4:1 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:23

Right representation. Much depends on whether religion is rightly represented. In order to be attractive, the representation should be— I. AGREEABLE TO REASON . An irrational religion cannot stand. Christ and his apostles constantly appeal to the moral judgment. II. CONGRUOUS TO MAN 'S NECESSITIES . There is a certain condition of things. The feeling and the cry of sin. The craving for reconciliation with God. Aspirations after holiness. The longing for confirmed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 8:23

Ten men of all languages of the nations - Ten is the symbol of a whole, all the numbers before it meeting in it and starting again from it. The day of Pentecost was to be the reversal of the confusion of Babel; all were to have one voice, as God had said, “It (the time) shall come to gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see My glory” Isaiah 66:18.They shall lay hold of the skirt of one man who is a Jew - Jerome: “That is, of the Lord and Saviour, of whom it is said, “A prince... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 8:20-22

Zechariah 8:20-22. It shall yet come to pass, &c. The design of this and the three following verses is evidently to show the high degree of estimation in which Jerusalem and the Jews would hereafter be held, by foreign nations, when those among them, who were piously disposed to worship Jehovah the true God, would come to worship him at Jerusalem, as a place of peculiar sanctity; and those who wanted protection would humbly sue to the Jews for it, convinced that the men of that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 8:23

Zechariah 8:23. In those days ten men That is, many men, a definite number being put for an indefinite. Out of all languages of the nations From many different and remote countries, no nation being any longer excluded; shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew Christians are sometimes called by the name of Jews, as being confessors of the true religion, and those to whom the promises, made to the fathers of the Jewish nation, chiefly belong. In this sense especially the word is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-23

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Zechariah 8:23

those days . The fulfilment of this still future. men . Hebrew, plural of enosh. App-14 . you : i.e. with God's People Israel. that. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "that" in the text. Supply the Ellipsis (will be the time] that. " read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Zechariah 8:22

"Yea, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek Jehovah of hosts, and to entreat the favor of Jehovah. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."This is but a continuation of the prophecy of the previous two verses regarding the worldwide multiplication of followers of... read more

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