Zechariah 12

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 12:1-14

Zechariah 12:1 . The burden of the word of the Lord. It was indeed a burden to pass the sentence of heaven against the infidels of Asia, under the names of Gog, Magog, and Meshech; the infidels of Africa, under the names of Ham and of Tarshish, or Carthage. Against the infidels of Europe, under the name of the isles of the gentiles, or the Greeks, and also the Goths. Herodotus notes, that our forefathers had no walled towns, but lived in light habitations. So the Medes found them, when they... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:1

Zechariah 12:1The burden of the Word of the Lord for Israel The burden and glory of God’s Word to IsraelGod presents Himself here as creating and speaking.It is to Israel that His Word is primarily addressed, for it is Israel that recognises His Word, and by Israel His Word is carried to the world, which thus becomes also Israel. Remember the meaning of the name, and its origin. Prince of God was the name which Jacob got from that long wrestling in the dark--Israel, prince of God, because he... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:2-3

Zechariah 12:2-3All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces Sin self-punishmentThere is in this passage a principle by which the governor of the world punishes malicious men.That principle is this, in the reaction of their efforts to injure others to injury of themselves. Jerusalem would become confusion and destruction to the men who sought its ruin.1. Jerusalem would become a “cup of trembling,” or “intoxication.”2. Jerusalem would become to them a “burdensome stone.”The idea... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:4-9

Zechariah 12:4-9In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment A good time for good peopleI.It is a time when their enemies shall be vanquished. “In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment,” etc.II. It is a time when their power shall be augmented. The power here promised is--1. The power of unity. “The governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God.”III. It is a... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:8

Zechariah 12:8In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem The security of the Church in the midst of dangersThere is not a greater miracle of preservation and security than that which is exhibited in the salvation of the Church in her present condition as surrounded by spiritual enemies.I. The promise. “In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”1. The defended. Jerusalem denotes the whole Church of Christ. It signifies the Christian.2. The time of their... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:9-11

Zechariah 12:9-11And I will pour upon the house of David The future outpouring of the Holy Spirit at JerusalemThe text informs us that Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Jews crucified, and whom for hundreds of years they have blasphemed, will yet upon these Jews pour His Holy Spirit, lead them to repentance, forgive their sin, and restore them to His favour.I. Ascertain the meaning of this prophecy. The Jews themselves allow that the passage refers to the Messiah; and in the Gospel by St. John the... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Zechariah 12:12

Zechariah 12:12And the land shall mourn, every family apart Personal and family fastingOn the pouring out of the Spirit the land is to mourn, every family apart, and their wives apart.The duties of fasting consist of--I. An external and circumstantial part.1. A proper time must be set apart for these duties. And this is to be regulated by Christian prudence, as best suits the circumstance of the person or family. As to the quantity of time to be spent in personal or family fasting and... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Zechariah 12:1

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Ver. 1. The burden of the word of the Lord ] That is, a declaration of his mind and counsel for Israel’s comfort and his enemies’ confusion. To the Israel of God it is onus sine onere, such a burden as the wings are to the bird, a burdenless burden. To the enemies, a burdensome stone, Zechariah 12:3 ,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Zechariah 12:2

Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah [and] against Jerusalem. Ver. 2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling ] Or, slumber, or poison. A metaphor taken from a cup of generous wine, but empoisoned; so that those that drink of it do presently tremble, grow giddy, sleepy, sick as hear can hold. Poison in wine works more furiously. Thou hast made us to drink the wine of giddiness,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Zechariah 12:3

Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Ver. 3. I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone ] Such a stone as that wherewith the woman brake Abimelech’s brain pan, at the tower of Thebez, Judges 9:53 . He had slain all his brethren upon one stone, Judges 9:5 , he receives, therefore, his death’s wound by a stone; and that by the... read more

Group of Brands