(5) For shall be, read are. The strength of the fortress of Jerusalem should be the saving of Judah, but that strength would depend on the protection of “the Lord of Hosts, their God.” read more
Confirmation Zechariah 12:8 There are two great senses in which we may take the verse; both equally true: both very, though not perhaps equally, comforting. I. 'He that is feeble among them shall be as David.' The promise is to you; and so it had need to be. You, in all your infirmity you, so unequally matched with the prince of the power of this world a feeble soldier on one side, on the other, principalities, and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high... read more
8. JUDAH VERSUS JERUSALEMZechariah 12:1-7A title, though probably of later date than the text, introduces with the beginning of chapter 12 an oracle plainly from circumstances different from those of the preceding chapters. The nations, not particularized as they have been, gather to the siege of Jerusalem, and, very singularly, Judah is gathered with them against her own capital. But God makes the city like one of those great boulders, deeply embedded, which husbandmen try to pull up from... read more
THE CONTENTS OF "ZECHARIAH"Chapters 9-14FROM the number of conflicting opinions which prevail upon the subject, we have seen how impossible it is to decide upon a scheme of division for "Zechariah" 9-14. These chapters consist of a number of separate oracles, which their language and general conceptions lead us on the whole to believe were put together by one hand, and which, with the possible exception of some older fragments, reflect the troubled times in Palestine that followed on the... read more
II. The Second Burden of Zechariah (12-14) CHAPTER 12 1. Jerusalem’s conflict and victory (Zechariah 12:1-9 ) 2. The vision of the pierced One and its results (Zechariah 12:10-14 ) Zechariah 12:1-9 . The second burden begins with this chapter. It is wholly unfulfilled with the exception of the prophecy at the end of chapter 13 concerning the Shepherd who was smitten. The great future events recorded in these closing chapters of Zechariah are the following: The victory of Jerusalem, the... read more
12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The {c} inhabitants of Jerusalem [shall be] my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.(c) Every captain, that had many under him before, will now think that the small power of Jerusalem will be sufficient to defend them against all enemies, because the Lord is among them. read more
The Deliverance of Judah and Jerusalem (vv. 1-9) In this chapter Judah is mentioned five times, Jerusalem ten times. All in this chapter (as well as chapters 13 and 14) is prophetic of the future, except for the reference inZechariah 13:7; Zechariah 13:7 to the smiting of God's Shepherd, the death of Christ, which is plainly connected with the entire prophecy. This is "the burden of the word of the Lord for Israel," for the whole nation will be involved, though Judah is seen to be the... read more
END THE AGE , OPEN THE MILLENNIUM It was stated that the first part of the book, chapters 1-8, referred chiefly, though not entirely, to the prophet’s own time. The basis of all the prophecies in that part had a historical relation to the period then present. They were uttered, to encourage the people in rebuilding the temple. And yet there is not one of them that did not take cognizance of the far future. The discourses of this, the second part, deal almost entirely with the future. It... read more
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. 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. 4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Zechariah 12:4
(4) Horse—viz., of the enemy. (Comp. Deuteronomy 28:28 with Deuteronomy 30:7.)Open mine eyes.—Comp. 1 Kings 8:29. read more