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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

God, by the prophet, here gives further assurances of the mercy he had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. Here is line upon line for their comfort, as before there was for their conviction. These verses contain strong encouragements with reference to the difficulties they now laboured under. And we may observe, I. Who they were to whom these encouragements did belong?to those who, in obedience to the call of God by his prophets, applied in good earnest to the building of the temple (Zech. 8:9):... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:9

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Let your hands be strong ,.... In going on with the building of the temple, which was typical of the church of God, since so many great and good things were promised by the Lord, Haggai 2:4 , ye that hear in these days ; such as Zerubbabel the ruler, Joshua the high priest, and the rest of the people of the land: these words by the mouth of the prophets ; that is, these prophecies of future good things, which were delivered by Haggai, Zechariah, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:10

For before these days ,.... That the temple began to be built: there was no hire for men, nor any hire for beasts ; that turned to any account; the wages earned by the one, and with the other, were as if they were put into a bag with holes, did not prosper with them, or do them any service, Haggai 1:6 , neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in, because of the affliction ; there was no safety in passing to and fro, nor any peaceable enjoyment of what a man had,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:9

By the mouth of the prophets - The day or time of the foundation was about two years before, as this discourse of the prophet was in the fourth year of Darius. After this God raised up prophets among them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:10

For before these days there was no hire for man - Previously to this, ye had no prosperity; ye had nothing but civil divisions and domestic broils. I abandoned you to your own spirits, and to your own ways. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:9

Verse 9 The Prophet having taught us that God was reconciled to his people, does now seasonably exhort the Jews to prepare themselves for work and strenuously to exert themselves in erecting the temple, and also in building the city: for as we have stated, many were then become slothful, as they thought that they were soon to be destroyed by their enemies, and that what they built with great labor, toil, and expense, would be presently demolished. Hence it was that sloth had crept in, so that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:10

Verse 10 It follows, For before these days there was no hire for man, and no hire for beast, no peace to passengers, because I had sent forth all men, each one against his friend. The Prophet mentions here, as I have already said, evidences of God’s curse, by which the Jews might have learnt that he was displeased with their neglect in disregarding the building of the temple, for while omitting that they paid attention to their domestic affairs. He therefore reminds them of what might have made... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-23

The future glory of the Church. God speaks. Formerly stern rebuke; here sweet encouragement. Glowing picture of the good time coming. I. GOD 'S ABIDING LOVE TO HIS CHURCH . There are times when it would seem as if God had cast off his people. "Has God forgotten to be gracious?" Here is the answer. "I am jealous," etc. There is real, intense, and abiding attachment. Words of good cheer verified by facts. "I am returned," etc. II. GOD 'S GRACIOUS PURPOSE TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:9

Let your hands be strong (comp. Haggai 2:15-19 ). Be of good courage for the work before you ( 7:11 ; Isaiah 35:3 ; Ezekiel 22:14 ). By ( from ) the mouth of the prophets, which were . Who came forward as prophets. These prophets, who prophesied after the foundations of the temple were laid, were Haggai and Zechariah; they are thus distinguished from the pre-exilian seers mentioned in Zechariah 7:7 . The same prophets who encouraged you in your work at first are they who have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-15

A Divine call to a Divine work. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words," etc, This paragraph is promising and cheerful; it is at once intended and suited to animate the builders of the temple and to stimulate them to resolute diligence in their work. It accords with that of Haggai (see Haggai 1:2-6 ; Haggai 2:15-19 ) respecting Heaven's displeasure at their apathy in God's work and their eagerness in their own. In the words we... read more

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