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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 8:17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour ,.... See Gill on Zechariah 7:10 hatred without a cause was a governing vice under the second temple, and Jarchi says was the cause of the destruction of it; see John 15:25 , and love no false oath ; whereby the character and property of a fellow creature are hurt; nor any vain one, which the Jews were addicted to, Matthew 5:34 , for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord ; as being contrary to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:17

Verse 17 He afterwards adds, And think not evil every one against his friend. Here the Prophet not only condemns open wrongs, but also the hidden purposes of evil. We hence learn, that the law was not only given to restrain men as it were by a bridle, and that it not only contains a rule of life as to outward duties, but that it also rules their hearts before God and angels. The law is indeed really spiritual; and extremely gross and foolish are they who think that they satisfy the law of... 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 8:9-17

§ 5. The people are exhorted to be of good cheer, for god will henceforth give them his blessing, which, however, was conditional on their obedience. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

Evidence of favour. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong," etc. In the beginning of these verses we have the opposite of that with which the previous verses concluded. There God confirmed his people in hoping for certain comparatively proximate blessings by assuring them of other and greater blessings which he designed afterwards to bestow. Here he confirms their hopes of what is more distant by pledging himself, as it were, to what is nearer. And this he does, we shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:16-23

A universal revival of genuine religion. "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour," etc. The whole of this paragraph may be taken as setting forth a universal revival of genuine religion; and, looking at it in this light, we have here two things: the essential prerequisites; and the signal manifestations of a universal revival of genuine religion. I. THE ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITES . We discover in these verses four prerequisites or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:17

Let none of you imagine (see note on Zechariah 7:10 , where these words occur). Love no false oath. The prevalent sins at this time were not idolatry, but cheating and lying and injustice, vices learned in the land of exile, where they had turned their energies to traffic and commerce (see Zechariah 5:2-4 , and note on Zechariah 5:3 there). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 8:17

For all these things do I hate - Literally, emphatic, “For they are all these things which I hate.” This is the sum of what I hate; for they comprise in brief the breaches of the two tables, the love of God and of man. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 8:16-17

Zechariah 8:16-17 . These are the things that ye shall do, &c. But these my promises of good to you are conditional, and the performance of them will depend upon your observing the laws of justice and righteousness; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour Let no one deceive another by guile or falsehood. Execute the judgment of truth True judgment; and peace in your gates Use all means to restore and establish peace among you. Or, Let those who have the administration of... read more

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