Zechariah 9:1-10:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 9:1-8

After the precious promises we had in the foregoing chapter of favour to God's people, their persecutors, who hated them, come to be reckoned with, those particularly that bordered close upon them. I. The Syrians had been bad neighbours to Israel, and God had a controversy with them. The word of the Lord shall be a burden in the land of Hadrach, that is, of Syria, but it does not appear why it was so called. That that kingdom is meant is plain, because Damascus, the metropolis of that kingdom,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 9:1

The burden of the word of the Lord ,.... A prophecy, as in Proverbs 31:1 which is sometimes of things sorrowful and distressing, as the destruction of people, as in Isaiah 31:1 and sometimes of things joyful, as in Zechariah 13:1 and here it contains good news to the church of Christ, Zechariah 9:9 , &c.; and is called a "burden", because the word of the Lord is often so to carnal men; see Jeremiah 23:33 the words may be rendered, a "declaration", or "a publication", of "the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 9:1

The burden of the word of the Lord - The oracle contained in the word which Jehovah now speaks. This is a prophecy against Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, and Sidon, which were to be subdued by Alexander the Great. After this the prophet speaks gloriously concerning the coming of Christ, and redemption by him. Most learned men are of opinion that this and the succeeding chapters are not the work of Zechariah, but rather of Jeremiah; Hosea, or some one before the captivity. It is certain... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 9:1

Verse 1 One thing had escaped my notice in the words of the Prophet — that great people and strong nations would come. We have said that “great” rather than “many” ought to be adopted. The latter meaning may indeed be allowed that the worshipers of God would come from various cities; but as the word עצומים, otsumim properly signifies strong, and as it is certain that the Prophet means the same thing by the two words, it is more probable that he speaks of strong and valiant people, as they are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 9:1

The burden (see note on Nahum 1:1 ). (On the circumstances connected with this prophecy, see Introduction, § I.) Destructive critics attribute ch. 9-11, to an anonymous prophet, whose utterances have been by mistake appended to the genuine work of Zechariah. We have given reasons for disputing this conclusion in the Introduction, § II . In ( upon ) the land of Hadrach. This expression is found nowhere else, and has occasioned great trouble to the commentators. But Assyrian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 9:1-6

A visitation of judgment. "The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach," etc. Whatever view is taken of the exact time of the fulfilment of the glorious promises with which the last chapter concludes, it was necessarily a time still future when those promises were uttered. Other things of a very different nature were first to occur. On some of these, accordingly, as constituting a kind of "burden" ( Zechariah 9:1 ) on some of the lands and people contiguous to Israel, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 9:1-8

§ 1. To prepare the land for Israel, and to prove God's care for his people, the neighbouring heathen shall be chastised, while Israel shall dwell in safety and independence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 9:1-8

God's judgments. I. THE DARK SIDE . "Burden." Word of ill omen to God's enemies. God's eye is on all. Storm gathering. Will soon burst in fury, just, universal, overwhelming. None so small as to be overlooked. None so great as to secure immunity. The wisdom of the wise, the resources of the rich, and the fame of ancient days will prove as vanity. II. THE BRIGHT SIDE . Eye of kindness. Hand of gracious interposition. Incorporation of Jews and Gentiles in one glorious Church.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 9:1-8

The dark and the bright side of God's revelation to mankind. "The burden of the word of the Lord," etc. This chapter begins that portion of the book whose genuineness, though denied by some, is accepted by most unbiassed expositors. As it is our main purpose, in preparing these sketches, to use the statements, whether prosaic or poetic, prophetic or historic, to illustrate truths of universal application, it comes not within our purpose to discuss the questions of genuineness,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 9:1

The burden - o of the word of the Lord in (or, upon) the land of Hadrach The foreground of this prophecy is the course of the Victories of Alexander, which circled round the holy land without hurting it, and ended in the overthrow of the Persian empire. The surrender of Damascus followed first, immediately on his great victory at the Issus; then Sidon yielded itself and received its ruler from the conqueror, Tyre he utterly destroyed; Gaza, we know, perished; he passed harmless by Jerusalem.... read more

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