Zechariah 9:9

Zechariah 9:9 f. A short prophecy having no direct connexion with the preceding, which it resembles only in its poetical structure. Its tone is entirely different, being as free from thoughts of vengeance as Psalms 22. The poet looks forward to a king who will belong apparently not to the Maccabæ an, but to the Hasidæ an ( i.e. Hasidim, Psalms 4:3 *, see 1Ma_7:13 ) section of the Jewish community. The prophecy may probably be dated shortly after May 23, 141, when the citadel of Jerusalem surrendered. The writer who sees in recent events an earnest of complete Jewish independence, does not recognise any existing personage as king (render “ will come,” not “ cometh” ). The Hasidæ ans acquiesced in the High-priesthood of Simon only conditionally (see 1Ma_14:41 ). The king hoped for will be no military leader, and will ride not on a horse, the symbol of war, but on an ass. It will be his aim to abolish the equipment of war from Israel itself, and he will speak peace to the Gentiles; depending for safety on a force not his own, and even in his sovereignty not severing his connexion with the poor. The meaning of the curious elaboration given to the description of the animal ridden would be more apparent, if “ colt” and “ foal of an ass” were printed in inverted commas as a quotation of Genesis 49:11. They imply that the king, whose dominion will be as wide as the ideal dominion of David, will fulfil that prophecy. The mention of Ephraim to denote the northern parts of Israel (included in the jurisdiction of both Jonathan and Simon) is due to imitation of the phraseology of the older Scriptures.