Verse 4
From the house of Judah would come the cornerstone of the building (kingdom) He would build, namely, Messiah (cf. Zechariah 3:9; Genesis 49:10; Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Jeremiah 30:21; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:1-8). The cornerstone (Heb. pinnah) was a figure of a leader who would stabilize a nation and keep it from sliding down a slippery slope (cf. Judges 20:2; 1 Samuel 14:38; Isaiah 19:13). Messiah would also be like a tent peg (Heb. yathed) in that He would hold the tent (kingdom) firmly in place (cf. Judges 4:21-22; Isaiah 22:23-24; Acts 15:16). The Hebrew word also describes a peg inside a tent on which people hung beautiful things that glorified their homes (cf. Zechariah 6:13; Isaiah 22:22-24; Ezekiel 15:3). Messiah would also be Yahweh’s bow by which He would destroy His enemies (cf. Zechariah 9:13; Psalms 45:5; Revelation 19:11-16). All these figures picture the strong, stable, victorious, and trustworthy nature of Messiah’s rule.
"This verse constitutes one of the most far-reaching and meaningful Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament in which the seer summarizes a number of declarations by the former prophet [i.e., Isaiah], setting forth the character and ministry of Israel’s Redeemer-King." [Note: Unger, p. 177.]
From the house of Judah would also go forth (depart) every oppressing ruler (Heb. noges, cf. Zechariah 9:8; Exodus 3:7; Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 60:17; Daniel 11:20).
"Because the Messiah intervenes in the manner to be noted, every oppressor will depart from Judah. Cause and effect are clearly stated." [Note: Feinberg, God Remembers, p. 185.]
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