Zechariah 1:15 - Exposition

The heathen; the nations, who were God's instruments in punishing Israel. That are at ease. Living in proud security and self-enjoyment ( Isaiah 32:9 , Isaiah 32:11 ; Amos 6:1 ; comp. Amos 6:11 ). Septuagint, τὰ συνεπιτιθέμενα , "which join in attacking her;" Vulgate, opulentas, "wealthy," their riches giving them self-confidence. I was but a little displeased. God had been angry with his people, it is true, but only in measure, chastising them, like a parent, for their good. Others take "a little" ( parum , ὀλίγα ) to mean "for a little time," in allusion to the seventy years' captivity. And they helped forward the affliction; or, in the LXX ; συνεπέθεντο εἰς κακὰ , "helped for evil; "Vulgate, adjuverunt in malum. They exceeded their part as mere instruments in God's hands, and wished to destroy Israel altogether, or to oppress them beyond the purposed period of their chastisement. A similar complaint is made against the Assyrians ( Isaiah 10:5 , etc.) and the Babylonians ( Isaiah 47:6 ).