Zechariah 2:6-9

6. Ho, ho The Hebrew word is translated also “woe” or “alas”; it is more than a call to attention; it always expresses a feeling of pain on the part of the speaker, arising from compassion with those who are addressed.

Flee The time of restoration has come, when Jehovah will send judgment upon their present abode.

The land of the north Babylonia, the land of exile (Zechariah 2:7; compare Jeremiah 3:12; Jeremiah 3:18; Jeremiah 23:8; see on Joel 2:20).

I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven The more important of the numerous interpretations suggested for these words are: (1) Spread out =scatter (in exile), as the four winds =to the four winds, that is, in every direction; the whole clause referring to the past judgment upon the Jews, by which they were scattered in every direction; now the prophet urges them to return from these places. This interpretation would make the land of the north, as the land of exile, practically equivalent to the four winds of heaven, an identification which may not be altogether impossible, but which is highly improbable. Another objection is the presence of the preposition as, which cannot be used in the sense of to (compare Ezekiel 17:21; LXX. reads “from”; see below).

(2) On the assumption that the present text is correct, a more satisfactory interpretation, which retains the natural meaning of the words, regards the tense as the so-called prophetic perfect, used by the prophet because he “so transposes himself in imagination into the future that he describes the future event as if it had been already seen or heard by him” (G.-K., 106n). With this interpretation the clause supplies the reason for the appeal. The people are to flee because Jehovah does not want them to perish with their captors; he has decreed to make of them a great nation, whose influence will be felt everywhere, just as the winds of heaven blow in every direction. LXX. offers a slightly different reading, which suits the context very well, “for I will gather you from the four winds of heaven,” that is, from every direction; a promise found frequently in the Old Testament. The beginning is to be made in Babylon.

The appeal is repeated in Zechariah 2:7 in a slightly different form.

Zion Understood ordinarily as a vocative, equivalent to inhabitant of Zion; applied here to those who still dwell in the land of exile, called in Zechariah 2:10 “daughter of Zion.” LXX. takes “Zion” as an accusative of direction to Zion; the whole clause, “escape to Zion.” If “to Zion” is read with LXX., Zechariah 2:7 carries further the thought of Zechariah 2:6. The exiles are to escape from Babylon to Zion. This translation necessitates a change in the verb forms of Zechariah 2:7, which are in the feminine singular; if they are co-ordinated with “flee” in Zechariah 2:6 the masculine plural must be read. Since the common translation does not require any change, it should probably be retained.

With the daughter of Babylon Among the inhabitants of Babylon. If interpreted like the common phrase daughter of Zion, the phrase used here might mean either the city of Babylon without its inhabitants (compare Lamentations 2:8), or the inhabitants without the city (compare Micah 4:10), or the city including its inhabitants (so most frequently); here the emphasis seems to be on dwelling among the inhabitants.

Zechariah 2:8-9 give one reason why they are to flee: Jehovah is about to execute judgment upon the oppressors. Zechariah 2:8 is one of the verses that try the patience and skill of commentators, more especially the clause, “after the glory hath he sent me.” With these words omitted the meaning becomes clear. Jehovah is sending a message of judgment to the nations, because they have “touched” his dearest possession.

Toucheth Roughly, for the purpose of inflicting pain and suffering.

The apple of his eye Literally, door of his eye; a different word is used in Deuteronomy 32:10, where the same idea is expressed. The reference is to the pupil of the eye, which is peculiarly sensitive to the slightest touch; so Jehovah is very sensitive to any wrong inflicted upon his people.

After the glory hath he sent me These words have proved a puzzle to all commentators. To enumerate the various interpretations suggested would take up considerable space, while nothing would be gained by it. If the words are original it seems best to regard not only the words quoted but the entire sentence, “After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you,” as a parenthetical clause, spoken by the prophet. In Zechariah 2:6-7 he has addressed the exiles, in Zechariah 2:8-9 he announces judgment upon the nations; parenthetically he exclaims, I have a message not only to you exiles, but also to the nations who are oppressing you. The glory after which the speaker is sent must be understood as the fame or honor which comes to a messenger when his words are fulfilled; by the fulfillment the prophet will be attested as a true and reliable messenger of Jehovah. In the Messages of the Prophets the first part is paraphrased “the fulfillment of the prediction will bring honor to me” (compare Isaiah 8:18). The meaning remains practically the same if the words are interpreted as a relative clause, “who sent me after glory.…” The expression to send after glory is peculiar in this connection; the words may be out of place, or the text may have suffered corruption.

The message of judgment is contained in Zechariah 2:9.

For Hebrews ki; should be left untranslated; it simply introduces the direct address, like the Greek οτι (G.-K., 157b).

I will shake Better, I am about to shake. The Hebrew construction calls attention to the imminence of the event (G.-K., 116p.). Shake the hand is equivalent to strike (Isaiah 11:15; Isaiah 19:16).

A spoil to their servants R.V., “to those that served them.” The judgment will be according to the lex talionis. The nations have enslaved the Jews; when Jehovah interferes the Jews will enslave the nations.

Ye shall know The exiles, for whose encouragement even the words of judgment against the nations are uttered. When the nations are overthrown these exiles will be convinced that the prophet is a messenger of Jehovah, and they will be ready to place confidence in his other utterances.