Zechariah 8:18-23

Zechariah 8:18 is identical with Zechariah 8:1.

19. The fast of the fourth month The fast kept in commemoration of the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar on the ninth day of the fourth month (Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:7).

Fifth… seventh See on Zechariah 7:4.

Tenth A fast held to commemorate the beginning of the siege on the tenth day of the tenth month (Jeremiah 39:1; 2 Kings 25:1).

Joy… gladness,… cheerful feasts The seasons commemorating the darkest events of Jewish history will become occasions of joy and festivity, because the new blessings of the divine grace will be so rich and so superior to those of the past that the Jews will entirely forget the sorrows of the past. But these blessings can be experienced only if the conditions laid down in Zechariah 8:16-17 are met, some of which the prophet reiterates.

Love the truth and peace They must exert their efforts on behalf of truthfulness and concord (see on Zechariah 8:16).

Zechariah 8:20-23 indicate the magnitude of the future glory. The manifestations of Jehovah will be so marvelous that they will impress even foreign nations with the reality of the power and supremacy of Jehovah, and will attract them to Jerusalem, where they may properly worship him (compare Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-4; Jeremiah 16:19).

People Better, R.V., “peoples”; that is, whole nations. Many cities Scattered throughout many lands. For “many” margin suggests “great,”

that is, populous. Zechariah 8:21 describes the enthusiasm with which people will exhort one another to seek Jehovah (compare Isaiah 2:3).

Pray R.V., “entreat the favor.” See on Zechariah 7:2.

Seek Jehovah As in Amos 5:4 (see there).

I will go also Not an expression of determination on the part of Zechariah to go to Zion to witness the glorious scenes, but the reply of the other city to the exhortation of the first.

Zechariah 8:22 is an emphatic repetition of the thought of Zechariah 8:21, as is also Zechariah 8:23. The Jews, now despised by the surrounding nations, will be honored in that day as mediators between these very nations and Jehovah, and they will be entreated by the former to secure the favor of their God. In great numbers the foreigners will crowd around the Jews, anxious to be admitted into fellowship with them, so that through them they may be admitted into fellowship with Jehovah.

Ten men An expression denoting an indefinite, moderately large number, like seven in Isaiah 4:1, and the colloquial a dozen.

Shall take hold Repeated for the sake of emphasis (compare Zechariah 6:10-11); anxiously they will press forward to take hold.

All languages Should perhaps be read, “from all languages and all nations” (compare Isaiah 66:18); from nations speaking many different languages.

Skirt Literally, wing (compare Haggai 2:12); equivalent to border of the garment (Matthew 9:20).

We will go Better, cohortative, let us go.

We have heard Through the mighty works of Jehovah.

God Since the speakers are foreigners, they do not use the covenant name Jehovah.