Zechariah 9:1-4

1. Burden For the meaning of the word see on Nahum 1:1. Its construction in the sentence is obscure. The English translation makes it a part of the title (compare Zechariah 12:1), “The burden of the word of Jehovah in [better, R.V., “upon”] the land of Hadrach”; the rest of the verse it takes as the beginning of the oracle itself. But even the English reader can see that the result is an exceedingly awkward sentence. It seems better to take “burden,” which is without article in Hebrew, by itself as the title, “A burden,” or “An oracle,” and to begin the oracle itself with “The word of Jehovah.” In 1b the translation of margin R.V. is to be preferred. With these changes Zechariah 9:1 will read, “An oracle: The word of Jehovah shall be upon the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be its resting place; for Jehovah hath an eye upon men and upon all the tribes of Israel.” The title may not be in its original form; with “burden” or “oracle” may have been connected originally the name of the author and, perhaps, of the subject of the prophecy; but these names had disappeared when the oracle fell into the hands of the compiler (p. 589).

The word of Jehovah See on Hosea 1:1.

Hadrach In ancient and even more recent times, previously to the discoveries of archaeology, Hadrach received various interpretations; some took it as a name of the Messiah, some as the name of an otherwise unknown Syrian king, or of a deity; but archaeology has placed it beyond reasonable doubt that it is the name of a city called Hatarika in the Assyrian inscriptions, mentioned in connection with Damascus and other cities of Syria; hence it is quite likely that it should be located in the north. Well-hausen suggests the region around the later Antioch.

Damascus See on Amos 1:3. Its resting place (R.V.) Damascus is the goal of the divine word of judgment; there it will fall with destructive force.

The rest of the verse appears to be a parenthetical clause, stating the reason why the word has gone forth. As already indicated, the marginal translation is to be preferred. Jehovah hath an eye (margin R.V.) Nothing is hidden from the eyes of Jehovah, hence he knows what each individual nation deserves.

Man… Israel His interest is world-wide, it is not confined to Israel (Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 32:19-20). In this case he has seen the wrong done by men to Israel, therefore he will send judgment upon the evil doers, represented by Hadrach and Damascus. Though this interpretation is not impossible, the text of 1b is considered corrupt by many commentators, and various emendations have been suggested. Instead of man, Hebrews adham, many read Syria, Hebrews aram, which involves the interchange of two letters which are not infrequently confused in the Old Testament; for eyes many read cities or people, which again involves only a slight change. With these changes 1b would read, “For Jehovah’s are the cities (or people) of Syria as well as all the tribes of Israel.” These emendations would not alter the thought materially. Some go further; they omit “as well as all the tribes of Israel,” and join the remaining words of 1b closely with Zechariah 9:2: “For Jehovah’s are the cities of Syria, and Hamath also, which bordereth thereon”; which gives good sense. The present Hebrew text of Zechariah 9:1 sounds rather peculiar, and it may be corrupt, but, if so, it is not possible to speak with certainty concerning its original form. Marti reads Zechariah 9:1-2 as follows: “Burden of the word of Jehovah: Jehovah is in Hadrach, and Damascus is his resting place; for Jehovah’s are the cities of Syria, and Hamath also which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.”

If the present text is retained Zechariah 9:2 is the continuation of 1a. Hamath also shall be the resting place of the word of Jehovah.

Hamath See on Amos 6:2 (compare Ezekiel 47:16).

Tyrus [“Tyre”]… Zidon The two chief cities of Phoenicia (see on Joel 3:4; compare Amos 1:9; Ezekiel 26:2; Ezekiel 28:21).

Though it be very wise R.V., “because they are very wise.” The latter expresses the thought that the boast in their great wisdom (Ezekiel 28:1 ff.) provokes the divine judgment; A.V., on the other hand, expresses the idea that all their wisdom will not be sufficient to save them. R.V. is more accurate and is favored by the context. The latter is undoubtedly right in applying wise to both cities (so LXX.), though the Hebrew text applies it only to Zidon.

Tyre was the more important of the two; during the greater part of Phoenician history it was the real capital and representative of Phoenicia (compare Amos 1:9), therefore it alone is spoken of in Zechariah 9:3-4. In Zechariah 9:3 is given an illustration of the wisdom of Tyre.

A stronghold According to ancient testimony Tyre was built originally on the mainland; later it was transferred to a neighboring rocky island (compare Ezekiel 26:3-4), where it was strongly fortified, so that it became almost impregnable.

Silver… fine gold Secure from hostile attacks, Tyre heaped up immense treasures (Ezekiel 28:4-5). But her power and wealth will not continue.

Cast her out R.V., “dispossess her”; which is a threat that Jehovah will rob her of her wealth and make her poor (1 Samuel 2:7).

Power Not fortifications, but, as in Ezekiel 28:4-5, equivalent to riches, and all the strength and influence derived from these

Devoured with fire The city herself, her palaces, storehouses, and magnificent buildings, will go up in flames (compare Amos 1:10). To secure a climax some translate the first verb “conquer,” as frequently in the Old Testament. This gives the order conquer, smite her riches, devour the city.

The divine executioner is evidently thought of as coming from the north or northeast. Syria, represented by Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath, will be the first to suffer, then powerful Phoenicia; from there he will pass down the Maritime Plain and fall upon Philistia. With the strong Phoenician cities gone, nothing can prevent the further advance of the enemy; therefore Philistia may well tremble.