Zechariah 10:4-6

4. Henceforth the nation will be governed by native rulers.

Out of him Does the pronoun refer to Judah or to Jehovah? On this point commentators are not agreed; the former is the more probable, the thought being that in the future the rulers called corner, nail, etc., will come forth not from the foreign nations but from Judah.

Corner R.V., “corner stone.” The term is applied to the Messiah in Isaiah 28:16, but here it is equivalent to leader (Isaiah 19:13; 1 Samuel 14:38). The leader stands out prominently like the corner.

Nail The origin of the metaphor is not quite clear. It may, perhaps, be traced to the pin with which the tent is fastened down (Judges 4:21-22), or to the peg on which articles and vessels are hung on the wall. Here it represents those in the community on whose counsel and support others depend, the leaders (Isaiah 22:23).

Battle bow Military leaders, or, perhaps, warriors in general.

Every oppressor R.V., “every ruler”; margin, “exactor.” The same word is translated in Exodus 3:7; Exodus 5:10, etc., “taskmaster”; here it appears to be used in the general sense ruler (compare Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 60:17), though the idea may be implied that these rulers will oppress the enemies who now oppress the Jews.

Together The force of this word is not certain; it cannot be taken with the verb, “shall go forth together,” since the two are separated in Hebrew; taken with “every ruler” it would seem to indicate that the prophet expects more than one ruler to come forth. Some commentators take it with the next verse (see below).

Zechariah 10:5 seems to be an expansion of 3b.

Mighty men Heroes, courageous warriors.

Tread down See on Zechariah 9:15, where, however, a different verb is used.

In the mire Perhaps better, with a slight alteration, as the mire (compare Micah 7:10). They will fight so bravely because Jehovah will be with them.

The riders on horses Of the hostile army. The present Hebrew text of Zechariah 10:5 is awkward, and most recent commentators suggest one or more alterations, all of them very simple. Marti would read 5a, “together shall they tread down in battle the mighty men as dirt in the streets.”

Zechariah 10:6 contains a promise that Ephraim will share in the blessings.

I will strengthen The verb is a derivative of the noun mighty men (Zechariah 10:5), equivalent to I will make heroes.

Joseph Ephraim (Zechariah 10:7; Zechariah 9:13), Israel, the northern kingdom.

I will save From oppression; this deliverance will be the first blessing.

I will bring them again to place them R.V., “I will bring them back”; from exile. The form of the verb is peculiar, but the translation of R.V. fits better into the context. The deliverance is wrought, not because they deserve it, but because Jehovah has decided to have mercy on them once more.

As though I had not cast them off The exile seemed to prove that Jehovah had cast them off, but in the glorious future all traces of the divine disfavor will disappear. In spite of their sins Jehovah is still their God, and when in distress they cry unto him he will hear them. For “I will hear them” G.A. Smith translates, “I will hold converse with them.”