Zechariah 12:4

Zechariah 12:4 describes more minutely the overthrow of the nations announced in figurative terms in Zechariah 12:2-3.

In that day When the nations of the earth are gathered against the city.

Horse… rider The cavalry, which here represents the entire military force of the enemy.

Astonishment,… madness For the former R.V. reads “terror.” The soldiers will be thrown into hopeless confusion, so that they will rush headlong to destruction.

Smite… with blindness When this happens to the enemies they will be unable to distinguish between friend and foe, and they will turn their swords against their own fellows (Judges 7:22; 2 Kings 6:18; compare Deuteronomy 28:28).

Of the people Better, R.V., “peoples.” Meanwhile Jerusalem will be safe.

I will open mine eyes In watchful care, so that no harm can come near (1 Kings 8:29; Psalms 32:8).

The house of Judah Jerusalem and Judah. Marti omits the last clause, as also Zechariah 12:5, and reads following “the house of Judah” Zechariah 12:6. In this way he gets rid of several troublesome clauses, while at the same time the thought connection is improved; but in the absence of all external evidence many will hesitate to accept the suggestion. To make the reading smoother he omits also Zechariah 12:7-8.