Zechariah 14:1-2

Capture and deliverance of Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:1-7.

1. Behold,… cometh Better, Behold,… is about to come. The coming is imminent (G.-K., 116p).

Day of Jehovah Literally, a day is about to come for Jehovah. The day is the day of Jehovah mentioned so frequently by the prophets (see on Joel 1:15). In 1b Jerusalem is addressed. The prophet does not stop to describe the struggle; he passes immediately to the outcome and states that the city will be taken and plundered.

In the midst of thee Indicates the completeness of the defeat; the enemy will gain complete possession of the city.

In Zechariah 14:2, which is omitted by some as a later expansion of Zechariah 14:1, the prophet pictures the struggle in greater detail.

I will gather all nations The rest of the verse would seem to indicate that Jehovah sends them to execute judgment upon the city (compare Isaiah 10:5-6; not so in Joel 3:2; Joel 3:9-11; Ezekiel 38:39). The city will be taken, and the conquerors will spare nothing.

The women ravished A practice not uncommon in ancient warfare (see on Amos 7:17; Joel 3:3).

Half In a general sense a portion. One portion will be carried into exile, the other will be allowed to remain in the city (compare Zechariah 13:8).