Zechariah 14:10

10. The presence of Jehovah will bring about a complete transformation of the land.

As a plain R.V., “like the Arabah.” The word may be rendered as a proper name (R.V.; see on Amos 6:14), or as a common noun (A.V.). Probably the latter is to be preferred here. The whole country, with the exception of Jerusalem, will be made into a level plain. The Arabah is more than a thousand feet below the sea level immediately east of Jerusalem. The thought of fertility does not seem to be implied; as a matter of fact, the Arabah, with the exception of a few isolated tracts, is barren and unfruitful. The extent of the district to be thus transformed is indicated more definitely.

From Geba In the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24), now Jeba, about five miles north of Jerusalem, at the time of Josiah and perhaps throughout a long period the northern boundary of Judah (2 Kings 23:8).

Rimmon Distinguished by the addition “south of Jerusalem” from a Rimmon in the north (Joshua 19:13). The one mentioned here marks the southern border of Palestine (Joshua 15:32; Joshua 19:7); now Umm-er-Rummanin; it is located only a short distance north of Beer-sheba (2 Kings 23:8). While this region, which is meant to include the whole of Judah, is leveled to a plain, Jerusalem will be elevated.

Lifted up The city, which is built upon two mountain spurs, will retain its elevation, or will be raised even higher (see on Micah 4:1; compare Isaiah 2:2). The exalted position will proclaim it the center of the kingdom of God.

Shall be… inhabited in her place Better, R.V., “shall dwell in her place”; that is, it will be established forever. As of the land, so of the city, its full extent is indicated. The localities mentioned cannot all be identified.

Benjamin’s gate May be identical with gate of Ephraim (2 Kings 14:13; Nehemiah 8:16; Nehemiah 12:39), in the north wall of the city, through which led the road to Ephraim and Benjamin (compare Jeremiah 20:2).

The place of the first gate This gate is otherwise unknown; some identify it with the corner gate mentioned immediately afterward; the latter is thought to stand in apposition to the former for the purpose of explaining an uncommon designation. This is improbable. Others identify it with the old gate (Nehemiah 12:39), as marking the eastern end of the north wall. Much uncertainty remains.

Corner gate Mentioned again in 2 Kings 14:13; Jeremiah 31:38; it was located at the west end of the northern wall. All three points seem to indicate the northern boundary of the city and its extent from east to west.

Tower of Hananeel Probably in the northeast corner (Nehemiah 3:1; Nehemiah 12:39).

The king’s wine presses The exact location of these is not known; it is probable, however, that they were near the king’s garden (Nehemiah 3:15), which is to be sought near the palace in the southern part of the city. If so, this location would mark the southern boundary of the city. The localities named may have been of special prominence in the days of the author. The first three seem to indicate the extent of the city from east to west, the last two from north to south. Marti omits all but the first and the last, “from the Benjamin’s gate to the king’s winepresses,” which he thinks are to indicate the extent of Jerusalem from north to south.