Chapter 9

1 God defendeth his church. 9 Zion is exhorted to rejoice for the coming of Christ, and his peaceable kingdom. 12 God’s promises of victory and defence.

1. Burden. Heb. masЊsЊaХ, “a prophetic utterance,” “an oracle” (see on Isa. 13:1).

Hadrach. Probably the HЙattarikka of the Assyrian inscriptions, a territory of Syria bordering on Hamath.

The rest thereof. That is, Damascus would be the resting place of the “burden”; that is, the message was denunciatory of that city.

When the eyes. The meaning of this expression is not clear. The LXX reads, “For the Lord looks upon men, and upon all the tribes of Israel.” The reading, “For to the Lord belong the cities of Aram” (RSV), requires the change of two letters in the Hebrew that are similar in appearance.

2. Hamath. A city about 118 mi. (189 km.) north by east of Damascus.

Tyrus, and Zidon. For a description of Tyre and for the punishments to be inflicted upon Tyre and Sidon, as set forth in vs. 3, 4, see on Eze. 26 to 28. Zechariah’s description closely parallels Ezekiel’s more detailed picture.

5. Ashkelon. The downfall of the great city of Tyre would bring dismay and fear upon Tyre’s neighbors, the chief cities of Philistia here named. Compare Ezekiel’s prophecy against the Philistines (Eze. 25:15–17).

6. Bastard. One born out of wedlock, or one of alien birth (see on Deut. 23:2).

7. His blood. Doubtless a reference to the heathen practice of drinking the blood of sacrifices, or of eating the sacrifices with the blood. The Israelites were strictly forbidden to eat blood (Lev. 17:10, 12).

Abominations. See Isa. 66:3, 17.

For our God. The remnant would forsake their idolatrous practices and join themselves to Israel.

Governor. Heb. Хalluph. A change in vowel pointing permits the translation “thousand,” “family,” or “clan” (see Num. 1:16; 10:4; 1 Sam. 10:19). Those who joined themselves to the Lord would become like one of the families or clans of Judah.

Jebusite. The Jebusites were the ancient inhabitants of the stronghold of Zion. The tribe was not entirely destroyed, but was made to serve as bondmen (1 Kings 9:20, 21). It is not entirely clear what the prophet meant by the comparison. Perhaps he was predicting the absorption of the Philistines into the state of Israel.

8. I will encamp. God will defend Israel from her enemies.

Him that passeth by. A reference to the raids of an enemy or to hostile attacks upon various places.

Now have I seen. God now regards Israel’s condition and purposes to give her help (see Ex. 3:7, 9).

9. Rejoice greatly. Zion is called upon to rejoice because her promised salvation will be realized through the coming of her King, the Messiah.

Just. Heb.saddiq, a word occurring more than 200 times in the OT. It is generally translated “righteous,” less frequently “just.” The term is elsewhere used of the Messiah. Jeremiah declared, “I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,” who was to be called “the Lord our righteousness [Heb. sedeq, from the same root as saddiq]” (Jer. 23:5, 6). Some see in saddiq also the meaning “triumphant” (see RSV). This idea is derived from the observation that one who receives what is his right is therefore triumphant. Though such a definition is in harmony with the context, it is doubtful that the meaning ought to be thus restricted. Moral righteousness is a prime attribute of the Messiah. In His humanity Christ wrought out a perfect character, and this He offers to impart to all who accept Him by faith. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). But Jesus was made unto us “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).

Salvation. From the Heb. yashaФ, “to save.” YashaФ is the root word of the name “Jesus” (see on Matt. 1:1, 21).

Lowly. On this attribute of the Messiah see Matt. 11:29; Phil. 2:5–8.

Upon an ass. For a fulfillment of this prediction see on Matt. 21:1–11.

10. Cut off. A forecast of the ultimate abolition of war. Ephraim and Jerusalem represent respectively the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel and the two tribes comprising the southern kingdom of Judah, both comprehending the entire Jewish nation.

Unto the heathen. Or, “unto the nations.” All enemy opposition to the people of Israel would eventually be put down (Joel 3:1–17; Zech. 14:1–9; see p. 30).

Ends of the earth. An indication of the universal sway of Messiah’s kingdom (see p. 30).

11. As for thee. God addresses His covenant people.

Covenant. Probably in its larger aspects a reference to the covenant made with man in Eden (Gen. 3:15), and renewed to Abraham (Gen. 22:18). This covenant became known as the new covenant (Heb. 8:8–12; PP 370, 371).

I have sent forth. Or, “I will send forth.” A reference to the Israelites still captive in foreign lands.

12. Turn you. The divine appeal to the prisoners scattered abroad to accept deliverance. The stronghold is Zion, defended by God and symbolical of His salvation (see Micah 4:8).

Prisoners of hope. The returned exiles thought themselves to be the prisoners of circumstance, but God assures them that there is hope of deliverance—if they are diligent in obeying His voice (ch. 6:15; see on Matt. 7:24–27).

Even to day. In the face of untoward conditions.

Double. Compare Isa. 61:7.

13. Bent Judah. God as a warrior ready for battle employs Judah as His bow, and Ephraim (Israel) as His arrow.

Raised up. The clause reads literally, “I will rouse.”

Greece. Here probably a symbol of the countries to which the Jews had been driven (see Joel 3:6).

14. Shall be seen. The intervention of Jehovah is thus poetically described. Compare Ps. 18:14.

Whirlwinds. Compare Job 37:9.

15. Defend them. The poetic description of v. 14 is continued. The imagery is intensely dramatic. The slaughter of the enemies is compared to a sacrifice and the attackers are pictured as drunk with the blood of their victims.

16. Save them. The tables would be turned. Those who had been downtrodden and oppressed would glitter as the precious stones of a crown.

Lifted up as an ensign. Literally, “glitter,” “twinkle.”

17. His goodness. Or, “his good.” The Lord, the mighty Deliverer, is extolled (see DA 26).

Corn. Grain and new wine represent productive abundance. The needs of life will be provided in abundance when God restores His people to their inheritance.

Ellen G. White comments

9    DA 569, 575, 592; EW 244; GC 405

12   FE 290, 370; MM 335; PK 260, 378; 1T 268; 2T 510; 4T 633; 6T 145, 279, 418; 8T 12, 21, 124

15, 16  AA 86

16   COL 118; MB 89; 6T 309

16, 17  DA 26