The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 34

of Johovo,h to do hie pleBeure (eoe note on ing to him e.nd to the nation blessing and vor. I). TBke Bway the filthy gBrmenta. honour, and proceeding to prophesy of B Thie symbolized remission of sine 11nd re- great future. stomtion to fovour, ae the following words Ver. 7.-Wa.lk in my ways. God's ways explain. I will olothe thee with ohange of are hie commandments, as the next words raiment ; Revised Version, with rich apparel. explain (comp. I Kings iii. 14). Keep my The word machalatsoth occurs also in lea. charge. The Vulgate retains the Hebraism, iii. 22, and may mean either "change of Oustodiam meam cu8todieris (comp. Gen. raiment," or "costly raiment;" or the xxvi. 5; Mai. iii. 14). The charge means mcaniuge may be combined in the sense of the laws e.nd ordinances of the Mosa.ic "festBl robes," only worn on great occasions institution. Then. The apodosie rightly nnd changed after the occasion. They are begins here, though Kimcbi and others make used here as symbols of righteousness and it commence at "I will give thee," taking glory. Not only is the sin pardoned, but the following two clauses as denoting parts the wearer is restored to the full glory of of his duties, the observance of which con- his state. The LXX. makes the words to ditioned his acceptance. Thou ahalt also be addressed to the attendants, " Clothe ye judge my house. The mention of "my liim in e. robe flowing to the feet" (1roM1p11, courts" in the following clause requires the word used for Aaron's priestly garment, that " house " here should mean, not people Exod. xxviii. 4; Ecclus. xlv. 8). or family, but, in a more restricted sense, Ver. 5.-I said. If this is the true read- the temple, looked upon as the spiritual ing (which Ewald doubts), we must consider centre of the nation. If the high priest that the prophet, excited by what has paseed, kept the ordinances and commandments, he cannot stand by as a mere spectator, but should rule and order Divine worship, and feels constrained to take part in the scene, "judge," i.e. govern, the ministers of the and to request that the change of garments sanctuary. Keep my courts. He was to mBy be completed by the addition of the preserve the temple, and that which the fair head-dress. The LXX. omits the word, temple represented, from all idolatry and continuing the address to the attendant. ungodliness. This duty, as Hengstenberg The Yulgate hBs, et dizit. So the Syriac observes, is introduced as a reward, because and the Targum and some few manuscripts. it was e.n honour e.nd a privilege to be But tbe received reading is confirmed, as entrusted with such an office, and the Dr. Alexander points out, by the obange in greatest favour which God could confer the mood of the following verb from the upon man. Places to welk. The LXX. imperative to the optative, "let them put," takes the word as a participle, translating, " would that they put." There is nothing d11au-Tpupoµ.Evour, "persons walking ; " so incongruous in the prophet thus intervening the Syrie.c; Vulgate, ambulantes. This is in his own person. Thus Isaiah, in the explained to mean that God will give him. midst of a solemn vision, gives vent to his out of the be.nd of angels (ver. 4), some to feelings (Isa. vi. 5), and St. John in the accompany and a.id him in his ministrations. Apocalypse often mingles his own senti- But the word is best to.ken as a n.,nn ments and actions with what he beheld meaning" walks,"" goings." The Revised (comp. Rev. v. 4; x. 9; xi. 1). Mitre Version gives, "a place of e.ccess" in the (tsaniph); Septuagint, 1d611ptv: so the Vul- text, restoring the Authorized Version in gate, cidarim. This is not the same word the margin ; but there seems to be no good as that used in Exod. xxviii. 4, etc. (which reason for the Revised rendering. The is mitsnepheth), for the official head-dress tre.nslation," goings,"" walks," gives ruuch of Aaron, though it is probably a synonym the same signification, and is consonant with for it; and the prophet'• wish is to see Joshua the use of the word elsewllere (comp. Neb. not only reinstated in his office and dignity, ii. 6; Ezck. xiii. 4; Jonah iii. 3, i). It but found holy also. For the foir linen mee.ns that J osli ua should he. ve free access mitre, or tiara, was that which bore upon to God. 'fbe gloss of the Te.rgum, that it its front the golden ple.te inscribed, "Holi- is here intime.ted that the high priest should ness unto tl1e Lord" (Exod. xxviii. 86-38), be admitted to the compa.ny of the angels and therefore showed the.t he was qualified after the resurrection, is unsuitable, as the to intercede for the people. Stood by. The other parts of the promise have respect to Angel of Jebova.h continued ste.nding in this present world. Among these that stand his ple.ce, contemple.ting, sanctioning, a.ud by; i.e. among the attendant angels who directing what was being done. wait upon God to do his will, and e. coru pany Ver. 6.-Protested. Solemnly and earnestly of whom were gathered round tbo Angel of admonished, e.djured. t!i.10µ.ap-r6pa:ro (Septua- Jehovah in the vision (see vcr. i). It is gint); Gen. xliii. 8; 2 Kings xvii. 13. The natural piety to believe that the hosts of .Angel sets before Joshuo. his duties, and heaven join in the worship of the Church urges hiJU to keep in the right wa.y, proIIUS- on earth, and assist godly ministers with 30 THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. [on. IU. 1-10.