The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 72

These e~ many years. All the seventy trust iu the observance of outward cere- ye1trs of exile. There is, perhaps, BOme monies, but attend to the cultivation ot Pha.risnieal complacency in this assertion. moral obedience and purity (see l Sa.m. xv. 22; Prov. xxi. 3; Ia,i. i. 11, 12, lG, 17; Vers. 4-7.-§ 2. In an-BWer u, the inquiry, \viii. 3, etc.; Jer. vii. 22, 23; Hos. vi. 6: the delegates a.re f.old that fasting is in itself Micah vi. 8, where see note). When J'eru- 011 i11di.ffere11t thing, bat is to be estimated by se.lem was inhabited, Before its destruction the cond11~t of tlwse who observe it. and the deportution of its iuha.bitauts. He recalls the fol'mer prosperitv to their memory, Ver. 4.-Then oame the word of the Lord. contrasting it with the present low esta.te, This formula marks the severe.I portions of to remind them of all they had lost in the answer to the inquiry (see ..-er. S; ob. punishment of disobedience. The south ..-iii. l, 1S). The present verse takes up the (Negeb). The southern port of Judma was sentence in ver. 1, interrupted by the ex- so called (see on Obad. 19; and oomp. plaunt.ion of the object of the deputation Numb. xiii. 17; Josh. xv. 21). The pie.in (vers. 2. 3). (Shephelah); the low land, along the coast Yer. 5.-Unto all the people of the 111.lld. of the Mediterranean (Josh. xv. 33; l Mace. The message, wwi not for Bethel only, but xii. 38). The above districts comprise two for all the restored Jews, for whose satisfac- of the three divisions of Judrea (Judg. i. 9); tion the question he.d been asked. And to the third, the mountain or hill country the priests. The prophet was to make (Luke i. 39), is intended in the expression, 1.,iown to the priests God's will in this "Jerusalem and the cities round a.bout matter, it not being a mere ritual ques- her." There was still a great dearth of tion. Fifth month (see note on v-er. 3). population in the country, and the towns The original question referred only to this were not I.Jalf inhabited, nor was the lond fast ; the answer embraces also another fast half cultivated. appointed by human authority. The seventh Vers. 8-14.-§ 3. The people are further month. This fast wa.s instituted in conse- reminded that they had been disobedient i1' quence of the murder of Gedaliah, Jl,C. 587, just seventy years ago, when the greater old time, and had been punishetl by exile. part of the reIIl.DJI.Ilt of the Jews, contrary Ver. 8.-Unto Zeohariah. The prophet to the prophet's warning, fled into Egypt to speaks of himself in the third person, as in escape the punishment of the crime (2 eh. i 1. A further explanation of God's Kings Xli:v. 25, 26; Jer. xii. 2, 16, etc.). answer is next given. Some critics sup- Did ye a.t all fast 'llllto met It was not by pose that this verse is an interpolation, and God's comma.nd, or to do him honour, that that vers. 9, 10 are " the words" referred ,to they fasted; not from hearty repentance or in ver. 7. sorrow for the sins which had brought ruin Ver. 9.-Thus spea.keth; thus saith. The upon tl.Jeir city and conntry; but from Lord bath always so said, and sai~ so vexation at the calamity itself, and in a now. Revised Version, thus hatl1 the Lord self-righteollB spirit, with some idea of gain- of hosts spoken, saying. Exeonte true judg- ing merit by this punisl.Jment of the body; ment; literally, judge ye judgment of truth; and God was not constrained by tl.Jis formal i.e. judge according to truth without bias or observance to show them favour. Even to partiality. The same phrase occurs in me. (For the forcible repetition of the pro- Ezek. xviii 8. Exhortations to this effect nonn, comp. Gen. xnii 34; Prov. xxii. 19; are often found; e.g. Exod. xxiii. 6, etc.: Hag. i. 4.) Dent. xxiv. 14; Tua. i. 17; Jer. vii, 5-7; Ver. 6.-W-.nen ye did eat, etc.; better, xxii. 3. Show mercy, Kindness and love in when ye eat and when ye drinl,. As in your general. Compassions. Pity for the afflicted. fasts, so in your rejoicings and your daily Ver. 10.-0ppress not the widow, etc. life. Did not ye eat for yourselves, etc.? (Exod. x.xii. 21, 22; Deut. x. 18, 19); Vul- literally, Is it not ye wlw are eating and ye gate, wlite calumniari, where calumniari ·who are drinking f There the matter ends; is used in the sense "to vex, torment." it is self that is concerned, and there is Imagine evil against hie brother in your no reference io God (comp. l Car. viii. 8; heart. God's Law forbids even a thought X. 31), of rnvenge or injury against II neighbour, Ver. 7.-Should ye not hear the words, for this is only tl..te first step to wrong-doing etc. ? A verb must be supplied. " Do ye (comp. Micah ii. 1). Beptuo.gint, Ka,clav not know the words? " or " Should ye not El<Q;(TTOS -rov a.lit \q,ov aO-rov µ.¾, /J,111/<Tll<Q;l<El-rfJI oLey tl,e words?" Syriac, Septuagint, lv -rai's 1<apala,s ~µ.wv, "Let none of you and Vulgate, " Are not these the words?" remember in your hearts the malice of your By the former prophets (eh. i. 4). It had brother." been 11 common cry of the prophets from Ver. 11.-Pnlled away the shoulder; early tiu:a,s t!Jat men must not put their t/i,e'V gave a stubborn, refractory shoulder, (JJI. VlI. 1-14.] 'l'HE BOOK OF ZECHARlAH. 69