The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 107

ngninst a.11 nssailants. Oppressor; rather, eh. ix. 15; Ps. lxxviii. 65, 66). Their ruler, ns lsn. iii. 12; Ix. 17, Judah she.11 ohildren shall see it. Though une.hle to ho.ve every leo.der nccesso.ry for nil emergen- pe.rticipate in the struggle, their children cies. Septuagint, ,,.as o ,~e>..a6vr,w lv -r,p ehall share the universal joy. Their heart a.l-r,p, "he tha.t expelleth together;" Vul- shall rejoice in the Lord (Pd. ]xiii. 7; Isa. gnte, omniB ezactor Bimul. lf the word be xii. 16; Joel ii. 23; He.Ii. iii. 18). Attempts ta.ken in the sense of these versions and the he.ve been made to find the fulfilment of Authorized Version, the cle.use would mean these prophecies (ver. 3, etc.) in certain tha.t the Israelites she.II subjugate their events of Maccabenn times. Thus, accord- enemies, and oppress them, and exact ing to Patritius, the sin for which the tribute from them. The word (nogeB) Hebrews suffered snch distress at the hands usua.lly means "taskme.ster." of the Seleucidm (ver. 2) was their imitation Vers. 5-7.-§ 6. ThuB equipped, Israel of heathen practices mentioned in 1 Mace. i. 13-15 and 2 Mace. iv. 7-17, when the and Judah united shall triumph over their high priest purchased his office by a bribe, foes. and the other priests followed Greek cus- Ver. 5.-Which tread down their enemies toms. The prophet is supposed to refer in the mire of the streots. "Their enemies " specially to this state of things when he is supplied ne.tura.lly from the context. says, "They were troubled because there Others te.ke the pe.rtici ple " treading" was no shepherd. Mine anger was kindled intransitively, "treading upon street mire," agaiust the shepherds." But we have the enemy being figuratively denoted by ~hown above that Zechariah is here speak- "mi.re." The Greek e.nd La.tin Versions give, mg of the past, not of the fnture. There is "tree.ding the mud in the streets" (comp. more verisimilitude in discerning the wars Ps, xviii. 42; Micah vii. 10). They she.11 and victories of Judas, his brothers and fight, They shall ce.rry on long-continued successors, in the allusions of vers. 4-7. war successfully because God is with them. The truth is that such descriptions suit The riders on horses. The strong force of many different events, and have various cavalry arrayed against them shall fell applications. Thongh their complete fulfil- before Israel, and be put to shame. The ment may be expected only in Messianic Israelite forces were for the most part times e.nd circumstances, yet we may see info.ntry, while the principal strength of many anticipatory and preparative tre.ns- their enemies consisted in cavalry (De.n. actious, which are meant to introduce the xi. 40). ~nal accomplishment. The Jewisli prophet Ver. 6.-House of Joseph; i.e. Israel, or 1.8 not always foretelling certain definite the ten tribes, called Ephraim in the next events. Oftentimes he is teaching, warn- verse (see note on Amos v. 6). Israel and ing, and exhorting ; and generally he is Jude.h alike shall shore in the contest and enunciating great principles, the trnth of the victory, under the protection of God, whioh shall be clear in the future, rather I will bring them a.gain to pla.oe them. than predicting particnla.r facts. Not nr.- This is one word in Hebrew, which may frequently commentators have neglected mean either "I bring them a.gain," or "I this consideration, and sought too curiously make them dwell." The Authorized Ver- to restrict the prophet's words to some one sion unwarrantably combines both signifi- issue. It may be noted, further, that where cations. Septuagint, 1<aT011<1w a.l-ro6s, "I tlJe prophetic language concerning the will settle them;" Vulgo.te, convertam eos. destiny of the restored people seems to bo It is better taken here, in contrast with exaggtirnted and not borne out by subse- "cast off" in a following clause, in the quent facts, the promises are always con- sense of" I will cause them to dwell," i.e. ditioned by the moral state of the recipients, in safety and comfort. As though I had If they answered fully and con~istently to not oast them off. The happy restoration God's ea.II, the result would be such as was shall make them forget former trnubles and predicted. That the event in all respects the calamities of their rejection (Isa. xliii. did not correspond with the high idea.I pre- 18, 19). Will hear them (eh. xiii. 9; Isa. viously announced must be attributeJ, not lviii. 9). to the prophet's mistake, but to the people's Ver. 7.-They of Ephraim; i.e. as well waylj'ardness and disobed.ience. as Judnh, sho.ll be heroes. Not many members of ihe northern kingdom returned Vel'I. 8-12.-§ 7. The scattered people at first from the Captivity; but the prophet shall be gathered from all parts of the worl,l, gives the assurance thnt they shall come and dwell in their own land, under the pro- and prove thomsolves mighty warriors, As teotion of Jehovah. through wino. They shall hnsten to the battle cheerfully and exultingly, like men Ver. 8.-1 will hias for them; 0-11µ.avio rofreshed uud strengthened with wine (see au-rois," I will siguo.l to them" (Septuagint); 108 THE BOOK OF ZECHAilIAH. [mr. x. 1-12.