Zechariah
Verse 1. Snows. Prot. “Bright clouds,” or “lightnings.” Bible.—God will presently grant your requests, after the persecution of Epiphanes. Calmet.—The latter season is when fruit ripens, the acceptable time to sue for grace. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Zechariah 10
Historical chapter commentary
Zechariah
Verse 2. Vanity. Jason prevailed on many to imitate the Gentiles. 1 Maccabees 1:12.
Zechariah
Verse 3. Goats; the leaders of the people. Jeremiah 50:8. Calmet.—Vir gregis ipse caper. Virg. Ec. 7.—Jason died in exile, Lysimachus was slain in the temple, Alcimus perished miserably, and Menelaus was hurled among ashes. 2 Maccabees 5:5 and 4:39. and 13:4. and 1 Maccabees 9:54.—Battle. The apostates have suffered: God will not abandon his flock, but raises up Mathathias, and so forth
Zechariah
Verse 4. Corner, to connect the building. The Machabees were not of the tribe of Juda; but it was the chief, and gave name to the rest. Judas was also a figure of Christ, the chief corner-stone, and he should be born of that tribe.—Pin, to fasten down the tent, or to hang things upon. These comparisons were not deemed mean, 1 Ezra 9:8. and Isaiah 22:23.—Exactor. The term may have a good as well as a bad sense. Taxes must be paid for the support of lawful governments. Judas forced other nations to pay tribute. Calmet.—The same term in Ethiopia, means “a king.” De Dieu.
Zechariah
Verse 5. Riders. The Syrians, with ( Bible.) all their cavalry, were routed by a few ill-armed infantry. Calmet.
Zechariah
Verse 6. Joseph. All the tribes shall embrace the gospel at last. Worthington.—Back, from the caverns to which they had fled.
Zechariah
Verse 7. Valiant. Ephraim was a powerful and valiant tribe. Deuteronomy 33:17. Calmet.
Zechariah
Verse 8. Whistle. Christians are sweetly drawn by inspirations, without clamorous words. Saint Cyril Worthington.—This expression shews the sovereign dominion of God. Calmet.—Septuagint “I will give them a sign.” Bible.
Zechariah
Verse 9. Me. The Jews were spread throughout the world, and adhered to their own customs. Philo. See Acts 2:8.—While they enjoyed the greatest prosperity, they kept together in a small territory. It is wonderful how they have since increased.
Zechariah
Verse 10. For them. They returned from the places to which they had been dispersed during former wars, when Judas had liberated his country. Calmet.
Zechariah
Verse 11. Sea. The Jews pretend that the Bosphorus’ straits were dried up, to afford them a passage. Saint Jerome—But they must produce some stronger text to prove such a miracle. No obstacles shall be able to retard God’s people. Isaiah 11:16.—Assyria. After Epiphanes, the kingdom subsisted only about seventy years.—Egypt. The Ptolemies excluded the natural princes, who have never regained the throne. They who had so often disturbed the Jews, were deprived of their power over them by the Syrians, and never could prevail there again after the Machabees. Calmet.—When the faithful are confirmed in their religion, the enemy cannot hurt them. Worthington.
Zechariah
teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.