“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says the LORD of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 7. Sword. This address rouses attention. Calmet.—The sword implies all the torments which Christ endured. Worthington.—He explains this of himself; only instead of strike, he says I will strike, (Matthew 26:31) as the sword was directed by God. Bible.—Patris voluntate percussus est. Saint Jerome—Cleaveth. Hebrew hamithi, “my amiable one;” ( Bible.) “of the same tribe with me;” (Aq.) “of my people.” Sym. S. Jerom observes, that Septuagint and Th. have read v for the last i, and render “his neighbour,” or citizen. Yet some editions of the Septuagint retain “my fellow-citizen.” Bible.—Little ones. Septuagint Arab. and so forth “shepherds,” ( Calmet.) which “many ill apply to the Jewish princes.” Saint Jerome—Tsoharim means also “the little.” Mic. 5:2. Christ takes care of his little flock, (Lu. 12:32. Bible.) and is always one with the Father. John 8:29 and 10:30. Calmet.—He recalled the flying apostles, and gave them courage. Worthington.