Zechariah 2

I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Then I asked, “Where are you going?” He said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

3

Behold, the angel who talked with me went out, and another angel went out to meet him,

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. Another. The angel who measured spoke to Michael. Calmet.

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4

and said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Walls. This must be understood of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of Christ. Challoner.—According to Saint Augustine (in Ps. lxxi.) when the literal sense cannot be verified, we must have recourse to the thing prefigured; and thus what is here written, must be explained of the Church rather than of Jerusalem. Worthington.—A little before the fall of the latter, it was become so populous that the houses which had been built without the walls were enclosed. Jos. Bel. vi. 6.—this multitude was a sort of pledge or figure of the crowds which should embrace the gospel.

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5

For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be to her a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory in the middle of her.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Fire, to enlighten and protect it. Arms will be unnecessary. Mic. 5:10. Isaiah 2:4. The Church shall enjoy peace.

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6

Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,’ says the LORD; ‘for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the sky,’ says the LORD.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. North. Many Jews had not yet returned, Esther, and so forth—Winds. Ezekiel 5:2, 12. Calmet.—Gentiles, and ye children of Sion, flee from Babylon and from sin into the true Church. Worthington.

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7

‘Come, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.’

8

For the LORD of Armies says: ‘For honor he has sent me to the nations which plundered you; for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Glory. After restoring you to your own country, and rebuilding your cities, I will punish your enemies. Calmet.—After they have enjoyed prosperity, they shall feel the reverse. Hebrew Cabod, ( Bible.) means also “a burden.”

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9

For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they will be a plunder to those who served them; and you will know that the LORD of Armies has sent me.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 9. Prey. Two years after this ( Calmet.) the Assyrians revolted, and seized Babylon. Justin i.—They slew the useless women: but Zopyrus betrayed the place to Darius, who hung 3,000 of the principal inhabitants, and demolished the walls. Herod. iii. 150. Usher, A. 3489.

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10

Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion! For behold, I come and I will dwell within you,’ says the LORD.

11

Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of Armies has sent me to you.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Nations. We know of none who embrace the Jewish law. But both the old and the new world submits to Christ.—Dwell. S. Michael represents the Messias. The latter preached and wrought miracles among the Jews, which rendered them inexcusable. John 15:24. Calmet.

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12

The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

13

Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy habitation!”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Silent: obey with reverence. Bible. See Habakkuk 2:20 and 1 Maccabees 1:3. Calmet.—Habitation, becoming man. Menochius.

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