Zechariah 1:16
"Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

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Summary

The prophet saw a dark, shady grove, hidden by hills. This represented the low, melancholy condition of the Jewish church.

Reflection

It is not uncommon for the enemies of God to be at rest in sin, while his people are enduring correction, harassed by temptation, disquieted by fears of wrath, or

groaning under oppression and persecution. Here are predictions which had reference to the revival of the Jews after the captivity, but those events were shadows of what shall take place in the church, after the oppression of the New Testament Babylon is ended.

📚Read Complete Commentary

The prophet saw a dark, shady grove, hidden by hills. This represented the low, melancholy condition of the Jewish church. A man like a warrior sat on a red horse, in the midst of this shady myrtle-grove. Though the church was in a low condition, Christ was present in the midst, ready to appear for the relief of his people.

Behind him were angels ready to be employed by him, some in acts of judgment, others of mercy, others in mixed events. Would we know something of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, we must apply, not to angels, for they are themselves 2305 learners, but to Christ himself. He is ready to teach those humbly desirous to learn the things of God. The nations near Judea enjoyed peace at that time, but the state of the Jews was unsettled, which gave rise to the pleading that followed; but mercy must only be hoped for through Christ. His intercession for his church prevails. The Lord answered the Angel, this Angel of the covenant, with promises of mercy and deliverance. All the good words and comfortable words of the gospel we receive from Jesus Christ, as he received them from the Father, in answer to the prayer of his blood; and his ministers are to preach them to all the world. The earth sat still, and was at rest. It is not uncommon for the enemies of God to be at rest in sin, while his people are enduring correction, harassed by temptation, disquieted by fears of wrath, or groaning under oppression and persecution. Here are predictions which had reference to the revival of the Jews after the captivity, but those events were shadows of what shall take place in the church, after the oppression of the New Testament Babylon is ended.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H3541 כֹּה
Definition:

Jerusalem, Mandeanכָּאhere:in Syriac with prefixeshither,(ᵑ6:Jerusalem)hence,where?compareאֵיכָה, p. 32, and Köii. 1, 252) —1of manner,thus(so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follo Jerusalem, Mandeanכָּאhere:in Syriac with prefixeshither,(ᵑ6:Jerusalem)hence,where?compareאֵיכָה, p. 32, and Köii. 1, 252) —1of manner,thus(so most frequently, and usually pointing to what is to follo

H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
H3389 יְרוּשָׁלַם
Definition:

10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1 10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1

Possible Meanings:
  • Jerusalem (semantic_range)
H7356 רַחַם
Definition:

14womb(feminineJeremiah 20:17, unlessהֲרַתa noun, compare AlbrZAW xvi.81SS); — absolute׳רGenesis 20:18+,רַ֫חַםJudges 5:30,רָ֑חֶםJeremiah 20:17+,רָ֑חַםGenesis 49:25+; constructרֶ֫חֶםNumbers 12:12;Job 3 14womb(feminineJeremiah 20:17, unlessהֲרַתa noun, compare AlbrZAW xvi.81SS); — absolute׳רGenesis 20:18+,רַ֫חַםJudges 5:30,רָ֑חֶםJeremiah 20:17+,רָ֑חַםGenesis 49:25+; constructרֶ֫חֶםNumbers 12:12;Job 3

Possible Meanings:
  • carrion-vulture (semantic_range)
H1004 בּיִת
Definition:

12house(Phoenicianבת, MIבת, suffixביתה, Arabic, Aramaicבַּיְתָא,Assyrianbîtu, COTGloss, Sabeanבית,בת,fortressDHMZMG 1883, 387;templeHal257DHMZMG 1876, 697, EthiopicPalmyrene inבת עלמא,בת מקברתאsepulch 12house(Phoenicianבת, MIבת, suffixביתה, Arabic, Aramaicבַּיְתָא,Assyrianbîtu, COTGloss, Sabeanבית,בת,fortressDHMZMG 1883, 387;templeHal257DHMZMG 1876, 697, EthiopicPalmyrene inבת עלמא,בת מקברתאsepulch

Possible Meanings:
  • lodge (semantic_range)
  • pass the night (semantic_range)
H1129 בָּנָה
Definition:

5+,בָּֽנְתָהProverbs 9:1;Proverbs 14:1,בָּנִיתָDeuteronomy 6:10,בָּנִתָה1 Kings 9:3;וּבָנִ֫יתָconsecutiveDeuteronomy 20:20+;בָּנִיתְEzekiel 16:25;בָּנִתִי1 Kings 8:13+; pluralבָּנוּGenesis 11:5+, etc. 5+,בָּֽנְתָהProverbs 9:1;Proverbs 14:1,בָּנִיתָDeuteronomy 6:10,בָּנִתָה1 Kings 9:3;וּבָנִ֫יתָconsecutiveDeuteronomy 20:20+;בָּנִיתְEzekiel 16:25;בָּנִתִי1 Kings 8:13+; pluralבָּנוּGenesis 11:5+, etc.

Possible Meanings:
  • build (semantic_range)
  • build (semantic_range)
  • be built (semantic_range)
H5002 נְאֻם
Definition:

—1utterance, declaration, revelation, of prophet in ecstatic stateבלעם׳נNumbers 24:3,15;שֹׁמֵעַ אִמְרֵי אֵל׳נNumbers 24:4;Numbers 24:6;הַגֶּבֶר׳נNumbers 24:3;Numbers 24:15;2 Samuel 23:1;Proverbs 30:1; —1utterance, declaration, revelation, of prophet in ecstatic stateבלעם׳נNumbers 24:3,15;שֹׁמֵעַ אִמְרֵי אֵל׳נNumbers 24:4;Numbers 24:6;הַגֶּבֶר׳נNumbers 24:3;Numbers 24:15;2 Samuel 23:1;Proverbs 30:1;

Possible Meanings:
  • utter a prophecy (semantic_range)
  • speak as prophet (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H6635 צָבָא
Definition:

485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const 485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const

Possible Meanings:
  • be inclined (semantic_range)
  • desire (semantic_range)
  • be pleased (semantic_range)
H6961 קָוֶה
Definition:

Fromqavah; a (measuring) cord (as if for binding) -- line.see HEBREWqavahTopical LexiconTerm and Scopeקָוֶה (qaveh) denotes a “measuring line,” the cord used by builders and surveyors to establish dim Fromqavah; a (measuring) cord (as if for binding) -- line.see HEBREWqavahTopical LexiconTerm and Scopeקָוֶה (qaveh) denotes a “measuring line,” the cord used by builders and surveyors to establish dim

Possible Meanings:
  • collect (semantic_range)
  • be collected (semantic_range)
H6957 קַו
Definition:

Or qav {kawv}; fromqavah(compareqaveh); a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord -- line. Compareqav-qav.see HEBREWqavahsee HEBREW Or qav {kawv}; fromqavah(compareqaveh); a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord -- line. Compareqav-qav.see HEBREWqavahsee HEBREW

H5186 נָטָה
Definition:

19+; 3 feminine singularנָָֽכְתָהNumbers 22:33; 2masculine singularנָטִיתָExodus 15:12; 3pluralנָטוּPsalm 21:42;Isaiah 45:12,נָטָ֫יוּPsalm 73:2Qr, etc.;ImperfectיִטֶּהJob 15:29, jussiveיֵטZephaniah 2: 19+; 3 feminine singularנָָֽכְתָהNumbers 22:33; 2masculine singularנָטִיתָExodus 15:12; 3pluralנָטוּPsalm 21:42;Isaiah 45:12,נָטָ֫יוּPsalm 73:2Qr, etc.;ImperfectיִטֶּהJob 15:29, jussiveיֵטZephaniah 2:

Possible Meanings:
  • stretch out (semantic_range)
  • spread out (semantic_range)
  • extend (semantic_range)
  • incline (semantic_range)
  • bend (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3389 יְרוּשָׁלַם
Definition:

10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1 10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1

Possible Meanings:
  • Jerusalem (semantic_range)

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