On the land of Hadrach, and on Damascus, § shall it rest: § Hebr. shall be the resting thereof. Jeremiah, but by no means with that of Zechariah." He quotes c. ix. 5. x. 11. and he supposes that, c. xiv. 5, there is a reference to a recent fact. In MS. 195, Bibl. Kenn. this chapter is divided from c. viii. by the breadth of one line: but between the preceding chapters there is not so great a distance. In the English bibles, the chronological date to c. viii. is, Before Christ 518; but to c. ix, Before Christ cir. 587; which latter is the year in which Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians. But, c. ii. 4, Zechariah is called ya young man. The eight first chapters appear by the introductory parts to be the prophecies of Zechariah, stand in connection with each other, are pertinent to the time when they were delivered, are uniform in style and manner, and constitute a regular whole. But the last six chapters are not expressly assigned to Zechariah; are unconnected with those which precede; the three first of them are unsuitable in many parts to the time when Zechariah lived; all of them have a more adorned and poetical turn of composition than the eight first chapters; [see præl. Hebr. 282.] and they manifestly break the unity of the prophetical book. I conclude from internal marks in c. ix, x, xi, that these three chapters were written much earlier than the time of Jeremiah, and before the captivity of the ten tribes. Israel is mentioned c. ix. 1. xi. 14: [But that this argument is inconclusive, see Mal. ii. 11.] Ephraim, c. ix. 10. 13. x. 7 and Assyria, c. x. 10, 11. Other remarks will be made in the notes. They seem to suit Hosea's age and manner. But whoever wrote them, their divine authority is established by the two quotations from them in the New Testament. C. ix. 9. xi. 12, 13. The xiith xiiith and xivth chapters form a distinct prophecy, and were written after the death of Josiah; c. xii. 11; but whether before or after the captivity, and by what prophet, is uncertain. Though I incline to think that the author lived before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. See on c. xiii. 2-6. They are twice quoted in the New Testament. C. xii. 10. xiii. 7. -Hadrach] A name for the valley of Damascus. Boch. geogr. l. ii. c. vi. The name of a place near Damascus, according to some Jewish Rabbies. Calmet's comm. ----shall it rest] God's anger rests on those whom he punishes. Ezek. v. 13. xvi. 42. xxiv. 13. And his rod, or his arm, (For the eye of Jehovah is over man, rests on his enemies. Ps. cxxv. 3. Isai. xxx. 32. The punctuation and rendering are suggested by Taylor: conc. voc. m. "The authority of Matt. xxvi. 9. is alledged in proof of the following chapters being the prophecies of Jeremiah. But is it not possible, nay is it not much more probable, that the word 1 may have been written by mistake, by some transcribers of Matthew's gospel, than that those of the Jewish church, who settled the canon of scripture, (of whom Zechariah himself is supposed to have been one) should have been so grossly ignorant of the right author of these chapters as to place them under a wrong name? It is certainly a more natural solution of the difficulty to admit an error in the prophets name in Matthew, than to suppose that prophecies of such noble import should be ascribed to a wrong author. But it is urged that many things are mentioned in these chapters which by no means correspond with the time in which the prophet Zechariah prophesied; as when events are foretold which had actually taken place. It may be questioned whether these prophecies which have been construed as having a reference to past transactions, may not terminate in others of a later period, and some perhaps which are yet to come. It is also urged, That these last chapters are not agreeable to the scope of Zechariah's commission. See c. xi. The first eight chapters are delivered in the 2d and 4th years of Darius; to the latter there is no date. Darius is supposed to have reigned thirty-six years; and the Jews have a tradition that the three prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, did not die before the last year of that king's reign. Admitting then that Zechariah prophesied again toward the close of his life, he may well be supposed to have published at this period what would not altogether have accorded with the period and purport of his first commission. And as there is good reason to believe this was the case; so we may very easy conclude that it is of him our Saviour spake, as slain between the temple and the altar. Matth. xxiii. 35. For he is mentioned as the son of Barachiah, and comes in at the close of that series of prophets who were put to death for the faithful discharge of their duty. That he was become obnoxious to his countrymen may be collected from chap. xi. 8. "Lastly upon the same supposition the allowed difference of style and manner may be accounted for, not only as arising from the diversity of the subject, but from the different age of the author; who may well be thought to have written with more dignity in his advanced years, than when he was but a youth as And over all the tribes of Israel:) he is said to be chap. ii. 4. Upon the whole, this conclusion may be drawn; that, setting aside the doubtful authority of St. Matthew's text, there is nothing else to be found sufficient to invalidate the title of Zechariah to the chapters in question. "This chapter begins with announcing the fate of the Syrians, Sidonians, and Philistines, contrasted with the better prospects of the Jewish nation. It foretels the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem, and the peace of his kingdom. The restoration of Israel and Judah is afterwards predicted, together with a series of glorious victories and great prosperity, which are set forth at large in this and the following chapter." Blaney. -Damascus] "The prophecies against Damascus and the Philistines would better befit Jeremy's time, of their destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, than (if of Zachary's time) by Alexander. See the prophecy against Damascus Jer. xlix. 23; against the Philistines xlvii. 2, and Ezek. xxv. 15. For where do we find Damascus destroyed from Zachary's to our Saviour's time? For to come under the hands of new Masters, or suffer some direption or pillaging, doth not seem to satisfy the intent of the prophecy. And for the Philistines, though it be true that Alexander destroyed Gaza, (because it held out long against him, and he was wounded there,) yet it appears not that any such desolation befel Askelon whereby it should not be inhabited, or Ashdod; nor should they seem in Zachary's time to have so well recovered that clades by Nebuchadnezzar, as to be a subject ripe for a new prophecy to that purpose. That of Tyre, v. 3, I doubt whether it so well befits her that had so lately been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar: Sure not so well as it would the time of Jeremy. See Ezekiel's prophecies thereabout. C. xxvi, xxvii, xxviii." J. Mede Epist. Ixi. Damascus was betrayed by a Persian governor into the hands of Parmenio, one of Alexander's generals: but, it seems, without bloodshed. Prideaux. P. i. Anno 333. Curt. iii. c. 13. Arrian 1. ii. 15. Nor could Zechariah prophesy of the Syrian conquests by Pharaoh Necho or Nebuchadnezzar: because in the second year of Darius Hystaspis he is called a youth: [see c. i. 7. ii. 4:] that is, according to Blair, 42 years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar; and probably 50 after his invasion of Syria. -is over man] Houbigant supplies py before may be supplied, or perhaps understood; as the preposition very often is. Thus the sense is agreeable to the ancient versi 78. Or 2 2 And also on Hamath, which bordereth thereby; On Tyre, and on Sidon, though she be very wise. ons, and Chald. where we find, "For the Lord seeth men &c." "For the sons of man are manifest to the Lord, &c." "Or for the eye over man &c. belongs to the Lord. So ó. Ch. Syr." "O y oculus hominem respiciens. Casus secundus apud Hebræos sæpe objectum denotat. Matth. x. 1. Act. iv. 3. Ġal. iii. 22. Bahrdt in Joelem iii. 19." "When towards Jehovah shall be the eyes of men, And of all the tribes of Israel. I cannot conceive how these eyes words can be made to signify, "the of Jehovah over man, as represented by Houbigant, and the ancient versions. The order of the words leads plainly to our present English translation. And this implies that a time would come, when men, and the tribes of Israel in particular, should turn their eyes toward Jehovah, either in hope of deriving some blessings from him, or in gratitude for favours received." Blaney. 2-on Hamath] ó. have H9, ed. Vat. probably supplying the preposition from the exigentia loci. I suppose that Hamath, on the river Orontes, is meant. "That -which bordereth] "Or, which borders. Michaelis." Secker. "And Hamath also shall be bordered by the enemy." is the enemy shall come and possess himself of her coasts. This sense, which corresponds with what is said of the two Syrian kingdoms, on which the burden should rest, is produced is used הצר The Hebrew בה צר for בחצר by simply reading for a foreign invader, chap. viii. 10, and the proposed combination will obviate many difficulties which follow the present reading of the text. It is easy to see how y came to be detached, and considered as meant for Tyre; Tyre and Sidon being frequently named together in scripture. But Sidon is referred to singly in the following context as will appear from the version." Blaney. And Sidon] "Sidon was the capital of Phænicia, and mother of Tyre. Hence Tyre is called the daughter of Sidon. Is. xxiii. 12." Blaney. "And Sidon, though she be very wise. "And hath built Tyre a fortress for herself. "And hath heaped up silver as dust. -very wise] See Ezek. xxviii. 3, 4, 5. Acutissimem gentem Pœnos dixisse convenit, Imbecilliorem agrum, quam agricolam, esse debere. Columella. Y y 3 4 5 Though Tyre hath built her a fortress, Ashkelon shall see it, and shall fear; And the king shall perish from Gaza; Or, dispossess her. . 3. —Tyre] We have a paronomasia iny and -fine gold] Gold cut into ingots, or into coins: from concidere. 4. strength in the sea] See Ezek. xxvi. 17. "The Sidonians (according to Diordorus Siculus) on the approach of an army sent against them by Ochus King of Persia, first of all destroyed their shipping at sea; and then retiring within the walls of the city, when they found they could hold out no longer, set fire to their houses, and burnt themselves and their effects together. Thus their power in the sea was effectually smitten; and this last act of desperation completely verified the remaining part of the prophecy. No wonder if their neighbours, the Philistines, were struck with consternation at seeing the fate of those on whose assistance they depended." ותיראתרא 5. -see-fear] The words in the original have a similar sound: 7, "Rather, and tremble greatly, or, be greatly afraid. For so the word signifies 1 Chron. xvi. 30 Ps. ii. 11. xcvii. 4. cix. 8. Jer. v. 22: and elsewhere to be in pain as of childbirth. But I know not that it is used of grief: and understanding it of fear suits best with what precedes." Secker. -put to shame] Confusa est spes ejus. V. I propose wan in Hophal; though the verb does not occur in that form. Perhaps 'N, or TN, may be understood: "because one hath put to shame her expectation;" which form is often rendered passively. See on Jon. iii. 7. See parallel prophecies, Amos i. 6, 7, 8: Zeph. ii. 4, 7: Jer. xlvii. or, it shall be ashamed of its expectation.' Secker. 66 It is true that Alexander the Great took Sidon, Tyre, and Gaza. Jos. Ant. xi. viii. 3. But see, on Amos i. 8, that the prophecy was fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar. -the king] By the title of king any chief ruler may be de |