Zechariah10
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, even of Jehovah that maketh lightnings; and he will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
2For the teraphim have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams, they comfort in vain: therefore they go their way like sheep, they are afflicted, because there is no shepherd.
3Mine anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the he-goats; for Jehovah of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his goodly horse in the battle.
4From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together.
5And they shall be as mighty men, treading down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Jehovah is with them; and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
6And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Jehovah their God, and I will hear them.
7And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine; yea, their children shall see it, and rejoice; their heart shall be glad in Jehovah.
8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased.
9And I will sow them among the peoples; and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return.
10I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
11And he will pass through the sea of affliction, and will smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall dry up; and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart.
12And I will strengthen them in Jehovah; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith Jehovah.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Blessings to be sought from the Lord. (1–5). God will restore his people. (6–12).
vv1-5
Spiritual blessings had been promised under figurative allusions to earthly plenty. Seasonable rain is a great mercy, which we may ask of God when there is most need of it, and we may look for it to come. We must in our prayers ask for mercies in their proper time. The Lord would make bright clouds, and give showers of rain. This may be an exhortation to seek the influences of the Holy Spirit, in faith and by prayer, through which the blessings held forth in the promises are obtained and enjoyed. The prophet shows the folly of making addresses to idols, as their fathers had done. The Lord visited the remnant of his flock in mercy, and was about to renew their courage and strength for conflict and victory. Every creature is to us what God makes it to be. Every one raised to support the nation, as a corner-stone does the building, or to unite those that differ, as nails join the different timbers, must come from the Lord; and those employed to overcome their enemies, must have strength and success from him. This may be applied to Christ; to him we must look to raise up persons to unite, support, and defend his people. He never will say, Seek ye me in vain.
vv6-12
Here are precious promises to the people of God, which look to the state of the Jews, and even to the latter days of the church. Preaching the gospel is God's call for souls to come to Jesus Christ. Those whom Christ redeemed by his blood, God will gather by his grace. Difficulties shall be got over easily, and effectually, as those in the way of the deliverance out of Egypt. God himself will be their strength, and their song. When we resist, and so overcome our spiritual enemies, then our hearts shall rejoice. If God strengthen us, we must bestir ourselves in all the duties of the Christian life, must be active in the work of God; and we must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Key Words
שָׁאַל: to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מָטַר: rain
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
מַלְקוֹשׁ: the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חֲזִיז: a flash of lightning
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
גֶּשֶׁם: a shower
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עֶשֶׂב: grass (or any tender shoot)
Cross References
Zechariah 10Poole and JFB connect the promise of the 'latter rain' to this well-known Hosea passage.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The connection of teraphim (idols) and lack of spiritual leadership in Israel's history.
Supported by JFB
Poole and JFB compare Zechariah's 'goats' with Ezekiel's judgment of the pushy rams and he-goats.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
JFB notes that 'corners' here, as in Samuel, metaphorically denotes chief rulers or governors.
Supported by JFB
JFB compares the 'nail' in Zechariah to the secure peg on which national glory hangs.
Supported by JFB
JFB associates the seasonal expectation of 'latter rain' with Job's description of hope.
Supported by JFB
JFB connects the false comforters and vain dreams to Job's description of 'comfort in vain'.
Supported by JFB
JFB relates the scattering of sheep without a shepherd to Ezekiel's extensive indictment.
Supported by JFB
JFB links the visitation of the flock in Zechariah to the messianic visitation of Luke.
Supported by JFB
Poole and JFB note the shift from sheepish weakness to the military courage shown in chapter 9.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
JFB links asking Jehovah for rain to Jeremiah's declaration that only God can give showers.
Supported by JFB
Poole details the Hebrew terms for lightning and rain by cross-referencing Job's storm imagery.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poole mentions the specific judgments on false leaders and 'goats' by cross-referencing Jeremiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
JFB typologically associates the scattered shepherdless flock with the disciples forsaking Jesus.
Supported by JFB