Zechariah12
English Standard Version
1The of the of the Lord : Thus the Lord, who the and the and the of him:
2 , I am about to a of to all the . The will be .
3On I will a for the . who it will themselves. And the of the will it.
4On , the Lord, I will with , and its with . But for the sake of the of I will keep my , when I every of the with .
5Then the of shall to , The of have through the Lord of , their .
6On I will the of like a in the midst of , like a among . And they shall to the and to the all the , while shall again be in its place, in .
7And the Lord will give to the of , that the of the of and the of the of may that of .
8On that the Lord will the of , so that the among them on that shall be like , and the of shall be like , like the of the Lord, going them.
9And on I will to the that .
10And I will on the of and the of a of and , so that, when they on me, they have , they shall him, as one mourns for an , and bitterly him, as one a .
11On that the in will be as as the for in the of .
12The shall , by : the of the of by , and their by ; the of the of by , and their by ;
13the of the of by , and their by ; the of the by , and their by ;
14and the that are , by , and their by .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Punishment of the enemies of Judah. (1–8). Repentance and sorrow of the Jews. (9–14).
vv1-8
Here is a Divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel; for their comfort and benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels, and weaken the courage of the enemies of the church. The exact meaning is not clear; but God often begins by calling the poor and despised; and in that day even the feeblest will resemble David, and be as eminent in courage and every thing good. Desirable indeed is it that the examples and labours of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as a torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of Divine love, to spread religion on the right hand and on the left.
vv9-14
The day here spoken of, is the day of Jerusalem's defence and deliverance, that glorious day when God will appear for the salvation of his people. In Christ's first coming he bruised the serpent's head, and broke all the powers of darkness that fought against God's kingdom among men. In his second coming he will complete their destruction, when he shall put down all opposing rule, principality, and power; and death itself shall be swallowed up in that victory. The Holy Spirit is gracious and merciful, and is the Author of all grace or holiness. He, also, is the Spirit of supplications, and shows men their ignorance, want, guilt, misery, and danger. At the time here foretold, the Jews will know who the crucified Jesus was; then they shall look by faith to him, and mourn with the deepest sorrow, not only in public, but in private, even each one separately. There is a holy mourning, the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit; a mourning for sin, which quickens faith in Christ, and qualifies for joy in God. This mourning is a fruit of the Spirit of grace, a proof of a work of grace in the soul, and of the Spirit of supplications. It is fulfilled in all who sorrow for sin after a godly sort; they look to Christ crucified, and mourn for him. Looking by faith upon the cross of Christ will cause us to mourn for sin after a godly sort.
Key Words
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נְאֻם: an oracle
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
יָסַד: to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יָצַר: to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)
Cross References
Zechariah 12Explicitly cited in John's Gospel as fulfilled when the soldier pierced Jesus' side.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ as the stone of stumbling that grinds to powder those who oppose Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Eschatological vision of Christ returning, where those who pierced Him will mourn.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Similar preface declaring God's creative power over heavens and earth to assure His promises.
Supported by JFB
Addresses God as the Father/former of spirits, matching Zechariah's description of the human soul.
Supported by JFB
God removes the cup of trembling from Jerusalem and gives it to her oppressors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The dramatic strengthening of the weak, echoing 'let the weak say, I am strong.'
Supported by JFB
The divine Angel of the Lord who goes before Israel to defend them.
Supported by JFB
The tragic national mourning for King Josiah who was slain at Megiddo.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Nathan, son of David, traceably listed in the messianic genealogy of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole