Zechariah10
New International Version
1Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
2The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
3“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the Lord Almighty will care for his flock, the people of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle.
4From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.
5Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.
6“I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7The Ephraimites will become like warriors, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.
8I will signal for them and gather them in. Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before.
9Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return.
10I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them.
11They will pass through the sea of trouble; the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up. Assyria’s pride will be brought down and Egypt’s scepter will pass away.
12I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely,” declares the Lord.
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