14Yahweh will be seen over them; and his arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
15Yahweh of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
16Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
14 Yahweh will be seen over them; and his arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Lord Yahweh will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 Yahweh of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
16 Yahweh their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
KJVKing James Version
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
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JPSJPS Tanakh (1917)
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord GOD will blow the horn, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts will defend them; and they shall devour, and shall tread down the sling-stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like the basins, like the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, glittering over His land.
Isaiah 62:3(v16)You will also be a crown of beauty in Yahweh‘s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.
Psalms 18:14(v14)He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.
Haggai 2:23(v16)In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Yahweh, ‘and will make you as a…
Zechariah 12:6(v15)In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; and they will devour…
Luke 12:32(v16)Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
Show all 63 cross-references
John 10:27(v16)My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Psalms 100:3(v16)Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Isaiah 66:15(v14)For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and his chariots will be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke…
Ezekiel 34:22-26(v16)therefore I will save my flock, and they will no more be a prey. I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up one shepherd over…
Ezekiel 34:31(v16)You my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are men, and I am your God,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”
Zechariah 10:7(v15)Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will rejoice as through wine; yes, their children will see it, and rejoice. Their heart…
Zechariah 12:8(vv14–15)In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house…
Exodus 27:2(v15)You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze.
Psalms 78:65(v15)Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.
Psalms 144:5-6(v14)Part your heavens, Yahweh, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your…
Isaiah 21:1(v14)The burden of the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the South sweep through, it comes from the wilderness, from an awesome land.
Isaiah 27:13(v14)It will happen in that day that a great trumpet will be blown; and those who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and those who…
Isaiah 40:10(v16)Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before…
Isaiah 60:3(v16)Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:14(v16)The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you; and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your…
Jeremiah 31:11(v16)For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
Habakkuk 3:11(v14)The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear.
Zechariah 2:5(v14)For I,’ says Yahweh, ‘will be to her a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory in the middle of her.
Zechariah 10:5(v15)They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders…
Zechariah 14:3(v14)Then Yahweh will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
1 Peter 5:2-4(v16)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but…
Leviticus 4:18(v15)He shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before Yahweh, that is in the Tent of Meeting; and the rest of the blood…
Leviticus 4:25(v15)The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He…
Isaiah 30:30(v14)Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the descent of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and the flame of…
Zechariah 8:23(v16)Yahweh of Armies says: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of…
Revelation 19:13-21(v15)He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” The armies which are in heaven followed him on white…
Exodus 14:24-25(v14)In the morning watch, Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. He…
Leviticus 4:7(v15)The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Yahweh, which is in the Tent of Meeting; and he…
Joshua 6:4-5(v14)Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you shall march around the city seven times, and…
Joshua 10:11-14(v14)As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, Yahweh hurled down great stones from the sky on them to…
Joshua 10:42(v14)Joshua took all these kings and their land at one time because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
1 Samuel 17:45(v15)Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh…
Psalms 45:3-5(v14)Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty. In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth,…
Psalms 77:17-18(v14)The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around. The voice of your thunder was in the…
Song of Solomon 1:4(v15)Take me away with you. Let’s hurry. The king has brought me into his rooms. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will praise your love…
Song of Solomon 5:1(v15)I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have…
Song of Solomon 7:9(v15)Your mouth is like the best wine, that goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding through the lips of those who are asleep.
Isaiah 11:10-12(v16)It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will…
Isaiah 18:3(v14)All you inhabitants of the world, and you dwellers on the earth, when a banner is lifted up on the mountains, look! When the trumpet is…
Isaiah 31:5(v14)As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”
Isaiah 37:35(v15)‘For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.’ ”
Isaiah 55:1(v15)“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and…
Jeremiah 23:3(v16)“I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and…
Micah 5:8(v15)The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, among many peoples, like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among…
Micah 7:14(v16)Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your heritage, who dwell by themselves in a forest, in the middle of fertile pasture…
Zephaniah 3:20(v16)At that time I will bring you in, and at that time I will gather you; for I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the…
Zechariah 9:17(v15)For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
Zechariah 14:20(v15)In that day there will be on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO YAHWEH”; and the pots in Yahweh’s house will be like the bowls before the…
Matthew 28:20(v14)teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Acts 2:13-18(v15)Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them,…
Acts 4:10-11(v14)may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God…
Romans 15:19(v14)in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully…
1 Corinthians 1:18(v15)For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5(v14)for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations…
Ephesians 5:18(v15)Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
Hebrews 2:4(v14)God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own…
Revelation 6:2(v14)And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
Micah 5:4(v16)He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God: and they will live, for then he…
63 distinct cross-references across this passage (64 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Calvin1540 · Public DomainOn vv14–16He goes on with the same subject, but explains…
He goes on with the same subject, but explains what I have said — that victory is promised to the Jews, not that which they could gain by their own power, but that which should happen to them beyond their expectation; for this is what is meant when he says, that God would be seen over them. For though the events of all wars depend on God, yet he is said to be seen where there is a remarkable victory, which cannot be accounted for by men. When unequal armies engage, it is no wonder when one becomes victorious; and it may sometimes be that a less number overcomes a greater, even because it exceeded the other in courage, in counsel, in skill, or in some other way, or because the larger army fought from a disadvantageous position, or trusting in its own strength rushed on inconsiderately. But when consternation alone dejects one party and renders the other victorious, in this case the power of God becomes evident. And even heathens have thought that men are confounded from above when courage fails them; and this is most true. We now then understand why the Prophet says, that God would be seen over the Jews, even because they would conquer their enemies, not by usual means, not after an earthly manner, but in a wonderful way, so that it would appear evident to be the work of God.
He then adds, Go forth shall his arrow as lightning. He again repeats and confirms what we have already observed that there would be no movement among the Jews, no celerity, but what would be like the sword, which lies quiet on the ground, except it be taken up by the hand of man, and what also would be like the arrow, which can do no harm except it be thrown by some one. We then see that the victory mentioned before is ascribed to God alone. And for the same reason he adds what follows, that Jehovah would come with the shout of a trumpet, and also, with the whirlwind of the south. In a word, he means that the work of God would be evident when the Jews went forth against the enemies by whom they had been oppressed and would still be oppressed. That they might not then compare their own with their enemies’ strength, the Prophet here brings God before them, by whose authority, guidance, and power this war was to be carried on. And then, that he might extol God’s power, he says, that he would come with the shout of a trumpet, and with the whirlwind of the south
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Interpreters take the whirlwinds of the south simply for violent storms; for we know that the most impetuous whirlwinds arise from the south. But as the Prophet joins the whirlwinds of the south to the shout of a trumpet, he seems to me to allude to those miracles by which God showed to the Jews in a terrific manner his power on Mount Sinai, for the desert of Teman and Mount Paran were in that vicinity. We have seen a similar passage in the third chapter of Habakkuk Habakkuk 3:1, “God,” he said, “shall come from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.” The Prophet’s object was to encourage the Jews to entertain hope; for God, who had long concealed himself and refrained from helping them, would at length come forth to their aid. How? He reminded them in that passage of the records of ancient history, for God had made known his power on Mount Sinai, in the desert of Teman, and it was the south region with regard to Judea; and we also know that trumpets sounded in the air, and that all this was done that the Jews might reverently receive the law, and also that they might feel certain that they would be always safe under God’s hand, since he thus shook the elements by his nod, and filled the air with lightnings and storms and whirlwinds, and also made the air to ring with the shouts of trumpets. It is for the same reason that the Prophet speaks in this passage, when he says, that God would make himself known as formerly, when he astonished the people by the shouts of trumpets, and also when he appeared in whirlwinds on Mount Sinai. He then adds —
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv15–16He promiseth that the Jews shall destroy their enemies,…
He promiseth that the Jews shall destroy their enemies, and have abundance and excess of all things, as there is abundance on the altar when the sacrifice is offered: Which things are not to move them to intemperancy, but to sobriety, and a thankful remembrance of God’s great liberality.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv14–16Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over…
Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Ver. 14. And the Lord shall be seen over them] Shall be conspicuous among them; he shall appear for them in the high places of the field, he shall make bare his arm, and bathe his sword in blood. How many do you reckon me at? said Antigonus to his soldier’s, when they feared the multitudes of their enemies. May not God say so much more to his? Hath ever any waxed fierce against him and prospered? If he but arise only, his enemies shall be scattered, and those that hate him shall flee before him, Psa 68:1.
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His arrow shall go forth with the lightning] Here the former matter is illustrated by many lofty tropes and allusions either to those ancient deliverances at the Red Sea, and against the Canaanites and Philistines, by thunders, lightning, and tempest, or else, as Calvin rather thinks, to the terrible delivery of the Law, with thunderings and lightnings, and sound of trumpets, to the great amazement of the people, insomuch as Moses himself said, "I exceedingly fear and quake." He confers Hab 3:3-5, and further allegeth that Teman, here rendered the South, was the same with Sinai, and lies south from Judaea. Lightning, thunder, and whirlwinds are a part of God’s armies, which he can draw forth at his pleasure against his enemies. Such things as these happened often times in the wars of the Maccabees. And how the Lord mightily assisted his apostles, whose arrows went forth as the lightning, swiftly, suddenly, irresistibly, and whose thunder gave a loud alarm to all nations, I need not relate, Paulum quotiescunque lego, non verba mihi audire videor sod tonitrua.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv14–16The Lord, the Almighty God, the God of Israel,…
The Lord, the Almighty God, the God of Israel, Lord of hosts,
shall be seen over them; shall manifestly appear for them by his works of power against their enemies.
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His arrow; alluding to warriors, that then used the bow: God’s judgments, which slew his church’s enemies, were swift, irresistible, and sudden in striking and killing them.
Shall go forth as the lightning; which breaks forth with violence, and runs from east to west in a moment, which is very terrible many times.
The Lord God; their God, the God of Israel,
shall blow the trumpet, give the alarm to them to provide for the war, sound the call to bring them together, and the march also for their moving, and sound the charge too; God will infuse new courage, and give directions.
And shall go, in the head of them as Captain-general,
with whirlwinds, with fury and strength like that of whirlwinds,
of the south, in which the mightiest whirlwinds are raised; or whirlwinds of Teman: some think the prophet alludes to the tempest about Sinai at the delivery of the law, when all Israel, and Moses too, quaked for fear, Deu 5:23-25; yea, quaked exceedingly, and desired to see no more such sight.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv14–16And the Lord shall be seen over them,.... His…
And the Lord shall be seen over them,.... His apostles and ministers: or, "shall appear to them" (q); and be seen by them, as he was in the days of his flesh; they saw his person, his miracles, his sorrows, and sufferings; they saw him after his resurrection, and some have seen him since his ascension, with the eyes of their bodies, as well as with the eyes of their understandings; and so were fit to be witnesses of him: or, "the Lord shall appear over them", or "upon them" (r); he was seen over, and above them, when he ascended up to heaven; and upon them, by the descent of his Spirit on them at the day of Pentecost, and in other miraculous gifts bestowed upon them: or, "the Lord shall appear unto", or "for them" (s); by giving strength of body, and fortitude of mind; by protecting and preserving them, and by succeeding their labours:
and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: meaning the Gospel, and the swift progress of it, as well as the light it communicates, and the glory that goes along with it, and the efficacy of it:
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and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet; of the Gospel, so called, in allusion to the jubilee trumpet, which proclaimed liberty to servants, and restoration of inheritances: or to the trumpets made for the congregation of Israel to gather them together, and to express their joy at feasts: or to the trumpet used to proclaim war, and as an alarm for it; and this was blown by the Lord himself in person when here on earth, and by his ministers in his name:
and shall go with whirlwinds of the south; that is, the Lord in the ministration of the Gospel shall go forth with the efficacy and energy of the Spirit: the Spirit is compared to "wind", because he works in a sovereign way where he listeth, and oftentimes imperceptibly, and ever powerfully; and to the "south" wind, because that brings warmth, serenity, and calmness, produces rain, and makes fruitful; and he it is which makes the Gospel efficacious; see Sol 4:16.
(q) "aderit illis", Vatablus, Drusius. (r) "Super cos", V. L. Calvin; "super eis", Montanus, Piscator; "super illis", Cocceius. (s) So the particle is sometimes used; see Noldius, p. 690, 703.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv14–16Shall be seen - Shall manifestly appear for them.…
Shall be seen - Shall manifestly appear for them. His arrow - His judgments, swift, irresistible, and sudden. As the lightning - Which breaks forth with violence, and runs from east to west in a moment. The Lord God - Their God, the God of Israel, shall give the alarm to them, and sound the call to bring them together. Of the south - In which the mightiest whirlwinds are raised; some think the prophet alludes to the tempest at the delivery of the law.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv14–16Verse 14. The Lord shall be seen over them]…
Verse 14. The Lord shall be seen over them] Shadowing and refreshing them, as the cloud did the camp in the wilderness.
His arrow shall go forth as the lightning] They shall be conquered in a way that will show that God fights for his followers.
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The description here is very sublime; we have a good imitation of it in Nonnus: -
Και τοτε γαιαν ἁπασαν επεκλυσεν ὑετιος Ζευς,
Πυκνωσας νεφεεσσιν ὁλον πολον· ουρανιη γαρ
Βρονταιοις παταγοισι Διος μυκησατο σαλπιγξ.
NONN. DIONYS., lib. 6. ver. 229.
"When heaven's dread trumpet, sounding from on high,
Breaks forth in thunders through the darken'd sky;
The pregnant clouds to floods of rain give birth.
And stormy Jove o'erwhelms the solid earth."
J. B. B. C.
In these two verses there is a fine image, and an allusion to a particular fact, which have escaped the notice of every commentator. I must repeat the verses:
Zec 9:13: When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
Zec 9:14: And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrows shall go forth like lightning.
The reader will consult what is said on Ho 7:16, relative to the oriental bow, which resembles a [figure "C"] in its quiescent state, and must be recurved in order to be strung. Here, Judah is represented as the recurved bow; Ephraim, as an arrow placed on the string, and then discharged against the Javanites or Greeks with the momentum of lightning; the arrow kindling in its course through the air, and thus becoming the bolt of death to them against whom it was directed.
Volat illud, et incandescit eundo,
Et quos non habuit, sub nubibus invenit ignes.
"It flies apace; and, heating, mounts on high,
Glows in its course, and burns along the sky."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv14–16And the Lord shall be seen over them -…
And the Lord shall be seen over them - o “He will reveal himself,” protecting them. Cyril: “He says plainly, that the Lord God will be with them and will fight in serried array with them and will with them subdue those who resist them.” It is as if he would say, “When they go forth and preach everywhere, the Lord shall work with them and confirm the word with signs following” Mar 16:20. “And His arrow shall go forth as the lightning.” Habakkuk directly calls the lightnings the arrows of God: “at the light of Thine arrows they went” . Here it is probably of an invisible agency, and so compared to that awful symbol of His presence, the lightning.
And the Lord God shall blow with the trumpet - As their Commander, ordering their goings. The blowing of the trumpet by the priests in war was commanded, as a reminiscence of themselves before God, “If ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets, and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies” Num 10:9. Abijah said, “God Himself is with us for our captain, and His priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you” 2Ch 13:12.
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And shall go with whirlwinds of the south - As being the most vehement and destructive. So Isaiah, “As whirlwinds in the south sweep by, He cometh from a desert, from a terrible land” Isa 21:1. Such smote the four corners of the house where Job’s children were , and they perished.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn vv14–16Seen. God miraculously interposed in favour of the Machabees,…
Seen. God miraculously interposed in favour of the Machabees, and his angels appeared at their head, 1 Machabees ii. 22., and v. 2., and x. 29., and xi. 8., and xv. 15. A handful of men thus routed vast armies, and asserted their independence, avenging religion and the state, which they restored to greater splendour. --- South, whence storms usually arise in that country, Job xxxvii. 9. The angels confounded the enemy, 1 Machabees x. 30.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown1871 · Public DomainOn vv14–16Another image: "Jehovah shall be seen (conspicuously manifesting His…
Another image: "Jehovah shall be seen (conspicuously manifesting His power) over them" (that is, in behalf of the Jews and against their foes), as formerly He appeared in a cloud over the Israelites against the Egyptians (Exo 14:19, Exo 14:24).
his arrow . . . as . . . lightning--flashing forth instantaneous destruction to the foe (Psa 18:14).
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blow . . . trumpet--to summon and incite His people to battle for the destruction of their foe.
go with whirlwinds of the south--that is, go forth in the most furious storm, such as is one from the south (Isa 21:1). Alluding, perhaps, to Jehovah's ancient miracles at Sinai coming "from Teman" ("the south," in the Margin).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv14, 1614. Jehovah himself will take a hand in the…
14. Jehovah himself will take a hand in the conflict.
Shall be seen — Better, manifests himself.
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Over them — Over the sons of Zion; he comes from heaven and fights for them (Psa_24:8; Hab_3:11). The imagery of the description is borrowed from the thunderstorm (compare Psa_18:7-15).
His arrow — Compare Zec_9:13.
As the lightning — Lightning flashes are called the arrows of Jehovah (Psa_18:14); here his arrow Ephraim (Zec_9:13) is likened, in speed and destructiveness, to lightning.
Trumpet — Better, horn (see on Hos_5:8). Jehovah gives the signal to advance; then he himself rushes, at the head of his forces, against the enemy.
With whirlwinds of the south — Instead of with we should perhaps read like, which involves the interchange of two similar letters, that are confused in other places in the Old Testament. The storms coming from the south, from across the broad desert, are peculiarly severe (compare Isa_21:1; Job_37:9). Some have thought that there is here an allusion to the south (Sinai) as the original dwelling place of Jehovah, from which he was thought to proceed to assist his people (see on Hab_3:3; compare Jdg_5:4-5).
Zec_9:15 contains a vivid description of the bloody conflict. The sons of Zion need have no fear, for Jehovah will be their shield.
Devour,… drink — Like wild beasts they will fall upon their enemies to consume their flesh and drink their blood. A picture of utter destruction (compare Num_23:24).
Subdue with sling stones — R.V., “tread down the sling stones.” A.V. follows LXX. in taking sling stones as an instrumental accusative; they will subdue the enemies by the use of sling stones. However, the Revisers are probably correct in taking sling stones as the object. They may be regarded as representing all the missiles and weapons that are hurled by the enemies; these the sons of Zion will disregard entirely and trample under foot, and thus they will subdue the enemy and make a complete end of him (compare Job_41:28). Drink is separated from devour, so as to bring it into close connection with the next clause, with which it is logically connected.
Make a noise as through wine — They roar, as if they were intoxicated, in wild excitement over the wonderful triumph. The close connection of this clause with the preceding would be brought out more clearly if it were rendered as a circumstantial clause, “They shall drink, while making a noise as through wine.”
And they shall be filled like bowls — The bowls in which the blood of the sacrificial victims was caught (Exo_38:3; Num_4:14). As these are filled with the blood of sacrificial animals, so the Jews will be filled with the blood of their enemies.
As the corners of the altar — The reference is not to the putting of blood on the horns (Exo_29:12), but to the sprinkling of blood against the altar (Lev_1:5; Lev_1:11). According to rabbinical tradition this was done in such a manner that the four sides were covered with two sprinklings. In order to do this the bowls containing the blood had to be swung against two opposite corners with considerable force; therefore the corners and the space on either side of them were covered most thickly. To be covered with blood is a symbol of triumph (Isa_63:1-3).
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv14–1614. whirlwinds of the south] which were the most…
14. whirlwinds of the south] which were the most vehement and destructive. Isa_21:1; Job_37:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv14–16(14) Shall be seen over them.—Perhaps better, on their…
(14) Shall be seen over them.—Perhaps better, on their behalf shall He manifest Himself.
Of the south.—Whence the most violent storms frequently came from over the desert. (Comp. Psa_21:1.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv14–16The Lord shall be seen over them. To encourage…
The Lord shall be seen over them. To encourage the chosen people in the contest, the Lord shall make iris presence manifest as their Leader. His arrow. God"s arrows are the judgments which he inflicts upon his enemies, which come forth suddenly as the lightning flash, and cannot be avoided. (Psa_18:14 Hab_3:11) Shall blow the trumpet. As the signal of battle and calamity. (Num_10:9 Jud_1:7:19, 20 Eze_7:14 Amo_3:6 Zep_1:16) Whirlwinds of the south. He shall come upon the enemy and sweep them away with irresistible force. Storms from the south were the most violent, coming from the Arabian desert. (Job_37:9 Isa_21:1 Hos_13:15) Septuagint, Poreusetai en salw apeilhv autou ," He shall go in the surge of his menace."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn v16They shall be as the stones of a crown,…
Zec_9:16
They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land
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The Lords people
Here we see--
I.
The dignity of the lords people. They are stones, precious stones, set in the crown of the King of kings. God not only spares, but pardons and justifies them. In His righteousness they are exalted; they are not only saved, but ennobled. With kings are they upon the throne.
II. Here is also them exhibition. These stones of a crown are lifted up. They are not to be concealed. Our Saviour compares them to a city set, not in a valley, but on a hill which cannot be hid; and to a candle, placed, not under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. Christians need not be concealed--everything in their religion will bear examination, and challenges the eyes of all, whether infidels or philosophers or politicians or moralists. They ought not to be concealed--everything in their religion is adapted to do good; but for this purpose it must be known. They cannot be concealed,--their principles must operate; the sun cannot shine without showing itself.
III. Here is also their utility,--these stones of a crown are to be lifted up as an ensign upon His land. An oriflamme suspended over the royal tent, and designed to attract and aggregate followers to the cause in which he is engaged. Their calling, to hold forth the Word of Life. They are placed and displaced; to reprove, to convince, to excite and encourage others, to seek and serve God. They are witnesses for Him; trophies of the power and greatness and riches of His grace. They proclaim what He is able and willing to do. (William Jay.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv14, 16General Information:
General Information:
In verses 14-16, Zechariah describes how Yahweh will rescue Israel from their enemies.
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will appear to them
The word "them" refers to God's people. AT: "will be seen in the sky by his people" or "will come to his people"
his arrows will shoot out like lightning!
The Israelites sometimes thought of lightning bolts as arrows that God shot. (See: Simile)
blow the trumpet
The trumpets were rams' horns. People blew into them to give signals in battle and on other occasions. Here the trumpet is blown as a military signal.
will advance with the storms from Teman
Team was located to the south of Judah. The Israelites sometimes thought of God as traveling on violent storms coming from the south. AT: "will march from Teman with the storm winds"
they will devour them
"the people of Judah will devour their enemies"
will devour
To completely defeat enemies is spoken of as devouring them as a wild animal eats its prey. AT: "will completely defeat" (See: Metaphor)
defeat the stones of the slings
Slings to throw stones were a common weapon in the days of Zechariah. Here the "stones of the slings" represent the soldiers who were using them to attack Israel. AT: "defeat the enemies who attack them with slings and stones" (See: Metonymy)
Then they will drink and shout like men drunk on wine
The people of Judah will shout and celebrate their victory over their enemies as if they were noisy drunks. AT: "Then they will shout and celebrate their victory as loudly as if they were drunk" (See: Simile)
they will be filled with wine like bowls
This probably refers to the bowls that the priests used to carry animal's blood to the altar. AT: "they will be as full of wine as the basins with which priests carry blood to the altar" (See: Simile and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
like the corners of the altar
Altars had projecting corners that were drenched in animal blood. AT: "they will be drenched as the corners of the altar are covered in blood" (See: Simile and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Tyndale Open Study Notes2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv14–169:14 appear above his people: Zechariah borrows the image…
9:14 appear above his people: Zechariah borrows the image of a winged sun disk that artists pictured as protectively hovering over the Persian king. The Lord will protect Israel, go before them in battle, and show them his power. • The ram’s horn issues a summons (Num 10:2-3, 7-10; Isa 27:13) and declares God’s presence and power (Exod 19:19; 20:18). • The whirlwind depicts God as a warrior of devastating power and unpredictable swiftness (Ps 77:18; Isa 21:1; 29:6; 66:15). References to lightning bring Mount Sinai to mind (Exod 19:16) and with it God’s covenant promises to Israel.
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv14–16 He goes on with the same subject, but explains…
He goes on with the same subject, but explains what I have said — that victory is promised to the Jews, not that which they could gain by their own power, but that which should happen to them beyond their expectation; for this is what is meant when he says, that God would be seen over them. For though the events of all wars depend on God, yet he is said to be seen where there is a remarkable victory, which cannot be accounted for by men. When unequal armies engage, it is no wonder when one becomes victorious; and it may sometimes be that a less number overcomes a greater, even because it exceeded the other in courage, in counsel, in skill, or in some other way, or because the larger army fought from a disadvantageous position, or trusting in its own strength rushed on inconsiderately. But when consternation alone dejects one party and renders the other victorious, in this case the power of God becomes evident. And even heathens have thought that men are confounded from above when courage fails them; and this is most true. We now then understand why the Prophet says, that God would be seen over the Jews, even because they would conquer their enemies, not by usual means, not after an earthly manner, but in a wonderful way, so that it would appear evident to be the work of God.
He then adds, Go forth shall his arrow as lightning. He again repeats and confirms what we have already observed that there would be no movement among the Jews, no celerity, but what would be like the sword, which lies quiet on the ground, except it be taken up by the hand of man, and what also would be like the arrow, which can do no harm except it be thrown by some one. We then see that the victory mentioned before is ascribed to God alone. And for the same reason he adds what follows, that Jehovah would come with the shout of a trumpet, and also, with the whirlwind of the south. In a word, he means that the work of God would be evident when the Jews went forth against the enemies by whom they had been oppressed and would still be oppressed. That they might not then compare their own with their enemies’ strength, the Prophet here brings God before them, by whose authority, guidance, and power this war was to be carried on. And then, that he might extol God’s power, he says, that he would come with the shout of a trumpet, and with the whirlwind of the south
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Interpreters take the whirlwinds of the south simply for violent storms; for we know that the most impetuous whirlwinds arise from the south. But as the Prophet joins the whirlwinds of the south to the shout of a trumpet, he seems to me to allude to those miracles by which God showed to the Jews in a terrific manner his power on Mount Sinai, for the desert of Teman and Mount Paran were in that vicinity. We have seen a similar passage in the third chapter of Habakkuk Habakkuk 3:1, “God,” he said, “shall come from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.” The Prophet’s object was to encourage the Jews to entertain hope; for God, who had long concealed himself and refrained from helping them, would at length come forth to their aid. How? He reminded them in that passage of the records of ancient history, for God had made known his power on Mount Sinai, in the desert of Teman, and it was the south region with regard to Judea; and we also know that trumpets sounded in the air, and that all this was done that the Jews might reverently receive the law, and also that they might feel certain that they would be always safe under God’s hand, since he thus shook the elements by his nod, and filled the air with lightnings and storms and whirlwinds, and also made the air to ring with the shouts of trumpets. It is for the same reason that the Prophet speaks in this passage, when he says, that God would make himself known as formerly, when he astonished the people by the shouts of trumpets, and also when he appeared in whirlwinds on Mount Sinai. He then adds —
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15–16 He promiseth that the Jews shall destroy their enemies,…
He promiseth that the Jews shall destroy their enemies, and have abundance and excess of all things, as there is abundance on the altar when the sacrifice is offered: Which things are not to move them to intemperancy, but to sobriety, and a thankful remembrance of God’s great liberality.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over…
Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Ver. 14. And the Lord shall be seen over them] Shall be conspicuous among them; he shall appear for them in the high places of the field, he shall make bare his arm, and bathe his sword in blood. How many do you reckon me at? said Antigonus to his soldier’s, when they feared the multitudes of their enemies. May not God say so much more to his? Hath ever any waxed fierce against him and prospered? If he but arise only, his enemies shall be scattered, and those that hate him shall flee before him, Psa 68:1.
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His arrow shall go forth with the lightning] Here the former matter is illustrated by many lofty tropes and allusions either to those ancient deliverances at the Red Sea, and against the Canaanites and Philistines, by thunders, lightning, and tempest, or else, as Calvin rather thinks, to the terrible delivery of the Law, with thunderings and lightnings, and sound of trumpets, to the great amazement of the people, insomuch as Moses himself said, "I exceedingly fear and quake." He confers Hab 3:3-5, and further allegeth that Teman, here rendered the South, was the same with Sinai, and lies south from Judaea. Lightning, thunder, and whirlwinds are a part of God’s armies, which he can draw forth at his pleasure against his enemies. Such things as these happened often times in the wars of the Maccabees. And how the Lord mightily assisted his apostles, whose arrows went forth as the lightning, swiftly, suddenly, irresistibly, and whose thunder gave a loud alarm to all nations, I need not relate, Paulum quotiescunque lego, non verba mihi audire videor sod tonitrua.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv14–16 The Lord, the Almighty God, the God of Israel,…
The Lord, the Almighty God, the God of Israel, Lord of hosts,
shall be seen over them; shall manifestly appear for them by his works of power against their enemies.
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His arrow; alluding to warriors, that then used the bow: God’s judgments, which slew his church’s enemies, were swift, irresistible, and sudden in striking and killing them.
Shall go forth as the lightning; which breaks forth with violence, and runs from east to west in a moment, which is very terrible many times.
The Lord God; their God, the God of Israel,
shall blow the trumpet, give the alarm to them to provide for the war, sound the call to bring them together, and the march also for their moving, and sound the charge too; God will infuse new courage, and give directions.
And shall go, in the head of them as Captain-general,
with whirlwinds, with fury and strength like that of whirlwinds,
of the south, in which the mightiest whirlwinds are raised; or whirlwinds of Teman: some think the prophet alludes to the tempest about Sinai at the delivery of the law, when all Israel, and Moses too, quaked for fear, Deu 5:23-25; yea, quaked exceedingly, and desired to see no more such sight.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv14–16 And the Lord shall be seen over them,.... His…
And the Lord shall be seen over them,.... His apostles and ministers: or, "shall appear to them" (q); and be seen by them, as he was in the days of his flesh; they saw his person, his miracles, his sorrows, and sufferings; they saw him after his resurrection, and some have seen him since his ascension, with the eyes of their bodies, as well as with the eyes of their understandings; and so were fit to be witnesses of him: or, "the Lord shall appear over them", or "upon them" (r); he was seen over, and above them, when he ascended up to heaven; and upon them, by the descent of his Spirit on them at the day of Pentecost, and in other miraculous gifts bestowed upon them: or, "the Lord shall appear unto", or "for them" (s); by giving strength of body, and fortitude of mind; by protecting and preserving them, and by succeeding their labours:
and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: meaning the Gospel, and the swift progress of it, as well as the light it communicates, and the glory that goes along with it, and the efficacy of it:
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and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet; of the Gospel, so called, in allusion to the jubilee trumpet, which proclaimed liberty to servants, and restoration of inheritances: or to the trumpets made for the congregation of Israel to gather them together, and to express their joy at feasts: or to the trumpet used to proclaim war, and as an alarm for it; and this was blown by the Lord himself in person when here on earth, and by his ministers in his name:
and shall go with whirlwinds of the south; that is, the Lord in the ministration of the Gospel shall go forth with the efficacy and energy of the Spirit: the Spirit is compared to "wind", because he works in a sovereign way where he listeth, and oftentimes imperceptibly, and ever powerfully; and to the "south" wind, because that brings warmth, serenity, and calmness, produces rain, and makes fruitful; and he it is which makes the Gospel efficacious; see Sol 4:16.
(q) "aderit illis", Vatablus, Drusius. (r) "Super cos", V. L. Calvin; "super eis", Montanus, Piscator; "super illis", Cocceius. (s) So the particle is sometimes used; see Noldius, p. 690, 703.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Shall be seen - Shall manifestly appear for them.…
Shall be seen - Shall manifestly appear for them. His arrow - His judgments, swift, irresistible, and sudden. As the lightning - Which breaks forth with violence, and runs from east to west in a moment. The Lord God - Their God, the God of Israel, shall give the alarm to them, and sound the call to bring them together. Of the south - In which the mightiest whirlwinds are raised; some think the prophet alludes to the tempest at the delivery of the law.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Verse 14. The Lord shall be seen over them]…
Verse 14. The Lord shall be seen over them] Shadowing and refreshing them, as the cloud did the camp in the wilderness.
His arrow shall go forth as the lightning] They shall be conquered in a way that will show that God fights for his followers.
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The description here is very sublime; we have a good imitation of it in Nonnus: -
Και τοτε γαιαν ἁπασαν επεκλυσεν ὑετιος Ζευς,
Πυκνωσας νεφεεσσιν ὁλον πολον· ουρανιη γαρ
Βρονταιοις παταγοισι Διος μυκησατο σαλπιγξ.
NONN. DIONYS., lib. 6. ver. 229.
"When heaven's dread trumpet, sounding from on high,
Breaks forth in thunders through the darken'd sky;
The pregnant clouds to floods of rain give birth.
And stormy Jove o'erwhelms the solid earth."
J. B. B. C.
In these two verses there is a fine image, and an allusion to a particular fact, which have escaped the notice of every commentator. I must repeat the verses:
Zec 9:13: When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
Zec 9:14: And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrows shall go forth like lightning.
The reader will consult what is said on Ho 7:16, relative to the oriental bow, which resembles a [figure "C"] in its quiescent state, and must be recurved in order to be strung. Here, Judah is represented as the recurved bow; Ephraim, as an arrow placed on the string, and then discharged against the Javanites or Greeks with the momentum of lightning; the arrow kindling in its course through the air, and thus becoming the bolt of death to them against whom it was directed.
Volat illud, et incandescit eundo,
Et quos non habuit, sub nubibus invenit ignes.
"It flies apace; and, heating, mounts on high,
Glows in its course, and burns along the sky."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv14–16 And the Lord shall be seen over them -…
And the Lord shall be seen over them - o “He will reveal himself,” protecting them. Cyril: “He says plainly, that the Lord God will be with them and will fight in serried array with them and will with them subdue those who resist them.” It is as if he would say, “When they go forth and preach everywhere, the Lord shall work with them and confirm the word with signs following” Mar 16:20. “And His arrow shall go forth as the lightning.” Habakkuk directly calls the lightnings the arrows of God: “at the light of Thine arrows they went” . Here it is probably of an invisible agency, and so compared to that awful symbol of His presence, the lightning.
And the Lord God shall blow with the trumpet - As their Commander, ordering their goings. The blowing of the trumpet by the priests in war was commanded, as a reminiscence of themselves before God, “If ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets, and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies” Num 10:9. Abijah said, “God Himself is with us for our captain, and His priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you” 2Ch 13:12.
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And shall go with whirlwinds of the south - As being the most vehement and destructive. So Isaiah, “As whirlwinds in the south sweep by, He cometh from a desert, from a terrible land” Isa 21:1. Such smote the four corners of the house where Job’s children were , and they perished.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Seen. God miraculously interposed in favour of the Machabees,…
Seen. God miraculously interposed in favour of the Machabees, and his angels appeared at their head, 1 Machabees ii. 22., and v. 2., and x. 29., and xi. 8., and xv. 15. A handful of men thus routed vast armies, and asserted their independence, avenging religion and the state, which they restored to greater splendour. --- South, whence storms usually arise in that country, Job xxxvii. 9. The angels confounded the enemy, 1 Machabees x. 30.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv14–16 Another image: "Jehovah shall be seen (conspicuously manifesting His…
Another image: "Jehovah shall be seen (conspicuously manifesting His power) over them" (that is, in behalf of the Jews and against their foes), as formerly He appeared in a cloud over the Israelites against the Egyptians (Exo 14:19, Exo 14:24).
his arrow . . . as . . . lightning--flashing forth instantaneous destruction to the foe (Psa 18:14).
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blow . . . trumpet--to summon and incite His people to battle for the destruction of their foe.
go with whirlwinds of the south--that is, go forth in the most furious storm, such as is one from the south (Isa 21:1). Alluding, perhaps, to Jehovah's ancient miracles at Sinai coming "from Teman" ("the south," in the Margin).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv14, 16 14. Jehovah himself will take a hand in the…
14. Jehovah himself will take a hand in the conflict.
Shall be seen — Better, manifests himself.
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Over them — Over the sons of Zion; he comes from heaven and fights for them (Psa_24:8; Hab_3:11). The imagery of the description is borrowed from the thunderstorm (compare Psa_18:7-15).
His arrow — Compare Zec_9:13.
As the lightning — Lightning flashes are called the arrows of Jehovah (Psa_18:14); here his arrow Ephraim (Zec_9:13) is likened, in speed and destructiveness, to lightning.
Trumpet — Better, horn (see on Hos_5:8). Jehovah gives the signal to advance; then he himself rushes, at the head of his forces, against the enemy.
With whirlwinds of the south — Instead of with we should perhaps read like, which involves the interchange of two similar letters, that are confused in other places in the Old Testament. The storms coming from the south, from across the broad desert, are peculiarly severe (compare Isa_21:1; Job_37:9). Some have thought that there is here an allusion to the south (Sinai) as the original dwelling place of Jehovah, from which he was thought to proceed to assist his people (see on Hab_3:3; compare Jdg_5:4-5).
Zec_9:15 contains a vivid description of the bloody conflict. The sons of Zion need have no fear, for Jehovah will be their shield.
Devour,… drink — Like wild beasts they will fall upon their enemies to consume their flesh and drink their blood. A picture of utter destruction (compare Num_23:24).
Subdue with sling stones — R.V., “tread down the sling stones.” A.V. follows LXX. in taking sling stones as an instrumental accusative; they will subdue the enemies by the use of sling stones. However, the Revisers are probably correct in taking sling stones as the object. They may be regarded as representing all the missiles and weapons that are hurled by the enemies; these the sons of Zion will disregard entirely and trample under foot, and thus they will subdue the enemy and make a complete end of him (compare Job_41:28). Drink is separated from devour, so as to bring it into close connection with the next clause, with which it is logically connected.
Make a noise as through wine — They roar, as if they were intoxicated, in wild excitement over the wonderful triumph. The close connection of this clause with the preceding would be brought out more clearly if it were rendered as a circumstantial clause, “They shall drink, while making a noise as through wine.”
And they shall be filled like bowls — The bowls in which the blood of the sacrificial victims was caught (Exo_38:3; Num_4:14). As these are filled with the blood of sacrificial animals, so the Jews will be filled with the blood of their enemies.
As the corners of the altar — The reference is not to the putting of blood on the horns (Exo_29:12), but to the sprinkling of blood against the altar (Lev_1:5; Lev_1:11). According to rabbinical tradition this was done in such a manner that the four sides were covered with two sprinklings. In order to do this the bowls containing the blood had to be swung against two opposite corners with considerable force; therefore the corners and the space on either side of them were covered most thickly. To be covered with blood is a symbol of triumph (Isa_63:1-3).
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–16 14. whirlwinds of the south] which were the most…
14. whirlwinds of the south] which were the most vehement and destructive. Isa_21:1; Job_37:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–16 (14) Shall be seen over them.—Perhaps better, on their…
(14) Shall be seen over them.—Perhaps better, on their behalf shall He manifest Himself.
Of the south.—Whence the most violent storms frequently came from over the desert. (Comp. Psa_21:1.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv14–16 The Lord shall be seen over them. To encourage…
The Lord shall be seen over them. To encourage the chosen people in the contest, the Lord shall make iris presence manifest as their Leader. His arrow. God"s arrows are the judgments which he inflicts upon his enemies, which come forth suddenly as the lightning flash, and cannot be avoided. (Psa_18:14 Hab_3:11) Shall blow the trumpet. As the signal of battle and calamity. (Num_10:9 Jud_1:7:19, 20 Eze_7:14 Amo_3:6 Zep_1:16) Whirlwinds of the south. He shall come upon the enemy and sweep them away with irresistible force. Storms from the south were the most violent, coming from the Arabian desert. (Job_37:9 Isa_21:1 Hos_13:15) Septuagint, Poreusetai en salw apeilhv autou ," He shall go in the surge of his menace."
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v16 They shall be as the stones of a crown,…
Zec_9:16
They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land
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The Lords people
Here we see--
I.
The dignity of the lords people. They are stones, precious stones, set in the crown of the King of kings. God not only spares, but pardons and justifies them. In His righteousness they are exalted; they are not only saved, but ennobled. With kings are they upon the throne.
II. Here is also them exhibition. These stones of a crown are lifted up. They are not to be concealed. Our Saviour compares them to a city set, not in a valley, but on a hill which cannot be hid; and to a candle, placed, not under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. Christians need not be concealed--everything in their religion will bear examination, and challenges the eyes of all, whether infidels or philosophers or politicians or moralists. They ought not to be concealed--everything in their religion is adapted to do good; but for this purpose it must be known. They cannot be concealed,--their principles must operate; the sun cannot shine without showing itself.
III. Here is also their utility,--these stones of a crown are to be lifted up as an ensign upon His land. An oriflamme suspended over the royal tent, and designed to attract and aggregate followers to the cause in which he is engaged. Their calling, to hold forth the Word of Life. They are placed and displaced; to reprove, to convince, to excite and encourage others, to seek and serve God. They are witnesses for Him; trophies of the power and greatness and riches of His grace. They proclaim what He is able and willing to do. (William Jay.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14, 16 General Information:
General Information:
In verses 14-16, Zechariah describes how Yahweh will rescue Israel from their enemies.
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will appear to them
The word "them" refers to God's people. AT: "will be seen in the sky by his people" or "will come to his people"
his arrows will shoot out like lightning!
The Israelites sometimes thought of lightning bolts as arrows that God shot. (See: Simile)
blow the trumpet
The trumpets were rams' horns. People blew into them to give signals in battle and on other occasions. Here the trumpet is blown as a military signal.
will advance with the storms from Teman
Team was located to the south of Judah. The Israelites sometimes thought of God as traveling on violent storms coming from the south. AT: "will march from Teman with the storm winds"
they will devour them
"the people of Judah will devour their enemies"
will devour
To completely defeat enemies is spoken of as devouring them as a wild animal eats its prey. AT: "will completely defeat" (See: Metaphor)
defeat the stones of the slings
Slings to throw stones were a common weapon in the days of Zechariah. Here the "stones of the slings" represent the soldiers who were using them to attack Israel. AT: "defeat the enemies who attack them with slings and stones" (See: Metonymy)
Then they will drink and shout like men drunk on wine
The people of Judah will shout and celebrate their victory over their enemies as if they were noisy drunks. AT: "Then they will shout and celebrate their victory as loudly as if they were drunk" (See: Simile)
they will be filled with wine like bowls
This probably refers to the bowls that the priests used to carry animal's blood to the altar. AT: "they will be as full of wine as the basins with which priests carry blood to the altar" (See: Simile and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
like the corners of the altar
Altars had projecting corners that were drenched in animal blood. AT: "they will be drenched as the corners of the altar are covered in blood" (See: Simile and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
Yahweh
Lord Yahweh
trumpet
Yahweh of hosts
devour
wine
altar
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14–16 9:14 appear above his people: Zechariah borrows the image…
9:14 appear above his people: Zechariah borrows the image of a winged sun disk that artists pictured as protectively hovering over the Persian king. The Lord will protect Israel, go before them in battle, and show them his power. • The ram’s horn issues a summons (Num 10:2-3, 7-10; Isa 27:13) and declares God’s presence and power (Exod 19:19; 20:18). • The whirlwind depicts God as a warrior of devastating power and unpredictable swiftness (Ps 77:18; Isa 21:1; 29:6; 66:15). References to lightning bring Mount Sinai to mind (Exod 19:16) and with it God’s covenant promises to Israel.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.