ZACHARIAS - Chapter 2

Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.

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ZACHARIAS - Chapter 2

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Zacharias ii.

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 3. Another. The angel who measured spoke to Michael. (Calmet)

Ver. 4. Walls. This must be understood of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of Christ. (Challoner) --- According to St. Augustine (in Psalm lxxi.) when the literal sense cannot be verified, we must have recourse to the thing prefigured; and thus what is here written, must be explained of the Church rather than of Jerusalem. (Worthington) --- A little before the fall of the latter, it was become so populous that the houses which had been built without the walls were enclosed. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 6.) --- This multitude was a sort of pledge or figure of the crowds which should embrace the gospel.

Ver. 5. Fire, to enlighten and protect it. Arms will be unnecessary, Micheas v. 10., and Isaias ii. 4. The Church shall enjoy peace.

Ver. 6. North. Many Jews had not yet returned, Esther, &c. --- Winds, Ezechiel v. 2, 12. (Calmet) --- Gentiles, and ye children of Sion, flee from Babylon and from sin into the true Church. (Worthington)

Ver. 8. Glory. After restoring you to your own country, and rebuilding your cities, I will punish your enemies. (Calmet) --- After they have enjoyed prosperity, they shall feel the reverse. Hebrew Cabod, (Haydock) means also "a burden."

Ver. 9. Prey. Two years after this (Calmet) the Assyrians revolted, and seized Babylon. (Justin i.) --- They slew the useless women: but Zopyrus betrayed the place to Darius, who hung 3,000 of the principal inhabitants, and demolished the walls. (Herodotus iii. 150.; Usher, year of the world 3489.)

Ver. 11. Nations. We know of none who embraced the Jewish law. But both the old and the new world submits to Christ. --- Dwell. St. Michael represents the Messias. The latter preached and wrought miracles among the Jews, which rendered them inexcusable, John xv. 24. (Calmet)

Ver. 13. Silent: obey with reverence. (Haydock) See Habacuc ii. 20., and 1 Machabees i. 3. (Calmet) --- Habitation, becoming man. (Menochius)

Bible Text & Cross-references:

Under the name of Jerusalem, he prophesieth the progress of the Church of Christ, by the conversion of some Jews, and many Gentiles.

1 And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, with a measuring line in his hand.

2 And I said: Whither goest thou? and he said to me: To measure Jerusalem, and to see how great is the breadth thereof, and how great the length thereof.

3 And behold the angel that spoke in me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him.

4 And he said to him: Run, speak to this young man, saying: Jerusalem shall be inhabited without walls, by reason of the multitude of men, and of the beasts, in the midst thereof.

5 And I will be to it, saith the Lord, a wall of fire round about: and I will be in glory in the midst thereof.

6 O, O flee ye out of the land of the north, saith the Lord, for I have scattered you into the four winds of heaven, saith the Lord.

7 O Sion, flee thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon:

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts: After the glory he hath sent me to the nations that have robbed you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye:

9 For behold, I lift up my hand upon them, and they shall be a prey to those that served them: and you shall know that the Lord of hosts sent me.

10 Sing praise, and rejoice, O daughter of Sion: for behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: saith the Lord.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee: and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me to thee.

12 And the Lord shall possess Juda, his portion in the sanctified land: and he shall yet choose Jerusalem.

13 Let all flesh be silent at the presence of the Lord: for he is risen up out of his holy habitation.