Zechariah 1:16

16 "'I've come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time.' This is God speaking. 'I'll see to it that my Temple is rebuilt.' A Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies! 'The rebuilding operation is already staked out.'

Zechariah 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 1:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem
with mercies
Having returned the people of the Jews from their captivity to Jerusalem, in which he had shown abundant mercy to them: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts;
meaning the temple where he dwelt and was worshipped; the foundation of which had been laid two months before this prophecy was delivered, ( Haggai 2:18 ) and which should be raised up and finished, notwithstanding all the opposition of the enemy, and the discouragements of the people: and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem;
to measure with it, and build by it, the wall, streets, and houses of Jerusalem. The meaning is, that not only the temple should be built, but the city likewise, and that in great order, and with great exactness and symmetry; see ( Zechariah 2:1-4 ) . The Targum paraphrases it, "upon the building of the walls of Jerusalem".

Zechariah 1:16 In-Context

14 who then addressed me: "Tell them this. Tell them that God-of-the-Angel-Armies has spoken. This is God's Message: 'I care deeply for Jerusalem and Zion. I feel very possessive of them.

15 But I'm thoroughly angry with the godless nations that act as if they own the whole world. I was only moderately angry earlier, but now they've gone too far. I'm going into action.

16 "'I've come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time.' This is God speaking. 'I'll see to it that my Temple is rebuilt.' A Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies! 'The rebuilding operation is already staked out.'

17 Say it again - a Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies: 'My cities will prosper again, God will comfort Zion again, Jerusalem will be back in my favor again.'" Second Vision: Four Horns and Four Blacksmiths

18 I looked up, and was surprised by another vision: four horns!