Zechariah 2:1-11

1 Then I looked up and saw a man holding a line for measuring things.

2 I asked him, "Where are you going?" He said to me, "I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is."

3 Then the angel who was talking with me left, and another angel came out to meet him.

4 The second angel said to him, "Run and tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will become a city without walls, because there will be so many people and cattle in it.

5 I will be a wall of fire around it,' says the Lord. 'And I will be the glory within it.'

6 "Oh no! Oh no! Run away from Babylon, because I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven," says the Lord.

7 "Oh no, Jerusalem! Escape, you who live right in Babylon."

8 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "After he has honored me and sent me against the nations who took your possessions -- because whoever touches you hurts what is precious to me --

9 I will shake my hand against them so that their slaves will rob them." Then you will know that the Lord All-Powerful sent me.

10 "Shout and be glad, Jerusalem. I am coming, and I will live among you," says the Lord.

11 "At that time people from many nations will join with the Lord and will become my people. Then I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord All-Powerful has sent me to you.

Zechariah 2:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 2

This chapter contains a prophecy of the church under the Gospel dispensation; of the largeness and numbers of it; and of its protection and glory, through the presence of God in it. In this vision a man is seen with a measuring line in his hand, to measure Jerusalem with, Zec 2:1,2 upon which an angel bids the angel that talked with the prophet to declare to him the largeness, populousness, and safety of Jerusalem, Zec 2:3-5 then follows an exhortation to the people of God to come out of Babylon, Zec 2:6,7 and then a promise of the calling of the Gentiles, and of God's gracious inhabitation in his church, which would be matter of joy to Zion; and of his inheriting Judah, and choosing Jerusalem Zec 2:8-12 and the chapter is concluded with an address to all mankind, to be silent before the Lord, since he was raised up out of his habitation, Zec 2:13.