Zechariah 9:2

2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

Zechariah 9:2 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 9:2

And Hamath also shall border thereby
By the land of Hadrach, or by Damascus; and that it was near Damascus is clear from ( Isaiah 10:9 ) ( Jeremiah 49:23 ) it is called Hamath the great in ( Amos 6:2 ) and according to Jerom ^F4, is the same with Antioch, which he says was so called by some; and the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel on ( Numbers 13:21 ) , renders Hamath by Antioch: and, if so, here was the Lord's rest likewise; here the Gospel was preached, and many converted, and a church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, was formed; and here the disciples were first called Christians, ( Acts 11:26 ) . Tyrus and Zidon;
these were famous cities of Phoenicia; upon the borders of these our Lord himself was, ( Matthew 15:21 ) of the conversion of the inhabitants of these places the psalmist prophecies, ( Psalms 45:12 ) here likewise the Lord had his resting place; we read of the disciples here, ( Acts 21:3 Acts 21:4 ) ( 27:3 ) : though it be very wise;
particularly Tyre, which was famous for wisdom, ( Ezekiel 28:3 Ezekiel 28:4 ) which the Lord confounded by the preaching of the Gospel, and by the foolishness of that saved them that believe. Kimchi refers this to the times of the Messiah; his note is, she shall not trust in her wisdom in the time of the Messiah: so Ben Melech.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Comment. in Amos, fol. 44. C. & Quaest. Hebr. in Genesim, fol. 67. B. So Cyril. in Amos, p. 312.

Zechariah 9:2 In-Context

1 This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place— for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD —

2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

3 Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.

4 Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.