Zechariah 9:2

2 and also Hamath, [which] borders on it; Tyre and Sidon--yes, they are very wise!

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 An oracle. The word of Yahweh [is] against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus [is] its resting place. For to Yahweh belongs the eye of humankind, and all the tribes of Israel,

2 and also Hamath, [which] borders on it; Tyre and Sidon--yes, they are very wise!

3 Tyre has built a fortification for itself, and it heaped up silver like dust, and gold like [the] mud of [the] streets.

4 Look! The Lord will drive it out and will hurl its outer ramparts into the sea, and it will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see and will be afraid, and Gaza will writhe exceedingly, and Ekron [also], because its hope is ruined. And the king from Gaza will perish, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.

Footnotes

• [a] That is, wise in their own eyes (ironic)