Zechariah 9:4

4 Behold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.

Zechariah 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 9:4

Behold, the Lord will cast her out
Or "inherit her" {f}, or "them", as the Septuagint render the words; when, being converted, she would become the Lord's inheritance and possession, and her riches should be devoted to his service: and he will smite her power in the sea;
for Tyre was situated in the sea, at the entry of it, and was strong in it, ( Ezekiel 26:17 ) ( 27:3 ) . Kimchi interprets this of her humiliation and subjection in the days of the Messiah; and in a spiritual sense it has been verified in such who have been spoiled of their carnal strength, in which they trusted, and have laid down their weapons, and have submitted to the sceptre of Christ: and she shall be devoured with fire;
with the spirit of judgment, and of burning, which purges and removes the filth of sin; and with the fire of the word, which burns up and consumes its lusts; and with the flames of divine love, which make souls as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. This was literally accomplished in the burning of Tyre by Alexander F7, which injected fear and dread in cities near it, as follow:


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (hnvrwy) (klhronomhsei autouv) , Setp.; "possidebit eam", V. L. Munster, Castalio. So some in Vatablus.
F7 Curtius, l. 4. c. 4.

Zechariah 9:4 In-Context

2 Emath also in the borders thereof, and Tyre, and Sidon: for they have taken to themselves to be exceeding wise.
3 And Tyre hath built herself a strong hold, and heaped together silver as earth, and gold as the mire of the streets.
4 Behold the Lord shall possess her, and shall strike her strength in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire.
5 Ascalon shall see, and shall fear, and Gaza, and shall be very sorrowful: and Accaron, because her hope is confounded: and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ascalon shall not be inhabited.
6 And the divider shall sit in Azotus, and I will destroy the pride of the Philistines.
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