Zechariah 9:2

2 And Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because 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 will rest upon Damascus; For the eye of man And of all the tribes of Israel is toward Yahweh;

2 And Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

3 Tyre built herself a stronghold, And heaped up silver like the dust, And fine gold like the mire of the streets.

4 Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, And he will strike her power in the sea; And she will be devoured with fire.

5 Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; As will Ekron, for her expectation will be put to shame; And the king will perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon will not be inhabited.