Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 9 ▾
Glory of God 5, 8, 13 Providence 5, 8 Chosen People 8, 11 Covenant 10-11 Joy 10 Redemption 11 Kingdom of God 11 Holiness 13 Worship 13
People 2 ▾
Judah Patriarchal 12 Judah Life of Christ 12
Speakers 2 ▾
Zechariah human 1-4, 7, 9, 11-13 God divine 5-6, 8, 10
Theophanies 1 ▾
Zechariah's Night Visions 1
Historic voices 7 ▾
City of God 1× 8-9 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1× 13 Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible 1× 1, 4-6, 8-13 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-13 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 6, 10, 12 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 6, 10 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 1× 2-7, 9-13
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 142 ▾
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What is Zechariah 2 about?

The visions continue as Zechariah sees a man going out with a measuring line to survey Jerusalem's breadth. Word comes that the city will overflow its old bounds, dwelling as unwalled towns because of its multitude, for God Himself will be 'a wall of fire round about, and... the glory in the midst of her.' The exiles still in Babylon are summoned to flee the north country, for whoever touches God's people touches 'the apple of His eye.' The daughter of Zion is called to sing, because the LORD promises, 'lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee,' and many nations will be joined to Him in that day. Carrying the first chapter's comfort forward, the vision widens the hope of restoration beyond a rebuilt city to God's own presence gathering the nations to Zion.

Historical backdrop

Zechariah takes up the same charge as Haggai, in the same year and the same broken city, under the same Persian peace. Darius I has mastered his empire, and its roads carry mounted royal couriers who patrol the provinces as the king's watching eyes. Judah is a small temple-state within that vast order, granted by Persia the right to rebuild its sanctuary and govern its own worship. Around the half-built temple the returned exiles labor under a governor, Zerubbabel of David's line, and a high priest, Joshua.

Matthew Henry on Zechariah 2
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 2
The Church Fathers on Zechariah 2

Zechariah 2

Zechariah Chapter 2
2

1And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. 3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, 4and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein. 5For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her. 6Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah. 7Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. 8For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. 9For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me. 10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith Jehovah. 11And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

12And Jehovah shall inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. 13Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah; for he is waked up out of his holy habitation.

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What is Zechariah 2 about?

The visions continue as Zechariah sees a man going out with a measuring line to survey Jerusalem's breadth. Word comes that the city will overflow its old bounds, dwelling as unwalled towns because of its multitude, for God Himself will be 'a wall of fire round about, and... the glory in the midst of her.' The exiles still in Babylon are summoned to flee the north country, for whoever touches God's people touches 'the apple of His eye.' The daughter of Zion is called to sing, because the LORD promises, 'lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee,' and many nations will be joined to Him in that day. Carrying the first chapter's comfort forward, the vision widens the hope of restoration beyond a rebuilt city to God's own presence gathering the nations to Zion.