Zechariah

Zechariah 3:1

Ver. 1. Jesus, or Josue, the son of Josedec, the high priest of that time. Ch. ---

To him this literally refers. W. --- As high priest, he represented the nation, whom several calumniated to Darius. 1 Esd. iv. &c. God represses the adversary and adorns his people. It seems something has been done amiss. v.

4. C. --- The high priest, (S. Jer.) or rather his sons, have married strangers.

Chal. 1 Esd. x. 18. Many Fathers take Jesus for a figure of the Messias, covered with the sins of mankind. C. --- But the Orient (v. 8) would not thus be promised unto him, (S. Jer.) unless we consider him also as high priest. ---

Satan. Sept. "the devil;" the accuser and calumniator. Apoc. xii. 10.

Zechariah 3:2

Ver. 2. The Lord said. This may refer to the angel, or to the Father and the Son.

Ps. cix. Both are styled Jehovah. --- Bread, alluding to the nation, or to Jesus.

Have not the suffered enough?

Amos iv. 11. C.

Zechariah 3:3

Ver. 3. Garments. Negligences and sins. Ch. --- Jesus had neglected to urge the building of the temple, or to repress unlawful marriages. 1 Esd. viii. W.

Zechariah 3:4

Ver. 4. Change, such as were worn on festivals. This shewed that the people should exchange adversity for joy.

Zechariah 3:5

Ver. 5. Mitre, (cydarim) the pontiff's tiara, of byssus. Ex. xxviii. 4.

Zechariah 3:7

Ver. 7. Judge. The high priests were at the head till the Machabees. Jos. Ant. xi.

4. and xx. 8. ---

Yet the nation was, (C.) till Simon, (H.) always dependent; and the judges were under foreign kings or governors. C. --- Give thee, &c. Angels to attend and assist thee. Ch. --- They are promised to help the pastors of the Church. W. ---

They shall give information. v. 9. Ex. xxiii.

20. C. --- Of them. Sept. "who shall converse in the midst of these who stand:"

(H.) thy children shall succeed in the pontificate. Theod.

Zechariah 3:8

Ver. 8. Portending men. That is, men who by words and actions are to foreshew wonders that are to come; (Ch.) or rather they require prodigies before they will take courage to build the temple; or they understand how to explain such things. C. --- Orient; Christ, who according to his humanity is the servant of God, is called the Orient, from his rising like the sun in the east to enlighten the world. Ch. --- S. Luke explains this of Christ, (W.) recording the words of Zacharias. H. --- Christ's birth was most pure. He gave light to the world. Some would explain this of Zorobabel; but as he was already present, it would seem more applicable to Nehemias. Yet both were only figures of Christ, and could not efface the iniquity of Juda, &c. The Messias is styled the Bud, C.

vi. 12. Is. iv. 2. &c. C. --- Tsemach signifies either "the bud or the orient." H.

Zechariah 3:9

Ver. 9. The stone. Another emblem of Christ, the rock, foundation, and corner-stone of his Church. --- Eyes. The manifold providence of Christ over his Church, or the seven gifts of the Spirit of God. Ch. --- The Jews were lately returned from a country where seven chief officers were styled "the king's eyes," having to inform him of the conduct of governors, &c. Zorobabel shall build the temple, as a figure of Christ establishing his Church. C. iv. 10. ---

Grave. Sept.

"dig a pit." The rest agree with us. Christ adorns and instructs his Church. C.

--- Day. The day of the passion of Christ, the source of all our good: when this precious stone shall be graved, that is cut and pierced with whips, thorns, nails, and spear. Ch.

Zechariah 3:10

Ver. 10. Tree. All shall be peace and concord. H. --- They shall communicate to each other spiritual goods, abounding in the Church. M.