Zechariah 10:4
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The cornerstone will come from Judah,the tent peg from him,as well as the battle bowand every ruler together.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Complete Redemption of the People of God. - This chapter contains no new promise, but simply a further expansion of the previous section, the condition on which salvation is to be obtained being mentioned in the introduction (Zac 10:1 and Zac 10:2); whilst subsequently, more especially from Zac 10:6 onwards, the participation of Ephraim in the salvation in prospect is more elaborately treated of. The question in dispute among the commentators, viz., whether Zac 10:1 and Zac 10:2 are to be connected with the previous chapter, so as to form the conclusion, or whether they form the commencement of a new address, or new turn in the address, is to be answered thus: The prayer for rain (Zac 10:1) is indeed occasioned by the concluding thought in Zac 9:17, but it is not to be connected with the preceding chapter as though it were an integral part of it, inasmuch as the second hemistich of Zac 10:2 can only be separated with violence from Zac 10:3. The close connection between Zac 10:2 and Zac 10:3 shows that Zac 10:1 commences a new train of thought, for which preparation is made, however, by Zac 9:17.
Open source ↗The scope of this chapter is much the same with that of the foregoing chapter - to encourage the Jews that had returned with hopes that though they had been under divine rebukes for their negligence in rebuilding the temple, and were now surrounded with enemies and dangers, yet God would do them good, and make them prosperous at home and victorious abroad. Now, I. They are here directed to eye the great God in all events that concerned them, and, both in the evils they suffered and in the comforts they desired, to acknowledge his hand (Zac 10:1-4). II. They are encouraged to expect strength and success from him in all their struggles with the enemies of their church and state, and to hope that the issue would be glorious at last (Zac 10:5-12).
Open source ↗10:4-12 A true shepherd is promised. 10:4 A cornerstone is the first-laid foundation stone upon which a building’s superstructure rests (see Job 38:6; Ps 118:22; Isa 28:16; Eph 2:20). • Just as a tent peg anchors a tent to the ground, so Judah will provide the future leaders needed to stabilize the Hebrew nation. • Many understand cornerstone, tent peg, and bow for battle as titles for the Messiah (cp. Isa 22:20-23; Zech 9:13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraimand the horse from Jerusalem,and the bow of war will be broken.Then He will proclaim peace to the nations.His dominion will extend from sea to sea,and from the Euphratesto the ends of the earth.
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
But I will camp around My house because of an army,because of those who march to and fro,and never again will an oppressor overrun My people,for now I keep watch with My own eyes.
But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes.
The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”
Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.
Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.