Verse 1

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

rain, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14) = rain of rain = copious rains. App-92.

so, &c. Render: "of Jehovah Who maketh. and giveth".

shall make = Who maketh.

and give = and giveth.

them. Some codices, with Syriac, read "you".

Verse 2

idols. Hebrew. teraphim, or household gods. These cannot give rain (Jeremiah 14:22). vanity trash.

a flock = he-goats: i.e. bell-wethers. Compare Isaiah 14:9. Jeremiah 51:40.

Verse 3

punished = shall visit upon.

the LORD of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3.

goodly horse = majestic war-horse.

Verse 4

him: i.e. Judah (Zechariah 10:3), Compare Jeremiah 30:21.

came forth = went forth.

the corner = the corner-stone (Matthew 21:42) = Messiah.

nail = tent-pin, or peg. Compare Isaiah 22:23.

the battle bow. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for all kinds of weapons.

oppressor = governor, or ruler.

Verse 5

streets = lanes, or out-places.

Verse 6

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

hear = answer.

Verse 7

they. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34), reads "he".

they of Ephraim, &c. - they (or he) shall be as a mighty one (or warrior) of Ephraim.

as through wine = as wine [snaketh the heart to rejoice]. Psalms 104:15.

wine. Hebrew. yayin, App-7

children = sons.

Verse 8

hiss: or, signal. The figure is borrowed from bee -keepers (Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 7:18).

have increased = did increase [before]. Compare Ex, Zechariah 1:7.

Verse 9

sow. Compare Hosea 2:23.

people = peoples. they shall remember Me. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:1).

live with, &c. = live, and return with.

turn = return.

Verse 10

I will bring them again, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:3, Deuteronomy 30:5). See App-92.

place. Supply: "[the necessary room]".

Verse 11

And = Though.

he. Septuagint reads "they".

with = of. Gen, of Apposition. See App-17.

the river: i.e. the Nile.

Verse 12

walkup and down, &c. = walk (habitually). Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 5:24; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1). App-92. Compare Micah 4:5; Micah 6:8.

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah"s oracle.