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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

CHAPTER TWELVE:
AN ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON PIERCED

Summary

YHWH by His prophet Zechariah declares a siege against Jerusalem as she becomes a heavy burden to all peoples. However, Jerusalem will finally be protected and restored. There will be great moaning over the piercing of someone like an only-begotten son. A key phrase is quoted by John at John 19:37 and alluded to at Revelation 1:7.

Zechariah 12:1-6 – A Siege against Jerusalem

ZC12:1 The weighty message against Israel from the Word of Y^eH^oW^aH as the utterance of Y^eH^oW^aH 317 – the One expanding the starry universe, and the One laying earth’s foundation, 318 and the One creating the breath within humankind. 319

317	The weighty message against Israel from the Word of YeHoWaH as the utterance of YeHoWaH: Or, ASV: The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. The message is to Israel.

318

The One expanding the starry universe, and the One laying earth’s foundation: Or, ASV: who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth; LXX: by whom the heavens are stretched out [EKTEINON OURANON] and the bases of the earth [THEMELION GEN] put in place. [Job 26:7; Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 42:5; 44:24] The Hebrew for “stretch” is NATAH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5186, extend].

319

The One creating the breath within humankind: Or, JPS: forms the spirit [RUWACH] of man [ADAM] within him; LXX: the spirit [PNEUMA] of man [ANTHROPOU] formed inside him. See “breath” in Job 9:18; 27:3; 33:4; 34:14; Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 3:19-21; 12:7; Acts 17:25. Compare notes on Genesis 2:7 or see the work Where Are the Dead?

ZC12:2 Watch! I am causing Jerusalem to become a bowl of confusion to all the surrounding peoples. 320 Also Judah will be included in the siege against Jerusalem. 321 [Luke 19:43, 44; 21:20]

320

Watch! I am causing Jerusalem to become a bowl of confusion to all the surrounding peoples: Or, ASV: behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about; BAS: I will make Jerusalem a cup of staggering unto all the peoples round about; JPS: as trembling door-posts to all the nations round about; LXX: a cup of shaking fear. In Zechariah there are several faces of Jerusalem, or several forms. In view of the several allusions in Revelation to Zechariah chapter 14 it seems fair to conclude that in one form this Jerusalem is the New Jerusalem represented by the end-time Saints on earth at the time of the Great Oppression. In another form it is the Jerusalem during the generation of Jesus Christ. Compare notes on Zechariah 14:13.

321

Judah will be included in the siege against Jerusalem: Or, JPS: and in Judea there shall be a siege against Jerusalem; LXX: when Jerusalem is shut in. The LXX Greek uses PERIOKHE [about, around] while the Nazarene is translated using PERICYCLOSOUSIN at Luke 19:43 and CYCLOUMENE at Luke 21:20. Compare Zechariah 14:14.

ZC12:3 It will happen on that day that I will cause Jerusalem to become to all the peoples a stone to trample on. 322 [Luke 21:24; Revelation 11:2] Every person who attempts to pick her up will only cut themselves into pieces. 323 For a certainty all the national groups of the earth will gather against her. 324

322

It will happen on that day that I will cause Jerusalem to become to all the peoples a stone to trample on: Or, JPS: And it shall come to pass in that day that I will make Jerusalem a trodden stone to all the nations; NJB: a stone too heavy; LXX: I will make Jerusalem a stone of great weight for all the peoples. Another version of the LXX [Bagster] uses “a trodden stone” in harmony with the Greek LITHON KATAPATOUMENON WHILE Jesus is shown using PATOUMENE at Luke 21:24. We cannot over look the PATESOUSIN at Revelation 11:2, for in that prophetic context it is “the Holy City” New Jerusalem being trampled on by the non-Jews when the Great Oppression takes place upon the end-time Saints. For more details see the work The Prophetic Horizon and notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000-2002© on Daniel 7:22; 12:1 and Revelation 11:1-13; 12:14, 17; 13:5, 7. That “day” has two forms: a] first upon literal Jerusalem and Judea between 66-73 AD; and, b] upon the end-time Saints as New Jerusalem future inhabitants, during the Great Oppression.

323

Every person who attempts to pick her up will only cut themselves into pieces: Or, ASV: all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; BAS: all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; JPS: every one that tramples on it shall utterly mock at it; LXX: all those who take it up will be badly wounded. Bagster’s says, “tramples on it” in harmony with KATAPATON.

324

For a certainty all the national groups of the earth will gather against her: Or, ASV: and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it; LXX: and all the nations [ETHNE] of the earth will come together against it; NJB: all the nations of the world will be massed against her. Compare Zechariah 14:2. [Luke 21:24; Revelation 11:2]

ZC12:4 Y^eH^oW^aH declares in that day, I will strike terror in every horse of the peoples, turning the riders crazy. 325 I will continue looking upon the House of Judah, striking blind every horse of the peoples. 326

325	I will strike terror in every horse of the peoples, turning the riders crazy: Or, ASV: I will smite every horse with terror, and his rider with madness; BAS: with bewilderment; LXX: I will put fear into every horse and make every horseman go off his head [PARAPHRONESEI]. [Deuteronomy 28:28]

326

I will continue looking upon the House of Judah, striking blind every horse of the peoples: Or, ASV: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the peoples with blindness; JPS: and I will smite all the horses of the nations with blindness; LXX: my eyes [OPHTHALMOUS] will be open on the people of Judah, and I will make every horse of the peoples blind.

ZC12:5 That will be when the leaders of Judah say in their hearts, ‘Those who dwell in Jerusalem are my strength because of Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies their God.’ 327

327

That will be when the leaders of Judah say in their hearts, ‘Those who dwell in Jerusalem are my strength because of YeHoWaH of [celestial] armies their God: Or, ASV: And the chieftains of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Jehovah of hosts their God; JPS: And the captains of thousands of Juda shall say in their hearts, We shall find for ourselves the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the Lord Almighty their God. Compare Zechariah 12:8. [Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 41:10; Joel 3:16]

ZC12:6 In that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a blazing skillet on a pile of dry sticks, like a lighted torch in harvested wheat. 328 Just so they will consume all the peoples on their right and on their left. Jerusalem will once again be inhabited in her own location – in Jerusalem. 329

328

In that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a blazing skillet on a pile of dry sticks, like a lighted torch in harvested wheat: Or, ASV: In that day will I make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; JPS: a firebrand among wood, and as a torch of fire in stubble. [Isaiah 10:17; 41:15; 62:1; Obadiah 18]

329

Just so they will consume all the peoples on their right and on their left. Jerusalem will once again be inhabited in her own location – in Jerusalem: Or, ASV: and they shall devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left; and they of Jerusalem shall yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem; LXX: Jerusalem will be living again in the place which is hers, that is, in Jerusalem. Compare Zechariah 2:4; 9:15; 12:10. [Jeremiah 31:38; Micah 4:13]

Zechariah 12:7-9 – Jerusalem Protected

ZC12:7 “But Y^eH^oW^aH will first rescue the tents of Judah so that the honor of the dynasty of David – as well as the honor of Jerusalem’s inhabitants – do not become greater than [the honor] of Judah. 330

330

YeHoWaH will first rescue the tents of Judah so that the honor of the dynasty of David – as well as the honor of Jerusalem’s inhabitants – do not become greater than [the honor] of Judah: Or, ASV: Jehovah also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem be not magnified above Judah; LXX: will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the family of David and the glory of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah.

ZC12:8 In that day Y^eH^oW^aH will throw a covering protection over Jerusalem’s inhabitants. 331 Thus those unsteady among them will be just like David, and David’s dynasty like God, like the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH in their sight. 332

331	In that day YeHoWaH will throw a covering protection over Jerusalem’s inhabitants: Or, ASV: In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; LXX: the Lord will be a cover over the people of Jerusalem. Return to Zechariah 2:5; 9:15. [Jeremiah 23:6; Joel 3:16] Note Revelation 7:15.

332

Thus those unsteady among them will be just like David, and David’s dynasty like God, like the Angel of YeHoWaH in their sight: Or, ASV: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them; BAS: and the house of David shall be as a godlike being, as the angel of the LORD before them; LXX: the family of David will be as God [THEOU], as the angel [ANGELOS] of the Lord before them [ENOPION AURON]; TAN: like a divine being. That is, the weakest will become strong like David, and David’s House [or, Dynasty] like God. The latter is paralleled with the Angel of Yahweh. [Ezekiel 34:24; Hosea 3:5; Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 9:6] Note how Paul parallels Christ with an angel at Galatians 4:14. Compare the Angel of Yahweh as representing God before Israel in Exodus 23:20-23.

ZC12:9 In that day it will happen that I will search out and destroy all those national groups that war against Jerusalem. 333

333

In that day it will happen that I will search out and destroy all those national groups that war against Jerusalem: Or, ASV: And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. This language must be modified with Zechariah 14:16. For there it is clear that some nations survive and go on to worship God.

Zechariah 12:10-14 – Moaning over the Pieced One

ZC12:10 “Then upon David’s dynasty, and upon Jerusalem’s inhabitants, I will cause to flow the spirit of unmerited favor and [the spirit] of prayerful supplications. 334 Then they will gaze upon the person they pierced. 335 [John 19:37; Revelation 1:7] They will moan over him as one moans over [the death of] an only-begotten son. 336 They will groan over him with bitter tears as one who groans with bitter tears over a firstborn son. 337 [Luke 2:7]

334

Then upon David’s dynasty, and upon Jerusalem’s inhabitants, I will cause to flow the spirit of unmerited favor and [the spirit] of prayerful supplications: Or, JPS: And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace [RUWACH CHEN] and compassion; LXX: And I will send down on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem the spirit of grace [PNEUMA CHARITOS] and of prayer. The prophetic context is the generation of the Nazarene as the next phrase indicates. The words are fulfilled in Acts chapters 1, 2. The word “spirit” here may refer to God’s Spirit, but it is also possible that the meaning is “a disposition [attitude] of grace and prayer. On the Old English word “grace” compare notes on KHARIS in the Christian Scriptures. [2 Chronicles 6:21; Isaiah 33:15; 44:3; Jeremiah 31:9; Joel 2:28; Acts 3:19]

335

Then they will gaze upon the person they pierced: Or, ASV: and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; BAS: and they shall look unto Me because they have thrust him through; JPS: and they shall look upon me; LXX: their eyes will be turned to the one who was wounded by their hands; BAG: they shall look upon me; NJB: they will look to me. They will mourn for the one they have pierced; RHM: they will look unto me whom they have pierced [Eastern “unto him”]; TAN: footnote: Hebrew uncertain]. The phrase is quoted by John 19:37 OPSONTAI EIS HON EXEKENTESAN. The LXX Greek reads: KOPSONTAI EP AUTON and is variously rendered: EINT: they will look at [him] whom they pierced; NJB: they will look to the one whom they pierced; BAR: they shall look on him whom they have pierced. Theodotion reads, “to the One whom.” There are various views on the exact wording. Perhaps, “they will gaze upon the person [the one] they pierced.” The Greek is masculine and so some read “him.” At Revelation 1:7 an allusion to the phrase is made in what may be something of a hymn – KAI [and] OPSETAI [will see] AUTON [him] PAS [every] OPHTHALMOUS [eye] KAI [and] HOITIVES [the ones who] AUTON [him] EXEKETESAN [pierced]. [English Interlinear New Testament] Judging from John the thrust is that of witnesses who saw what happened to Christ. On the piercing of Messiah compare Psalm 22:16. Note Psalm 22:16, 17 in the LXX: They pierced my hands and my feet… and they observed and looked upon me. [BAG] Here it is clearly the Messiah and not YHWH who is pierced and thus gazed upon as witnesses to the event. See also Isaiah 53:5. [“pierced” – RHM, NIV]

336

They will moan over him as one moans over [the death of] an only-begotten son: Or, ASV: and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son; JPS: they shall make lamentation for him, as for a beloved friend; NJB: only child; TAN: favorite son; LXX: and they will be weeping for him as for an only son. The LXX Greek uses AGAPETO [beloved]. The following phrase points to a male, a first-born son. Note the weeping and wailing at John 16:20; 20:11, 13. The grief of the disciples was foretold. [Luke 23:28]

337

They will groan over him with bitter tears as one who groans with bitter tears over a firstborn son: Or, ASV: as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born; JPS: they shall grieve intensely, as for a firstborn [YACHIYD]; LXX: and their grief for him will be bitter, like the grief of one sorrowing for his oldest son [PROTOTOKO]. Jesus is called just such a firstborn son. See PROTOKOS at Psalm 89:27 [LXX]; Luke 2:7; Romans 8:29; Colossians 12:15.

ZC12:11 On that day there will be great moaning in Jerusalem [Luke 23:48] just like the moaning at Mighty-Pomegranates on the plain of Megiddo. 338

338

On that day there will be great moaning in Jerusalem just like the moaning at Mighty-Pomegranates on the plain of Megiddo: Or, ASV: In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon; JPS: In that day the lamentation in Jerusalem shall be very great, as the mourning for the pomegranate grove cut down in the plain. [2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:22] The name Megiddo, a valley plain, is part of the word “Armageddon” at Revelation 16:16. Paul enumerates about 500 disciples who witnessed the resurrection of Christ. However, upon his execution one can imagine they great weeping in Jerusalem.

ZC12:12 Just so the land will moan – families alone, 339 the house of David’s family [Matthew 1:6] alone, and their women alone. The house of Nathan’s family alone, [Luke 3:31] and their women alone. 340

339	Alone: A subtle prophecy of the loan weeping of Jesus disciples “out of fear of the Jews.” [John 20:19]

340

Just so the land will moan – families alone, the house of David’s family alone, and their women alone. The house of Nathan’s family alone, and their women alone: Or, JPS: And the land shall lament in separate families, the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; LXX: And the land will give itself to weeping, every family separately; the family of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves. It is interesting to note how this great weeping focuses on the lineage of David and includes women or wives. Indeed, such occurred at the death of Messiah. [Luke 23:48, 49; Mark 15:40] On David’s family line to Jesus see Matthew 1:6. This would include Mary and her household and many others related to Jesus. On the family line of Nathan see Luke 3:31. Note that the LXX Greek uses PHYLAS for “family” [clans, tribes] just as it is in Revelation 1:7, indicating that the “tribes of the earth” are not non-Jews, but rather belonging to the “twelve tribes of Israel” just as Revelation 7:4 has it.

ZC12:13 The house of the family of Levi alone [Luke 5:27], and their women alone. 341 The family of Shimei 342 alone, and their wives alone.

341	The house of the family of Levi alone, and their women alone: Compare the family line of Levi at Luke 3:24. This would include at least Matthew the tax collector. [Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27]

342	Shimei: The grandson of Levi and so also related in the family line of Jesus and his disciples. [Exodus 6:16, 17; 1 Chronicles 23:6, 7, 10, 11]

ZC12:14 And finally all the remaining families alone, and their women alone. 343

343	And finally all the remaining families alone, and their women alone: Or, JPS: all the families that are left, each family by itself, and their wives by themselves. The “coincidence” of such Jewish descendent relatives present when Messiah is pierced is a miracle in itself! [Mark 15:41]