Zechariah 1:18-21
Summary for Zech 1:18-21: 1:18-21 a The second vision states God’s plan to bring his judgment against the nations who destroyed Jerusalem and exiled Judah. The prophet leaves unspecified the identity of the nations represented by the four horns; it is best to view the number four as symbolic of all those nations who will face divine judgment for scattering the people of God.Summary for Zech 1:18-19: 1:18-19 b Then I looked up suggests that the prophet was interrupted by another vision while still preoccupied with the previous one (also in 2:1 c; 5:1 d; 6:1 e).
• Horns symbolized power and authority in the biblical world and might represent an individual ruler (see Dan 7:8 f; 8:8 g), a dynasty, or nations.
1:20 h The word translated blacksmiths could refer to any sort of craftsmen (mason, carpenter, smith). If the horns representing the nations were metal (see 1 Kgs 22:11 i), then blacksmiths were appropriate to the task of destroying them (see 2 Chr 24:12 j; Isa 44:12 k).
1:21 l humbled Judah: They literally lifted up their horns against Judah.
• The Lord would cut off those horns, throw them down to the ground, and bring an end to their authority. The Judeans did not need to fear the surrounding nations.
Copyright information for
TNotes