Zec 9:15 | TNotes | STEP | 9:15 In ancient battles, great stones (literally sling-stones ) were hurled at defenders on city walls and catapulted onto the inhabitants inside. The Maccabees’ triumph over the Hellenistic Seleucids in the 100s BC might have partially fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy of Israel’s defeat of the Greeks (see 1 Maccabees 3:16-24; 4:6-16; 7:40-50). • They will be filled with blood ... drenched with blood: When the Lord unleashes his armies against the Greeks, the amount of bloodshed will be vast. • like a bowl: Ceremonial sprinkling bowls filled with animal blood were used in the rituals of sacrifice. This image almost suggests that the vanquishing of the Lord’s enemies is in some sense an offering to him (see Exod 24:6 ; Lev 1:5 ; 16:18 ).

bExod 24:6►

cLev 1:5►

‏ Zechariah 9:15

9:15 ^a In ancient battles, great stones (literally sling-stones) were hurled at defenders on city walls and catapulted onto the inhabitants inside. The Maccabees’ triumph over the Hellenistic Seleucids in the 100s BC might have partially fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy of Israel’s defeat of the Greeks (see 1 Maccabees 3:16-24; 4:6-16; 7:40-50).

• They will be filled with blood ... drenched with blood: When the Lord unleashes his armies against the Greeks, the amount of bloodshed will be vast.

• like a bowl: Ceremonial sprinkling bowls filled with animal blood were used in the rituals of sacrifice. This image almost suggests that the vanquishing of the Lord’s enemies is in some sense an offering to him (see Exod 24:6 ^b; Lev 1:5 ^c; 16:18 ^d).