Zachariah 9: the God's message to be obeyed

 Guide:

·         New Testament, NKJV online, emphasis in bold, text in magenta; footnotes in superscript ^{sky blue} , discussion in yellow.

·         Old Testament, Orthodox Jewish Bible, text in green 

·         I may use endnotes to cite outside literature or extensive comment.

·         SA means Search Assist on google chrome.

·         Administrative comments in gray

Key concerns:

Zachariah 9

1.       V1: obligation to the God.

2.       List of nations:

a.       Aremeans lived in Hadrack.

b.       V2 Cannanites lived in Hamath.

c.       V3 Phoenicians lived in Tyre and Sidon.

d.       V5 Philistines lived in Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron.

e.       V6 Mixed ethnicities were in Ashdod.

3.       V9, Hashem. SA, “Elohim is a plural form often used to refer to God, emphasizing His majesty and power, while Adonai means "My Lords" and is used in prayer as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH). HaShem translates to "The Name" and is commonly used in casual conversation to avoid pronouncing God's sacred names, while HaShem Elohim combines both terms, referring to God in a respectful manner.” See also https://aish.com/understanding-the-different-names-for-god/

4.       V9 Salvation is key.

5.       V10 SA: “Moshiach is often associated with Yehoshua (Joshua), as both names relate to the same Hebrew root and are seen as significant in messianic prophecies.” Yeshua is not a feature of the Hebrew Bible.

6.       V11 blood of covenant essential to faith; first mentioned in Exodus 24:8.

a.       The Mosaic covenant is in Exodus 19-24. Exodus 19:4-6, NKJV, reads,”  ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

b.       SA: “Hagar was an Egyptian slave who became the concubine of Abraham and bore him a son named Ishmael, who is considered the progenitor of the Arab people. This connection makes Hagar a significant figure in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.” [Through Ishmael, Abram’s first born, the Quran, developed in the 7^th century CE, seems an Arab commentary on the Hebrew Bible.]

c.       [It seems Israel and other Hebrew Bible readers arrogantly attempt to force the-God to fulfill Genesis 1:26: rule life on earth. SA: “Blood sacrifices were actually discontinued after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, as the Temple was the central place for such rituals in Judaism. The loss of the Temple marked a significant shift in Jewish religious practices, leading to the development of Rabbinic Judaism.”]

Matthew 21, NKJV

            Christian projection of Yeshua is not a feature of the Hebrew Bible. Claiming prophesies like that in Zechariah 9 may seem honest to Paul, the Jewish entrepreneur, who claimed allegiance after Yeshua was executed. However, it lacks integrity to someone who appreciates to humankind the power, authority, and responsibility that is assigned in Genesis 1:26: rule on earth. Also, not accepting Genesis 1 seems in conflict with Exodus 19’s “obey My voice”. I detail Matthew 21 in other posts.

Zachariah 9, OJB text

9 The burden of the Devar [divine message]

Hashem against Eretz Chadrach, and Damascus its menuchah (resting place); for toward Hashem shall be the eyes of man as of Kol Shivtei Yisroel (all the tribes of Israel).

² And Chamat at its border; Tzor and Tzidon, though it be very wise.

³ And Tzor did build herself a matzor (stronghold), and heaped up kesef like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.

⁴ Hinei, Adonoi will cause it to be taken, and He will strike her power on the yam; and she shall be devoured with eish.

⁵ Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Azah (Gaza) also shall see it, and tremble greatly, and Ekron; for her hope shall be put to shame; and Melech [king] shall perish out of Azah (Gaza), and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

⁶ And mamzer shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the ga’on (pride) of the Pelishtim (Philistines).

⁷ And I will take away his dahm [blood] out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; but he will also remain to Eloheinu, and he shall be as a tribe prince in Yehudah, and Ekron like the Yevusi (Jebusite).

⁸ And I will encamp about Mine Bais against military power, because of him that goes maurading to and fro; and no oppressor shall pass through them any more; for now I am keeping watch with Mine eyes.

⁹ Rejoice greatly, O Bat Tziyon; shout, O Bat Yerushalayim; hinei, thy Melech cometh unto thee, tzaddik, and having Salvation; ani (lowly, meek), and riding upon a chamor, even upon a colt the foal of a donkey. [Mt 21:5; Yn 12:15]

¹⁰ And I will cut off the chariot from Ephrayim [the 10 Northern tribes of Israel], and the war horse from Yerushalayim, and the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall proclaim shalom unto the Goyim {non-Jews}; and His [Moshiach’s] [a future leader who will bring peace and salvation to the Jewish people] dominion shall be from yam even to yam, and from the [Euphrates] river even to the ends of ha’aretz [the impacted land].

¹¹ As for thee also, by the dahm of thy Brit [covenant] I release thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no mayim [water] [T.N. Notice the blood of the Covenent is essential to Israel’s Orthodox faith].

¹² Return to the stronghold, ye prisoners of tikvah (hope); even today do I proclaim that I will repay double unto thee;

¹³ I will bend Yehudah [SA: “Yehudah refers to the tribe of Judah, which is significant in the context of Zechariah 9 as it represents the people of Jerusalem and the lineage of the future king, often associated with the Messiah.”] as I bend My keshet (bow), fill it with Ephrayim, and I will rouse thy banim [descendants], O Tziyon, against thy banim, O Yavan (Greece), and make thee like the cherev (sword) of a gibbor (mighty man).

¹⁴ And Hashem shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and Adonoi Hashem shall sound the shofar, and shall march forth with storms of the south.

¹⁵ Hashem Tzva’os shall shield them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and shall roar as through yayin [wine -- joy and celebration; blessings and abundance]; and they shall be full like a bowl, like the corners of the mizbe’ach.

¹⁶ And Hashem Eloheihem [the Lord your God] shall save them in Yom HaHu as the tzon of His people; for they shall be as the jewels of a crown, sparkling in His land.

¹⁷ For how great is its goodness, and how great is its beauty! Grain shall make the bochurim thrive, and tirosh, the betulot.