John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel , etc.] And against their enemies; for the good of the church of God, for its joy, comfort, and salvation; or, “concerning Israel” f263 ; what shall befall them in the latter day, as the destruction of antichrist, prophesied of in the preceding chapter ( Zechariah 11:1-17); and what is hereafter said may be believed that it shall be accomplished. The Lord is described in the greatness of his power, speaking as follows: saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens : as a curtain, ( <19A402> Psalm 104:2) the expanse or firmament of heaven, which is stretched out as a canopy over all the earth around: and layeth the foundation of the earth ; firm and sure, though upon the seas and floods, yea, upon nothing, ( Psalm 24:2 Job 26:7): and formeth the spirit of man within him ; the soul of man, with all its powers and faculties, gifts and endowments; which is of his immediate creation, and which he continues daily to form, and infuse into the bodies of men, and holds in life there; hence he is called the Father of spirits, ( Hebrews 12:9).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Here is a Divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel; for their comfort an benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels, an weaken the courage of the enemies of the church. The exact meaning is not clear; but God often begins by calling the poor and despised; an in that day even the feeblest will resemble David, and be as eminent i courage and every thing good. Desirable indeed is it that the example and labours of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of Divine love, to sprea religion on the right hand and on the left.
Original Hebrew משׂא4853 דבר1697 יהוה3068 על5921 ישׂראל3478 נאם5002 יהוה3068 נטה5186 שׁמים8064 ויסד3245 ארץ776 ויצר3335 רוח7307 אדם120 בקרבו׃7130
