John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. When they had sent unto the house of God , etc.] It is, in the Hebrew text, “when he sent Bethel”; which some, as Kimchi observes, take to be the name of a man that was sent along with those after mentioned; but the Targum and the Septuagint render it, “when”, or “after he had sent unto Bethel”: not the place so called in Jacob’s time; but Jerusalem, where the temple or house of God was now building; and it may be observed, that the words are expressed in the singular number, “when he had sent” f140 ; and not, as we render them, “when they had sent”; and agreeably, in ( Zechariah 7:3), it is said, “should I weep”, etc. as if these messengers were sent by a single person, and yet a body of people is meant; and not the captives that remained in Babylon, as most interpreters understand it; but the Jews that were returned from thence, and were in Judea, as Junius and Tremellius observe; for to them the answer is returned, and to them does the Lord by the prophet direct his speech throughout the whole chapter. The persons sent were Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men ; who these persons were is not known; they were, no doubt, principal men of the people, by whom they were sent, and the chief of the embassy, and had others with them inferior to them: part of their business at Bethel, or the house of God, was, to pray before the Lord ; that they might be directed aright, and have a proper answer returned to the question they came with. The temple at Jerusalem was the place where men used to go up to pray; (see Luke 18:10).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we mus not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God' ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose specia business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to questio whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city an temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry in a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There wa the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercise are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glor as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self wa the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fas days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, tha they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they mus be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.
Original Hebrew וישׁלח7971 בית אל1008 שׂר אצר8272 ורגם מלך7278 ואנשׁיו582 לחלות2470 את853 פני6440 יהוה׃3069
