SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:13
Porque he entesado para mí a Judá como arco, e hice a Efraín su flecha, y despertaré tus hijos, oh Sion, contra tus hijos, oh Grecia, y te pondré como espada de valiente.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Zechariah 9:13
Verse 13. When I have bent Judah] Judah is the bow, and Ephraim is the arrows; and these are to be shot against the Greeks. I am inclined, with Bp. Newcome, to consider that the language of this prophecy is too strong to point out the only trifling advantage which the Maccabees gained over Antiochus, who was of Macedonian descent; and it is probable that these prophecies remain to be fulfilled against the present possessors of Javan or Greece, Macedonia, and a part of Asia Minor.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. When I have bent Judah for me , etc.] By whom are meant the apostles, who were Jews, and whose ministrations were made use of as a bow with arrows, to strike the hearts of men, and bring them into subjection to Christ: they were a bow of the Lord’s bending and preparing, and which abode in strength, being made strong and effectual through the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: filled the bow with Ephraim : or rather, “filled Ephraim with the bow” f208 ; filled his hand with it; meaning, that some out of the ten tribes, as were the apostles, should be employed in drawing the bow of the Gospel, and shooting its arrows, the doctrines of it; which are comparable to them for swiftness, suddenness, and secrecy, and for their piercing and penetrating nature: and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece ; that is, persons of the land of Judea, as such the apostles were, and who belonged to Zion the church of Christ; who were raised up, qualified, and sent forth by him into the Gentile world, with weapons of warfare, not carnal, but spiritual; against the Gentiles in general, and the wise men of Greece, as at Athens, in particular, to confound some, and to conquer others, and bring them to the obedience of Christ. Some understand this of the Maccabees raised up against Antiochus, and the Greeks that possessed the kingdom of Syria: and made thee as the sword of a mighty man ; that is, made the Gospel in the hands of the church, and of her sons, as a sword in the hand of a mighty man, by whom execution is done with it; this is the sword of the Spirit, even the word of God; and is sharp and cutting, and is the power of God unto salvation; as it is girt upon the thigh, and is in the hands of Christ the most Mighty; and as it is accompanied with the Spirit of God, and of power.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-17 - The prophet breaks forth into a joyful representation of the coming of the Messiah, of whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He too the character of their King, when he entered Jerusalem amidst the hosannas of the multitude. But his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. It shall not be advanced by outward force or carnal weapons. His gospe shall be preached to the world, and be received among the heathen. sinful state is a state of bondage; it is a pit, or dungeon, in whic there is no water, no comfort; and we are all by nature prisoners in this pit. Through the precious blood of Christ, many prisoners of Sata have been set at liberty from the horrible pit in which they mus otherwise have perished, without hope or comfort. While we admire Him let us seek that his holiness and truth may be shown in our own spirit and conduct. These promises have accomplishment in the spiritual blessings of the gospel which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. As the deliverance of the Jews was typical of redemption by Christ, so thi invitation speaks to all the language of the gospel call. Sinners ar prisoners, but prisoners of hope; their case is sad, but not desperate for there is hope in Israel concerning them. Christ is a Strong-hold, strong Tower, in whom believers are safe from the fear of the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the assaults of spiritual enemies. To him we must turn with lively faith; to him we must flee, and trust in his name under all trials and sufferings. It is here promised that the Lord would deliver his people. This passage also refers to the apostles, and the preachers of the gospel in the early ages. God wa evidently with them; his words from their lips pierced the hearts an consciences of the hearers. They were wondrously defended in persecution, and were filled with the influences of the Holy Spirit They were saved by the Good Shepherd as his flock, and honoured a jewels of his crown. The gifts, graces, and consolations of the Spirit poured forth on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2 and in succeeding times, ar represented. Sharp have been, and still will be, the conflicts of Zion's sons, but their God will give them success. The more we ar employed, and satisfied with his goodness, the more we shall admire the beauty revealed in the Redeemer. Whatever gifts God bestows on us, we must serve him cheerfully with them; and, when refreshed with blessings, we must say, How great is his goodness __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 דרכתי 1869 לי יהודה 3063 קשׁת 7198 מלאתי 4390 אפרים 669 ועוררתי 5782 בניך 1121 ציון 6726 על 5921 בניך 1121 יון 3120 ושׂמתיך 7760 כחרב 2719 גבור׃ 1368
