Zechariah 12:6

“In that day will I make the governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood, etc.] As a large hearth of fire, with wood all about it, devours and consumes it; so shall the governors of Judah be to the nations that shall come up against Jerusalem. The Targum renders it, “as a garment of fire among wood:” and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; of wheat, which presently destroys it; (see Obidiah 1:18): and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left; on the south and on the north, as the Targum interprets it. The phrase denotes the utter destruction of the people on all sides: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, [even] in Jerusalem;…”

“On "governors of Judah," see on Zac 9:7. hearth--or pan. torch . . . in a sheaf--Though small, it shall consume the many foes around. One prophet supplements the other. Thus Isa. 29:1-24; Joel 3:1-21; Zec. 12:1-14:21, describe more Antichrist's army than himself. Daniel represents him as a horn growing out of the fourth beast or fourth kingdom; St. John, as a separate beast having an individual existence. Daniel dwells on his worldly conquests as a king; St. John, more on his spiritual tyranny, whence he adds a second beast, the false prophet coming in a semblance of spirituality. What is briefly described by one is more fully prophesied by the other [ROOS].”

“I will make the governors of Judah like a hearth - or “cauldron” of fire large, broad, deep, and full of fire, among the wood which is prepared for burning, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf The fire could not kindle the wood or the sheaf, of itself, unless applied to it. All is of the agency of God: “I will make.” Ribera: “He foretells the increase of the Church, which by such persecutions shall not be diminished, but shall be marvelously increased. The preachers of the Church shall raise up all the peoples round about, shall destroy all unbelief, and shall kindle the hearts of hearers with the fire of the divine word.” “On the right hand and on the left.” Ribera: “He indicates the…”

“Like a hearth - A hearth on which fire is thoroughly kindled. In her own place - Not built as Nineveh, Babylon, or Rome, in some place near old cities, but in the very same place where old Jerusalem stood. Zechariah 12:7”

“12:6 flame (literally firepan): Bronze or gold firepans were used to carry hot coals to and from the sacrificial altars of the Tabernacle and the Temple (Exod 27:3; 1 Kgs 7:50). God would set Israel among the nations like a burning firepan to destroy or purify them.”

“like an hearth: Isa 10:16, Isa 10:17; Oba 1:18; Rev 20:9 they: Zac 9:15; Psa 149:6-9; Isa 41:15, Isa 41:16; Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45; Mic 4:13, Mic 5:5-8; Rev 19:19, Rev 19:20 on the right: Isa 9:20, Isa 54:3; Co2 6:7 Jerusalem shall: Zac 1:16, Zac 2:4, Zac 2:12, Zac 8:3-5, Zac 14:10, Zac 14:11; Neh. 11:1-36; Jer 30:18, Jer 31:38-40; Eze 48:30-35 Zechariah 12:7”