Zechariah Chapter 2

Old Testament Minor Prophet 13 Verses

What is Zechariah 2 about?

Rich messianic prophecy — the Branch, the 30 silver coins, the pierced one — pointing unmistakably to Jesus Christ. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
4and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein.
5For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her.
6Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah.
7Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
8For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
9For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me.
10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith Jehovah.
11And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me unto thee.
12And Jehovah shall inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
13Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah; for he is waked up out of his holy habitation.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, etc.] And saw a third vision; which, as Kimchi owns, refers to the times of the Messiah; though it might be of use to the Jews then present, to encourage them to expect the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in a literal sense: and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand: by whom is meant, not Nehemiah, nor Zerubbabel; (see <380410>Zechariah 4:10) who were concerned in the building of Jerusalem; nor any mere man, nor even a created angel; for, though he may be the same with the other angel, that did not talk with the prophet, (<380203>Zechariah 2:3) as Kimchi observes; seeing…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THIRD VISION. The man with the measuring-line. (Zac 2:1-13) man with a measuring-line--the same image to represent the same future fact as in Eze 40:3; 41, 42. The "man" is Messiah (see on Zac 1:8), who, by measuring Jerusalem, is denoted as the Author of its coming restoration. Thus the Jews are encouraged in Zechariah's time to proceed with the building. Still more so shall they be hereby encouraged in the future restoration.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“A man with a measuring line in his hand - Probably the Angel of the Lord, of whom Ezekiel has a like vision. Jerome: “He who before, when he lift up his eyes, had seen in the four horns things mournful, now again lifts up his eves to see a man, of whom it is written, “Behold a man whose name is the Branch” Zechariah 6:12; of whom we read above, “Behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees, which were in the bottom” Zechariah 1:8. Of whom too the Father saith; He builded My city, “whose builder and maker is God” Hebrews 11:10. He too is seen by Ezekiel in a description like this, “a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“With a line - Ready and prepared to lay out the platform of Jerusalem. Zechariah 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“2:1-5 The scope of the visions narrows from the cosmos (vision 1), to the nations (vision 2), to the city of Jerusalem. The vision itself (2:1-3) is followed by an explanation of its meaning (2:4-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“lifted: Zac 1:18 a man: Zac 1:16; Eze 40:3, Eze 40:5, Eze 47:4; Rev 11:1, Rev 21:15 Zechariah 2:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Whilst the second vision sets forth the destruction of the powers that were hostile to Israel, the third ( Zac 2:1-5) with the prophetic explanation ( Zac 2:6-13) shows the development of the people and kingdom of God till the time of its final glory. The vision itself appears very simple, only a few of the principal features being indicated; but in this very brevity it presents many difficulties so far as the exposition is concerned. It is as follows: Zac 2:1. "And I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold a man, and in his hand a measuring line. Zac 2:2. Then I said, Whither goest thou? And he said to me, To…”
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