Zechariah 2:1

“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 he seems to be superior to him that did; yet not a ministering spirit, but the…”

“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.”

“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 man whose appearance was like the appearance of brass” Ezekiel 40:3, that is,…”

“With a line - Ready and prepared to lay out the platform of Jerusalem. Zechariah 2:2”

“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).”

“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”

“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 measure Jerusalem, to see how great its breadth, and how great its length. Zac 2:3.…”