Zechariah 2:6

“Ho, ho, etc.] This word expresses a call and proclamation; and is doubled, as Kimchi observes, to confirm it; and so the Targum paraphrases it, “proclaim to the dispersed:” [come forth], and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord; that is, from Babylon, which lay north of Judea; (see <240113>Jeremiah 1:13,14) (<240312>Jeremiah 3:12 6:22 16:15) where many of the Jews continued, and did not return with the rest when they came up out of the captivity; and are therefore called to come forth from thence in haste; and figuratively designs, either the people of God that are among the men of the world, and are called to separate from them, and have no fellowship with there; or such as will…”

“flee from the land of the north--that is, from Babylon: a type of the various Gentile lands, from which the Jews are to be recalled hereafter; hence "the four winds of heaven" are specified, implying that they are to return from all quarters (Deu 28:64; Jer 16:15; Eze 17:21). The reason why they should flee from Babylon is: (1) because of the blessings promised to God's people in their own land; (2) because of the evils about to fall on their foe (Zac 2:7-9). Babylon was soon to fall before Darius, and its inhabitants to endure fearful calamities (Isa 48:20; Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45). Many of the Jews in Zechariah's time had not yet returned to Judea. Their tardiness was owing to (1)…”

“Ho! ho! and flee - Such being the safety and glory in store for God’s people in Jerusalem, He who had so provided it, the Angel of the Lord, bids His people everywhere to come to it, saving themselves also from the peril which was to come on Babylon. So Isaiah bade them, “Go ye forth of Babylon; flee ye from the Chaldaeans with a voice of singing; declare ye, tell this, utter it to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob” Isaiah 48:20. “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence; touch no unclean thing: go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” Isaiah 52:11; and Jeremiah, “Flee ye out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver…”

“Ho, ho - Ye sleepy Jews. Come forth - Come out from your prisons. Flee - Make all the haste you can. From the land - Babylon, which lay north of Canaan. For I have spread you abroad - As I executed my threats in scattering you, so I will perform my promise, and gather you. Zechariah 2:7”

“2:6-13 God’s call for the exiles’ return from Babylon anticipated his people’s restoration to the land of Israel (2:6-9) and the restoration of his presence to his people in Jerusalem (2:10-13). 2:6 Come away! The emphatic command carries the force of a promise that the Lord would lead his people out of exile and into a restored Jerusalem (cp. Isa 55:1). • the land of the north: It was necessary to travel north in order to move to the east, so Babylonia was thought of as lying in the north. • four winds: The Hebrew exiles would return to Judah and Jerusalem from all directions (see Ezek 12:14; 37:9).”

“ho: Rut 4:1; Isa 55:1 and flee: Zac 2:7; Gen 19:17; Isa 48:20, Isa 52:11, Isa 52:12; Jer 1:14, Jer 3:18, Jer 31:8, Jer 50:8, Jer 51:6; Jer 51:45, Jer 51:50; Co2 6:16, Co2 6:17; Rev 18:4 spread: Deu 28:64; Jer 15:4, Jer 31:10; Eze 5:12, Eze 11:16, Eze 12:14, Eze 12:15, Eze 17:21; Amo 9:9 Zechariah 2:7”

“The prophecy commences thus in Zac 2:6-9 : Zac 2:6. "Ho, ho, flee out of the land of the north, is the saying of Jehovah; for I spread you out as the four winds of heaven, is the saying of Jehovah. Zac 2:7. Ho, Zion, save thyself, thou that dwellest with the daughter Babel. Zac 2:8. For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, After glory hath he sent me to the nations that have plundered you; for whoever toucheth you, toucheth the apple of His eye. Zac 2:9. For, behold, I swing my hand over them, and they become a spoil to those who served them; and ye will see that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me." The summons to flee out of Babylon, in Zac 2:6 and Zac 2:7, is addressed to the Israelites, who are all…”