Zechariah 7:2

“When they had sent unto the house of God, etc.] It is, in the Hebrew text, “when he sent Bethel”; which some, as Kimchi observes, take to be the name of a man that was sent along with those after mentioned; but the Targum and the Septuagint render it, “when”, or “after he had sent unto Bethel”: not the place so called in Jacob’s time; but Jerusalem, where the temple or house of God was now building; and it may be observed, that the words are expressed in the singular number, “when he had sent”f140; and not, as we render them, “when they had sent”; and agreeably, in (<380703>Zechariah 7:3), it is said, “should I weep”, etc. as if these messengers were sent by a single person, and yet a body…”

“they . . . sent unto . . . house of God--The Jews of the country sent to the house of God or congregation at Jerusalem. The altar was long since reared (Ezr 3:3), though the temple was not completed till two years afterwards (Ezr 6:15). The priests' duty was to give decision on points of the law (Deu 17:9; Mat 2:4). Beth-el is here used instead of Beth-Jehovah, because the religious authorities, rather than the house itself (designated "Beth-Jehovah" in Zac 7:3), are intended. The old Beth-el had long ceased to be the seat of idol-worship, so that the name had lost its opprobrious meaning. "The house of the Lord" is used for the congregation of worshippers headed by their priests (Zac 3:7;…”

“When they held sent unto the house of God - Rather, “And Bethel sent;” that is, the inhabitants of Bethel sent. “The house of God” is nowhere in Holy Scripture called Bethel. Bethel is always the name of the place. . The “house of God” is designated by historians, Psalmists, prophets, by the name, “Beth-elohim,” more commonly “Beth-Ha-elohim, the God;” or “of the Lord,” YHVH. Zechariah and Haggai use these names. It is not likely that the name, Beth-el, should have first been given to the house of God, when it had been desecrated by the idolatries of Jeroboam. Bethel also is, in the Hebrew order of the words, naturally the subject . Nor is there any reason why they should have sent to…”

“When they - The captives who still continued in Babylon. The house of God - The temple, which now half built began to be frequented. Regem - melech - It appears not who these were, but no doubt they were eminent in dignity and piety. Their men - The train of friends that accompanied them. To pray - To intreat the Lord for pardon of what was past, acceptance of them at present, and an answer to their enquiry. Zechariah 7:3”

“7:2 to seek the Lord’s favor (literally to soften the face of the Lord): They were asking God to grant a petition or to rule on a question. Their request was probably accompanied by a sacrifice or offering.”

“they: Zac 6:10; Ezr 6:10, Ezr 7:15-23, Ezr 8:28-30; Isa 60:7 pray before the Lord: Heb. intreat the face of the Lord, Zac 8:21; Exo 32:11 \*marg. Sa1 13:12; Kg1 13:6; Jer 26:19 Zechariah 7:3”