Zechariah 9:12

“Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, etc.] “That hope for redemption”, as the Targum paraphrases it; not for redemption from the Babylonish captivity, at the end of seventy years, which was now over; but for redemption and salvation by Christ; for not the people of the Jews, who stayed in Babylon, can be meant; for, as they were at liberty to go from thence by the edict of Cyrus, they can not be said to be prisoners, much less prisoners hoping for deliverance, when they had, or might have it; but rather the Jews, who were come out of Babylon, as out of a pit, wherein was no water; out of an uncomfortable state and condition, and yet in their own land were encompassed with many…”

“stronghold--in contrast to the "pit" (Zac 9:11); literally, "a place cut off from access." MAURER thinks, "a height" (Psa 18:33). An image for the security which the returning Jews shall have in Messiah (Zac 9:8) encamped about His people (Psa 46:1, Psa 46:5; compare Isa 49:9; Pro 18:10). prisoners of hope--that is, who in spite of afflictions (Job 13:15; Psa 42:5, Psa 42:11) maintain hope in the covenant-keeping God; in contrast to unbelievers, who say, "There is no hope" (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12). Especially those Jews who believe God's word to Israel (Jer 31:17), "there is hope in the end, that thy children shall come again to their own border," and do not say, as in Eze 37:11, "Our hope is…”

“Turn ye to the stronghold - that is, Almighty God; as the Psalmists so often say, “The Lord is the defense of my life” (Psalms 27:1, add Psalms 31:5; Psalms 37:39; Psalms 43:2; Psalms 52:9); and Joel, “The Lord shall be a stronghold of the children, of Israel” ; and Nahum, “The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble” Nahum 1:7; And, David said, “Thou hast been a shelter for me, a strong tower against the enemy” Psalms 61:3; “the Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and is safe” Proverbs 18:10; and again, “Be Thou to me a rock of strength, a house of defense to save me - Bring me forth out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for Thou art my…”

“Turn ye - The prophet exhorts the Jews to hasten to Christ, who is the salvation and high tower of the church. Prisoners of hope - Captives, yet not without hope. Even to - day - In this day of lowest distress. Double - Twice as much good as thou hast suffered evil. Zechariah 9:13”

“9:12 Come back to the place of safety: This is a call for the Jews still in Babylon to return to the land of Judah.”

“Turn: Isa 52:2; Jer 31:6, Jer 50:4, Jer 50:5, Jer 50:28, Jer 51:10; Mic 4:8; Nah 1:7; Heb 6:18 even: Isa 38:18, Isa 49:9; Jer 31:17; Lam 3:21, Lam 3:22; Eze 37:11; Hos 2:15 I will: Job 42:10; Isa 40:2, Isa 61:7 Zechariah 9:13”