Zechariah 9:2

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 9:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
Zechariah 9:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Hamath also shall border thereby, etc.] By the land of Hadrach, or by Damascus; and that it was near Damascus is clear from (<231009>Isaiah 10:9 <244923>Jeremiah 49:23) it is called Hamath the great in (<300602>Amos 6:2) and according to Jeromf173, is the same with Antioch, which he says was so called by some; and the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel on (<041321>Numbers 13:21), renders Hamath by Antioch: and, if so, here was the Lord’s rest likewise; here the Gospel was preached, and many converted, and a church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, was formed; and here the disciples were first called Christians, (<441126>Acts 11:26). Tyrus and Zidon; these were famous cities of Phoenicia; upon…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hamath--a Syrian kingdom with a capital of the same name, north of Damascus. shall border thereby--shall be joined to Damascus in treatment, as it is in position; shall share in the burden of wrath of which Damascus is the resting-place. MAURER understands "which"; "Hamath, which borders on Damascus, also shall be the resting-place of Jehovah's wrath" (the latter words being supplied from Zac 9:1). Riblah, the scene of the Jews' sufferings from their foe, was there: it therefore shall suffer (Kg2 23:33; Kg2 25:6-7, Kg2 25:20-21). Tyrus . . . Zidon--lying in the conqueror's way on his march along the Mediterranean to Egypt (compare Isa. 23:1-18). Zidon, the older city, surrendered, and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And Hamath also shall border thereby - o. Near to it in place and character, it shall share its subdual. After the betrayal of Damascus, Parmenio was set over all Syria. “The Syrians, not as yet tamed by the losses of war, despised the new empire, but, swiftly subdued, they did obediently what they were commanded.” And Zidon - Zidon, although probably older than Tyre , is here spoken of parenthetically, as subordinate. Perhaps, owing to its situation, it was a wealthy , rather than a strong place. Its name is “Fishing-town;” in Joshua, it is called “the great” Joshua 11:8; Joshua 19:28, perhaps the metropolis; while Tyre is named from its strength Joshua 19:29. It infected Israel with its…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hamath - A principal town of Syria. Shall border - Shall be so near the storm, that they shall not quite escape. Very wise - Each of them are subtle, and think by craft to save themselves, but God derides their wisdom. Zechariah 9:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:2 Hamath, a fortress city on one of the southern trade routes from Asia Minor, was on the northern boundary of Israel (see Num 13:21; Josh 13:5). • The twin port cities of Tyre and Sidon were independent Phoenician kingdoms located on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel (modern-day Lebanon); they are often paired in biblical texts (e.g., Ezra 3:7; Joel 3:4; Luke 10:13-14). The cities were legendary for their maritime trade wealth, but Old Testament prophets condemned their pride and oppressive policies and predicted their destruction (Isa 23; Ezek 26:3-14; Amos 1:9-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hamath: Num 13:21; Kg2 23:33, Kg2 25:21; Jer 49:23; Amo 6:14 Tyrus: Isa. 23:1-18; Ezek. 26:1-28:26; Joe 3:4-8; Amo 1:9, Amo 1:10 Zidon: Kg1 17:9; Eze 28:21-26; Oba 1:20 it be: Eze 28:3-5, Eze 28:12 Zechariah 9:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Zac 9:2. "And Hamath also, which borders thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because it is very wise. Zac 9:3. And Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like dust, and gold like dirt of the streets. Zac 9:4. Behold, the Lord will cause it to be taken, and smite its might in the sea, and she will be consumed by fire." Chămâth is appended to Damascus by vegam (and also). Tigbol-bâh is to be taken as a relative clause; and bâh refers to chămâth, and not to 'erets chadrâkh (the land of Hadrach). "Hamath also," i.e., Ἐπιφάνεια on the Orontes, the present Hamah (see at Gen 10:18), which borders on Damascus, i.e., which has its territory touching the territory of Damascus, sc. will be…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification