Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 edition. Excerpt: ... Chap. 9: 11. -- 10: 12. That a new portion here commences, or rather that a new scene presents itself to the spiritual eye of the prophet, is so clear from the contents, that it is scarcely conceivable how it could be overlooked by ancient and modern interpreters. The prophet, v. 9,10, had described a kingdom of peace, which, deprived of all earthly weapons and bulwarks, should be extended over the whole earth, and embrace all the heathen nations. Here on a sudden all is warlike. The covenant people appear in conflict with their mighty oppressors, and as such the Greeks are particularly mentioned. The victory obtained by the aid of the Lord is followed, in connexion with other Theocratic blessings, by that freedom, of which the covenant people under Zechariah were still painfully destitute. And, in order to make the prosperity complete, Ephraim also, who, at the time of the prophet, appeared, according to human view, to be a branch for ever separated from the vine, is at last led back by the Lord from his dispersion, and again incorporated with the Theocracy. It is evident from this representation, that the prophecy, with the exception of the last prediction, which reaches to the time of the Messiah, refers not merely in the first instance, but exclusively to the time of the Maccabees. What the Lord would then do to complete the work begun among the covenant people by the restoration from the Babylonish exile, the prophet represents to his contemporaries, who are mourning over the feeble beginnings of the new colony. This sudden transition from the time of the Messiah to that which preceded it, need not appear strange. The prophet had spoken, v. 1-8, of the expedition of Alexander, and of the protection of the covenant people during its...
