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Text -- Zechariah 10:1 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
The Restoration of the True People
10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the season of the late spring rains– the Lord who causes thunderstorms– and he will give everyone showers of rain and green growth in the field.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: ZECHARIAH, BOOK OF | Rain | Prayer | Lightning | God | Gifts from God | Blessing | AGRICULTURE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Zec 10:1 - -- This made plenty of all provision, and is proverbially used to signify a great blessing.

This made plenty of all provision, and is proverbially used to signify a great blessing.

Wesley: Zec 10:1 - -- Bright through the lightnings which break from them.

Bright through the lightnings which break from them.

Wesley: Zec 10:1 - -- The Jews.

The Jews.

JFB: Zec 10:1 - -- On which the abundance of "corn" promised by the Lord (Zec 9:17) depends. Jehovah alone can give it, and will give it on being asked (Jer 10:13; Jer 1...

On which the abundance of "corn" promised by the Lord (Zec 9:17) depends. Jehovah alone can give it, and will give it on being asked (Jer 10:13; Jer 14:22).

JFB: Zec 10:1 - -- That is, the latter rain in its due time, namely, in spring, about February or March (Job 29:23; Joe 2:23). The latter rain ripened the grain, as the ...

That is, the latter rain in its due time, namely, in spring, about February or March (Job 29:23; Joe 2:23). The latter rain ripened the grain, as the former rain in October tended to fructify the seed. Including all temporal blessings; these again being types of spiritual ones. Though God has begun to bless us, we are not to relax our prayers. The former rain of conversion may have been given, but we must also ask for the latter rain of ripened sanctification. Though at Pentecost there was a former rain on the Jewish Church, a latter rain is still to be looked for, when the full harvest of the nation's conversion shall be gathered in to God. The spirit of prayer in the Church is an index at once of her piety, and of the spiritual blessings she may expect from God. When the Church is full of prayer, God pours out a full blessing.

JFB: Zec 10:1 - -- Rather, "lightnings," the precursors of rain [MAURER].

Rather, "lightnings," the precursors of rain [MAURER].

JFB: Zec 10:1 - -- Literally, "rain of heavy rain." In Job 37:6 the same words occur in inverted order [HENDERSON].

Literally, "rain of heavy rain." In Job 37:6 the same words occur in inverted order [HENDERSON].

JFB: Zec 10:1 - -- A general term, including both corn for men and grass for cattle.

A general term, including both corn for men and grass for cattle.

Clarke: Zec 10:1 - -- Ask ye of the Lord rain - Rain in the due seasons - 1.    To impregnate the seed when sown; an 2.    To fill the ear n...

Ask ye of the Lord rain - Rain in the due seasons -

1.    To impregnate the seed when sown; an

2.    To fill the ear near the time of harvest - was so essential to the fertility of the land, and the well-being of the people, that it stands well among the chief of God’ s mercies and the promise of it here shows that God designs to ensure the prosperity promised, by using those means by which it was promoted.

Calvin: Zec 10:1 - -- Zechariah, after having shown that God would be bountiful towards the Jews, so that nothing necessary to render life happy and blessed should be want...

Zechariah, after having shown that God would be bountiful towards the Jews, so that nothing necessary to render life happy and blessed should be wanting, now reproves them for their unbelief, because they did not expect from the Lord what he was ready fully to bestow on them. As then it depended on them only, that they did not enjoy abundance of all blessings, he charges them with ingratitude: for though he exhorts them to prayer, there is yet an implied reproof. One by merely reading over the words may think that a new subject is here introduced, that the Jews are directed to ask of the Lord what he had previously promised them; but he who will more minutely consider the whole context, will easily find that what I have stated is true — that the Jews are here condemned, and on this account, because they closed the door against God’s favor; for they were straitened in themselves, as all the unbelieving are, who cannot embrace the promises of God; nor is it at all doubtful but that many made great complaints, when they found themselves disappointed of their wishes. They had indeed hoped for a most abundant supply of corn and wine, and had also promised to themselves all kinds of blessings, yet the Lord, as we have seen in the book of Haggai, had begun to withdraw his hand, so that they labored under want of provisions; and when mine and thirst oppressed them, they thought that they had been in a manlier deceived by God. On this ground the Prophet expostulates with them; they thrust from themselves, by their want of faith, the favor which had been prepared for them. We now then understand the Prophet’s meaning.

He bids them to ask rain of Jehovah. They ought indeed to have done this of themselves without being reminded; for though Christ has delivered to his Church a form of prayer, it ought yet to be as it were the dictate of nature to seek of God our daily bread; and it is not without reason that he claims to himself the name of a Father. The Prophet then does here reprove the Jews for their brutal stupidity — that they did not ask rain of the Lord. He adds, at the late season, that is, at spring time; for rains at two seasons were necessary for the corn, after sowing and before harvest, and whenever Scripture speaks of fruitfulness or of a large produce, it mentions rain at these two seasons. Zechariah in this place only refers to the vernal before harvest; for in that hot country the earth wanted new moisture, Ask, he says, rain at the beginning of summer.

Jehovah, he adds, will give it; he will make clouds, or storms, or boisterous winds, as some read; but it is evident from other passages that חזיזים , chezizim, means clouds, which are as it were preparations for rain. 116 He then says, that a shower would come with the rain; for some take גשם , gesham, for a shower, that is, heavy rain; but the Prophet introduces here the two words, as though he had said, that the rains would be continued until the ground was saturated and the dryness removed. Some translate, “the rain of a shower,” but this would be too strained. I prefer then this rendering, He will give rain, a shower, that is, abundant rain; to every one grass in the field, that is, so that there may be moisture enough for the ground. In short, he promises a plentiful irrigation, that drought might not deprive them of the hope of food and support. What I have stated will appear more clear from the following verse, for he adds —

Defender: Zec 10:1 - -- "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Mat 7:7). This promise of rain, although specifically referring to the restoration of the ancient rainfall cycle to ...

"Ask, and it shall be given you" (Mat 7:7). This promise of rain, although specifically referring to the restoration of the ancient rainfall cycle to Israel after long centuries of aridity, indicates that it is appropriate to pray for rain when rain is needed. Although rainfall is a natural phenomenon controlled by natural causes, God can providentially organize the complex of causes in such a way that, when properly combined, they will yield rainfall. The same would be true of any other natural phenomenon. Such providential miracles - not requiring a suspension of the divinely-established laws of nature, but rather special organizing of the forces which produce the phenomenon - are frequently encountered in Scripture (Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18)."

TSK: Zec 10:1 - -- ye : Eze 36:37; Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8; Joh 16:23; Jam 5:16-18 rain in : Deu 11:13, Deu 28:23; 1Ki 17:1, 1Ki 18:41-45; Isa 5:6, Isa 30:23; Jer 14:22; Amo 4:...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Zec 10:1 - -- Ask ye of the Lord rain - " Ask and ye shall receive"our Lord says. Zechariah had promised in God’ s name blessings temporal and spiritual:...

Ask ye of the Lord rain - " Ask and ye shall receive"our Lord says. Zechariah had promised in God’ s name blessings temporal and spiritual: all was ready on God’ s part; only, he adds, ask them of the Lord, the Unchangeable, the Self-same not of Teraphim or of diviner, as Israel had done aforetime Isa. 2:5-22; Jer 44:15-28. He had promised, "If ye shall hearken diligently unto My coramandments, to love the Lord your God, I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, and I will send grass in thy field for thy cattle"Deu 11:13-15. God bids them ask Him to fulfill His promise. The "latter rain"alone is mentioned, as completing what God had begun by the former rain, filling the ears before the harvest. Both had been used as symbols of God’ s spiritual gifts, and so the words fit in with the close of the last chapter, both as to things temporal and eternal. Osorius: "He exhorts all frequently to ask for the dew of the divine grace, that what had sprung up in the heart from the seed of the word of God, might attain to full ripeness."

The Lord maketh bright clouds - (Rather) "lightnings, into rain,"as Jeremiah says, "He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings into rain"Jer 10:13; Jer 51:16; and the Psalmist, "He maketh lightnings into rain"Psa 135:7, disappearing as it were into the rain which follows on them. "And giveth them."While man is asking, God is answering. "Showers of rain", "rain in torrents,"as we should say, or "in floods,"or, inverted, "floods of rain.""To every one grass,"rather, "the green herb, in the field,"as the Psalmist says, "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men"(Psa 104:14, see also Gen 1:30; Gen 3:18). This He did with individual care, as each had need, or as should be best for each, as contrariwise He says in Amos, "I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city; one piece was rained upon, and the piece, whereon it rained not, withered"(Amo 4:7; see note).

The Rabbis observed these exceptions to God’ s general law, whereby He "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust"Matt. 5:49, though expressing it in their way hyperbolically; , "In the time when Israel doeth the will of God, He doeth their will; so that if one man alone, and not the others, wants rain, He will give rain to that one man; and if a man wants one herb alone in his field or garden, and not another, He will give rain to that one herb; as one of the saints used to say, This plot of ground wants rain, and that plot of ground wants not rain"(Cyril). Spiritually the rain is divine doctrine bedewing the mind and making it fruitful, as the rain doth the earth. So Moses saith, "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showers upon the grass"Deu 32:2. Cyril: "The law of Moses and the prophets were the former rain."

Poole: Zec 10:1 - -- Ask: it was a time of great scarcity with the Jews while the temple and city lay waste, and the prophets from God assure them it is for neglecting t...

Ask: it was a time of great scarcity with the Jews while the temple and city lay waste, and the prophets from God assure them it is for neglecting to rebuild the temple, to which work the Lord does earnestly call by Haggai and Zechariah, with promises of great blessings, which forthwith God would give to them, if they set to this work, and seek the Lord by prayer, to which duty he doth direct them in this chapter: to the building of city and temple they must add prayer, for the blessing is prepared, and shall be given when asked.

Ye Jews returned from Babylon, settled in your city, and returned to the worship of God, and to whom many excellent promises are made; you must pray.

Rain in the time of the latter rain which usually came about spring to fill the eared corn, and to bring forth the grass, to make the trees and plants with their fruit to be full and large: this latter rain made plenty of all provision, and is proverbially used to signify a great blessing, Hos 6:3 .

The Lord shall make by making the vapours ascend from the earth, he will cover the heavens with clouds: see how Job, Job 38:28 , doth elegantly describe this work of God. Bright clouds; clouds which bring rain, and pour it out abundantly, when they are opened with thunders and lightnings, which do as it were broach the clouds; they unstop these bottles: and they are bright clouds through the lightnings which break from them, Job 28:26 38:25,26 .

And give them the Jews, his people, showers of rain; plentiful showers of rain, that shall fatten the earth, and make it fruitful.

To every one grass in the field none shall miss it, nor the effect of it on corn or grass; corn for man, and grass for the beast.

Haydock: Zec 10:1 - -- Snows. Protestants, "Bright clouds," or "lightnings." (Haydock) --- God will presently grant your requests, after the persecution of Epiphanes. (...

Snows. Protestants, "Bright clouds," or "lightnings." (Haydock) ---

God will presently grant your requests, after the persecution of Epiphanes. (Calmet) ---

The latter season is when fruit ripens, the acceptable time to sue for grace. (Worthington)

Gill: Zec 10:1 - -- Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain,.... There was the former and the latter rain, of which see Hos 6:3. The former rain was in aut...

Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain,.... There was the former and the latter rain, of which see Hos 6:3. The former rain was in autumn, a little before or about seed time; the latter was in the spring, and a little before harvest, which is here referred to. So Hesiod g calls those rains the autumnal and vernal rains; and between these two rains there was seldom any more. Jerom says h that he never saw in the eastern countries, especially in Judea, any rain at the end of the month of June, or in July; and now, at Aleppo, a little more northerly, for three or four months after May, they have scarce so much as any dew upon the ground, as Pemble on the place observes. So Dr. Shaw says i, little or no rain falls in this climate (of Algiers and Tunis), during the summer season; and in most parts of the Sahara, particularly in the Jereede, they have seldom any rain at all. It was likewise the same in the holy land, Pro 26:1 where rain is accounted an unusual thing in "harvest", 2Sa 21:10 where it is also mentioned, "from harvest till rain dropped on them"; i.e. their rainy season fell out, as in Barbary, in the autumnal and winter months.

"The first rains (he observes) fall here some years in September, in others a month later; after which the Arabs break up their ground, in order to sow wheat, and plant beans: this commonly falls out about the middle of October.''

If the latter rains fall as usual in the middle of April, (in the holy land we find they were a month sooner, Joe 2:23.) the crop is reckoned secure; the harvest coming on in the latter end of May, or in the beginning of June, according to the heat and quality of the preceding seasons: wherefore, since there was so little rain fell in these countries, and particularly in Judea; if these former and latter rains failed, a scarcity followed; for, for want of the former rain, the earth was hard, and not easily ploughed up; and for want of the latter the grain withered away in the blade, and did not ear, at least did not produce ears plump and good; so that these rains were great temporal blessings, and to be asked for, as they were by the Jews, when they were wanted; and for which they appointed fasts k, and were emblems of spiritual blessings here designed; for rain here is not to be literally understood, but mystically and spiritually; and designs either the love and favour of God, and the comfortable discoveries of it; see Pro 16:15 which may be compared to rain in its original; it is from above, from on high, it comes from heaven; it is not owing to anything in man, but to the will of God; and is distinguishing, as rain falls on one city, and not on another; in its objects, undeserving persons, as rain is sent on the just and unjust; in its manner of communication, it tarries not for the will and works of men; it comes at times in great abundance, and the discoveries of it are to be asked for; in its effects, it softens and melts the heart into evangelical repentance; it cools and extinguishes the flaming wrath of a fiery law in the conscience; it refreshes and revives the drooping spirit, and makes the barren soul fruitful: or the blessings of grace in general may be meant; these are from above, depend on the will of God; are to be sought after, and asked for; are free grace gifts; are given largely and plentifully, and make fruitful: or the coming of Christ in the flesh in particular is intended; see Hos 6:3 who came down from heaven; is a free gift of God to men, was sought after, and greatly desired, and to be desired, by the Old Testament saints, and very grateful to such when he came. This may also be applied to his spiritual coming in his power and kingdom in the latter day, which is to be earnestly wished and prayed for, Psa 72:7 or else the Gospel may be designed; see Deu 32:2 this is of God, and from above; comes and falls upon the sons of men, according to divine direction; softens hard hearts, when it becomes effectual; comforts the souls of God's people; is a blessing to be desired, and asked for; and will be enjoyed in great plenty in the latter day:

so the Lord shall make bright clouds; by which may be meant the ministers of the Gospel, who are of God's making, and not man's: these may be compared to "clouds" for their number, especially as they will be in the latter day; and for their moving to and fro, to communicate spiritual knowledge: and to "bright" ones, such as from whence lightning springs, thunderclouds, full of water; (the same word is used for lightning, Job 38:25;) because full of Gospel truths, and because of that clear light they diffuse to others:

and give them showers of rain: productive, under a divine influence, of large conversions among Jews and Gentiles:

to everyone grass in the field: on whom these showers fall with efficacy, and a divine blessing; everyone of these have a spiritual knowledge of Christ, faith in him, repentance towards God, food and fulness of it; and are filled with the fruits of righteousness, or good works, to the glory of God; see Isa 55:10. The Targum is,

"that he may give to them (the children of men) corn to eat, and grass to the beasts in the field;''

taking the words literally.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Zec 10:1 Heb “the latter rain.” This expression refers to the last concentration of heavy rainfall in the spring of the year in Palestine, about Ma...

Geneva Bible: Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the ( a ) LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one gras...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Zec 10:1-12 - --1 God is to be sought unto, and not idols.3 As he visited his flock for sin, so he will save and restore them.

MHCC: Zec 10:1-5 - --Spiritual blessings had been promised under figurative allusions to earthly plenty. Seasonable rain is a great mercy, which we may ask of God when the...

Matthew Henry: Zec 10:1-4 - -- Gracious things and glorious ones, very glorious and very gracious, were promised to this poor afflicted people in the foregoing chapter; now here G...

Keil-Delitzsch: Zec 10:1-2 - -- "Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain; Jehovah createth lightnings, and showers of rain will He give them, to every one vegetation...

Constable: Zec 9:1--14:21 - --V. Oracles about the Messiah and Israel's future chs. 9--14 This part of Zechariah contains two undated oracles ...

Constable: Zec 9:1--11:17 - --A. The burden concerning the nations: the advent and rejection of Messiah chs. 9-11 In this first oracle...

Constable: Zec 10:1-12 - --2. The restoration of the true people ch. 10 The first part of this oracle focused particularly on the true King who would come and exercise sovereign...

Guzik: Zec 10:1-12 - --Zechariah 10 - A Promise to Gather Israel A. The superiority of the Messiah's reign. 1. (1) The blessed nature of the Messiah's reign. Ask the LOR...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Zechariah (Book Introduction) THE name Zechariah means one whom Jehovah remembers: a common name, four others of the same name occurring in the Old Testament. Like Jeremiah and Eze...

JFB: Zechariah (Outline) INTRODUCTORY EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE. THE VISION. The man among the myrtles: Comforting explanation by the angel, an encouragement to the Jews to b...

TSK: Zechariah 10 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Zec 10:1, God is to be sought unto, and not idols; Zec 10:3, As he visited his flock for sin, so he will save and restore them.

Poole: Zechariah (Book Introduction) THE ARGUMENT Zechariah is the second prophet who cometh from God to the returned captives, and his errand to them was both to second Haggai’ s...

Poole: Zechariah 10 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 10 God is to be sought unto, and not idols, Zec 10:1,2 . As he visited his flock for sin, so will he save and restore them, Zec 10:3-12 .

MHCC: Zechariah (Book Introduction) This prophecy is suitable to all, as the scope is to reprove for sin, and threaten God's judgments against the impenitent, and to encourage those that...

MHCC: Zechariah 10 (Chapter Introduction) (Zec 10:1-5) Blessings to be sought from the Lord. (Zec 10:6-12) God will restore his people.

Matthew Henry: Zechariah (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Prophecy of Zechariah This prophet was colleague with the prophet Haggai, and a worker together wit...

Matthew Henry: Zechariah 10 (Chapter Introduction) The scope of this chapter is much the same with that of the foregoing chapter - to encourage the Jews that had returned with hopes that though they...

Constable: Zechariah (Book Introduction) Introduction Title and Writer The title of this book comes from its traditional writer...

Constable: Zechariah (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-6 II. The eight night visions and four messages 1:7-6:8 ...

Constable: Zechariah Zechariah Bibliography Alexander, Ralph H. "Hermeneutics of Old Testament Apocalyptic Literature." Th.D. disser...

Haydock: Zechariah (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF ZACHARIAS. INTRODUCTION. Zacharias began to prophesy in the same year as Aggeus, and upon the same occasion. His prophecy i...

Gill: Zechariah (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH This book is in the Hebrew copies called "the Book of Zechariah"; in the Vulgate Latin version, "the Prophecy of Zecharia...

Gill: Zechariah 10 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 10 This chapter is a prophecy of the conversion of the Jews in the latter day, when the fulness of the Gentiles is brough...

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