Zechariah 8:4
Re-evaluation Translation:
8:4 Thus says Yehuveh over everything; There will again be old men and old women in the streets of Jerusalem, every one with his cane in his hand because of his age.
Bible, KJV Translation:
8:4 Thus saith Yehuveh of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
Yehuveh’s Assurance of Jerusalem’s full restoration: Commentary on Zechariah 8:1-23 (30 January 2009):
Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Zechariah 8:4-6 (30 January 2009): Yehuveh details the full restoration of Jerusalem as an absolute certainty for those who return to Him!
Significant Words: 8:4 (30 January 2009):
Thus [H3541] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:3.
Saith [H5002] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:3.
Yehuveh [H3068] of hosts [H6635] is discussed by Zechariah 1:3.
Yet [H5750] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:17.
Old men and old women are both from zaqen [H2205], simply meaning “old,” and used only twice here in Zechariah 8:4 with the masculine and feminine ending. Zaqen is used in Hebrew to describe elders as either older people or as respected leaders, thus while this context goes on to describe supporting themselves with cane or walker to clarify the agedness of these individuals, it is quite clear that in the restored kingdom they are also highly respected people to whom others turn for wisdom and counsel. “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.” Proverbs 20:29.
Dwell [H3427] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:11.
Streets is from rechob [H7339], meaning “a width or a wide place; thus, an avenue, a plaza, an open area, a pasture.” Rechob is used only three times in Zechariah [8:4, 5 (twice)] to describe the open areas in and around the restored city of Jerusalem. Psalms 144:9-15 well describes the conditions which Yehuveh will bring to the streets, the plazas, the open areas, and the pasturelands of this “city of truth”: “I will sing a new song unto thee, O Elohim: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto Thee. It is He that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David His servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets [rechob, open spaces, including pastures]: that our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose Elohim is Yehuveh.”
Jerusalem [H3389] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:12.
Every man [H0376] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:8.
Staff is from mish`enah [H4938], meaning “support; abstractly, figuratively, sustenance, or, concretely, a walking stick.” Mish`enah, used only here in Zechariah, is the word translated staff to describe guidance, protection, and provision, in the familiar words of Psalms 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Three times mish`enah is used to describe the unreliable and indeed exceedingly hurtful assistance available from Egypt [2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6; Ezekiel 29:6].
Hand [H3027] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 2:1.
Very [H7230] is discussed in notes on Zechariah 2:4.
Age [H3117] is literally days in Hebrew and is discussed in notes on Zechariah 1:7.
Gael Bataman
Originally Written: 30 January 2009
Latest Update: 30 January 2009
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