Zechariah 2:11

Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Ver. 11. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day] {See Trapp on "Zec 2:9"} And further observe; that albeit the thorough coming in of the Gentiles, for all nations with one consent to receive Christ, be put off till the Jews’ famous conversion; yet that nothing hindereth but that this, and such like places that speak of the same, may well serve to warrant the first inceptions of their calling. And so doth St James cite them, Act 15:16-17, out of Amo 9:11-12, and Paul, Rom 9:25-26, out of Hos 1:10.

And I will dwell in the midst of thee] {See Trapp on "Zec 2:10"}

And thou shalt know, &c.] {See Trapp on "Zec 2:9"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Many nations shall be joined (shall join themselves) to the Lord; " shall fly for refuge unto the Lord" (Septuagint). My people; unto me for a people; Septuagint, "shall be unto him for a people". (comp. Zec_8:20) No mere conversion of individuals among the heathen satisfies this promise. Whole nations shall become the Lord"s people. That title shall be shared with Israel by countless multitudes, (comp, Isa_2:2, 3 11:10 Mic_4:2 Zep_2:11) I will dwell, etc. The promise of ver. 10 is repeated for assurance" sake. The LXX has, "And they shall dwell in the midst of thee." Thou shalt know (as ver. 9).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

many nations . . . joined to the Lord in that day--The result of the Jews' exile in Babylon was that, at their subsequent return, through the diffusion of knowledge of their religion, many Gentiles became proselytes, worshipping in the court of the Gentiles (Kg1 8:41). Cyrus, Darius, Alexander, Ptolemy Philadelphus, Augustus, and Tiberius, paid respect to the temple by sending offerings [GROTIUS]. But all this is but a shadow of the future conversion of the Gentiles which shall result from Jehovah dwelling in Jerusalem (Psa 102:15-16; Phi 2:10-11).

sent me unto thee--"unto thee" is here added to the same formula (Zac 2:9). Zion first shall "know (generally) that Jehovah of hosts hath sent" Messiah, by the judgments inflicted by Him on her foes. Subsequently, she shall know experimentally the particular sending of Messiah unto her. Jehovah here says, "I will dwell," and then that JEHOVAH of hosts sent Him; therefore Jehovah the Sender and Jehovah the Sent must be One.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 11. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord] This most certainly belongs to the Christian church. No nation or people ever became converts to the Jewish religion, but whole nations have embraced the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The Prophet describes here the voluntary surrender of the nations, who would so join themselves to the Church of God, as to disown their own name and to count themselves Jews: and this is what the Prophet borrowed from those who had predicted the same thing; but he confirms their testimony, that the Jews might know that the propagation of the Church had not been promised to them in vain by so many witnesses. That what is said here refers to the calling of the nations who would willingly surrender themselves to God, is quite evident; for it is said that they would be a people to God. This could not be, except the nations surrendered their own name, so as to become one body with the Jews. He then repeats what he had said, that God would dwell in the midst of Judea. Of this dwelling something was said yesterday; for as they had already begun to offer sacrifices in the temple, it follows that God was already dwelling among them. We must then necessarily come to another kind of dwelling, even that which God, who had before testified by many proofs that he was nigh the Jews, had at length accomplished through Christ; for Christ is really Emmanuel, and in him God is present with us in the fullness of his power, justice, goodness, and glory.

He at last adds, Thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to thee. Something has also been said on this sentence: the Prophet means, that it would be evident by what would really take place, that these things had not been in vain foretold, as the prophecy would be openly fulfilled before the eyes of all. Then shalt thou know, not by the assurance of faith, which is grounded on the word, but by actual experience. But he expresses more than before, for he says, “Thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to thee.” The particle אליך, alik, “to thee,” is not superfluous; for he said a little while before, that he was sent to the nations. As he now says, that he would be the guardian of the chosen people, he also declares that his mission was to them; and he gives to God the name of Jehovah of hosts, that the Jews might feel assured that there would be no difficulty sufficient to hinder or delay the word of God, as he possessed supreme power, so that he could easily execute whatever he had decreed. I will not repeat now what I said yesterday of Christ; but we ought nevertheless to remember this, that he who declares that he was sent, is often called Jehovah. It hence appears that one and the same divine eternal essence is in more persons than one. Let us go on -

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(11) Many nations.—Comp. Zec_8:20-22. This prophecy, which is clothed in Old Testament imagery, was spiritually fulfilled by the gathering-in of the Gentiles to the Church of Christ.

And . . . . shall be joined.—LXX., καὶ καταφεύξονται, “and shall flee for refuge,” as in Jer_1:5 (Jer_27:5, LXX.).

My people.—Heb., to me for a people. LXX., αὐτῷ εἰς λαὸν, “to Him for a people.” Instead of “And I will dwell,” LXX., καὶ κατασκηνώσουσιν, “and they shall dwell.”

And thou . . . unto thee.—The pronouns are in the feminine, and refer to the “daughter of Zion” (Zec_2:10).

Sent me.—The person changes (comp. Zec_2:8). These words seem to imply an expectation of a near fulfilment of the prophecy, such as would prove to the people the truth of the prophet’s (or angel’s) mission. (Comp. Zec_4:9; Zec_6:15.) But when the promise was fulfilled in Christ, it was just “the city” that failed to perceive its fulfilment (Luk_19:44).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

11. be joined] join themselves. R. V.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day,.... The Gospel will be preached in all nations, and multitudes will be converted, and embrace and profess the Christian religion, and join themselves to the churches of Christ, which, in the New Testament, is expressed by being joined to the Lord, Act 5:13 see Jer 50:5,

and shall be my people; shall appear to be so, who before were not the people of God; did not profess themselves, and were not known to be, the people of God, though they secretly were in the counsel and covenant of God; but now, being called by grace, they become openly and manifestly his people, Pe1 2:10,

and I will dwell in the midst of thee; in the church, consisting of people of many nations, as well as of Jews:

and thou shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee; to the Jews, as well as to the Gentiles; See Gill on Zac 2:9.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

And many nations shall join themselves - cleaving to Him by a close union. Isaiah had so spoken of single proselytes Isa 56:3-6; Jeremiah had used the word of Israel’s self-exhortation after the return from Babylon; “going and weeping,” they shall go and seek the Lord their God, saying, “Come and let us join ourselves unto the Lord, in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten” Jer 50:4-5. This Zechariah now predicts of “many nations.” The Jews were scarcely half-restored themselves, a mere handful. They had wrought no conversions among the pagan, yet prophecy continues its unbroken voice, “many nations shall join themselves unto the Lord.”

And shall be My people - Literally, “be to Me a people.” This is exactly the history of the Christian church, unity amid diversity; many nations still retaining their national existence, yet owned by God as one people and His own. The words are those in which God adopted Israel in Egypt; “I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be your God” Exo 6:7. This was the covenant with them, “that thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, that He may establish thee today for a people unto Himself, and that he may be unto thee a God” (Deu 29:12-13, add Lev 26:12; Deu 27:9; 1Sa 12:22; 2Sa 7:23-24; 2Ki 11:17; 1Ch 17:22; 2Ch 23:16; Jer 7:23; Jer 11:4). The contrary was the title of the pagan, “not a people; with whom God said, I will move Israel to jealousy” Deu 32:21. The closeness of union Jeremiah expresses; “As the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave to Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord, that they might be unto Me for a people and for a name and for a praise and for a glory” Jer 13:11. This was the object of the existence of Israel; to this it was to be restored Jer 24:7; Jer 30:22; Jer 31:1; Jer 32:38 by conversion Eze 11:20; Eze 14:11; Eze 36:28; Eze 37:23, Eze 37:27; Zec 8:8; to this special privilege of Israel “many nations” were to be admitted; yet not so as to be separate from Israel, for He adds, “and I will dwell in, the midst of thee,” Judah. God would dwell in His Church, formed of Israel and the Gentiles, yet so that the Gentiles should be grafted into Israel, becoming one with them.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Nations. We know of none who embrace the Jewish law. But both the old and the new world submits to Christ. --- Dwell. St. Michael represents the Messias. The latter preached and wrought miracles among the Jews, which rendered them inexcusable, John xv. 24. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Many nations, and great, Heb; it implieth both multitudes and greatness of nations; or, heathen and Gentiles, as the word beareth.

Shall be joined to the Lord; become proselytes, inquire for, adhere to, and worship the God of Israel.

In that day; when God shall lift up his hand for his people against their enemies, as Est 8:17; when Christ shall be come in the flesh, and Shall take down the partition wall.

Shall be my people; covenant people, to love, fear, worship, and obey Christ.

I will dwell in the midst of thee: see Zec 2:10.

Thou shalt know: see Zec 2:9,

The Lord of hosts, the sovereign Lawgiver, and Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth, hath sent me, the Messiah, and Zechariah his servant, unto thee, Jew and Gentile.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Shall be joined - Shall worship the God of Israel. In that day - When Christ shall come in the flesh, and take down the partition wall. Sent me - The Messiah.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Ho, Zion! Flee This too is an expression of announcement: Assemble, O exile of Zion, and flee from the midst of Babylon.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.