Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 9:1

1 THE burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach , and Damascus shall be the rest thereof : when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel shall be towards the LORD.

i. e. The heavy, sad, and grievous, the menacing prediction of future Evils coming upon a people, so burden in prophetick stile, Isa. 13.1, and 15.1. Nah. 1.1. Hab. 1.1 signifieth.

In which from Gods own mouth Zechariah threatneth. This might be read in Apposition thus, The burden, the word, for when the word of the Lord threatneth sad Afflictions, they will come as a heavy burden, they cannot decline without Repentance, nor shake off by their own strength.

O▪ Hosts, the God of Israel, who determins what he will do against Israels Enemies, and none can altar his purpose.

Or, on, against, Heb.

Not Messiah's Land as some, nor the Land of an Idol. called Hadrach, i. e. the Sun as others, nor yet the Land or Countreys that lye round about Iudea, as others, or yet is Arabia here meant as others, but 'tis the name both of a City in Caelosy[illegible: 1 letter]ia, and here signifieth the Country also, this Town was not far from Damascus, and about 25 miles distant from Bosira, a Sea Town of Phaenicia, which is not far from Byblos, now called Gible[illegible: 1 letter], or Gibelletto, says my Author, no farther mention is made of it in Scripture. It was likely an Enemy to the Iews, and had sin'd therein, and now must account for it, and be punished.

Chief City of that part of Syria, and whether Abel were slain there, or no, or whether that Murther gave it the Name, or whether the Etymology be rightly given (Dam.) blood, (Sack.) a bag. I say not. But 'twas no friend to God's people, Isa. 7. and here 'tis threatned among other their Enemies, the Countrey is intended here as well as the City.

This burden shall ly long as well as heavy on Damascus.

Rather, For, Heb.

Eye, Heb. as we read it, it is of some difficult interpretation, but more easie if read, as it may be thus, For unto the Lord is the eye of man, and of the Tribes of Israel, i. e. unto the Lord it belongeth to look to, and by his providence to dispose of all men as well as of Israel, and all mens appeals in cases of wrong are to Heaven, so they who have been wrong'd by Syrian injustice look to Heaven for right, and to be avenged, and God will do it.

Marginal references: Amos 1.3.