Remarks Upon the Book of Zechariah

THESE eight verses predict the conquest of the principal cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem by Alexander, and the remarkable deliverance of that city when Alexander had determined to destroy it. The prophecy is directed against Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Tyre, Zidon, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod.

The land of Hadrach is supposed by Dr. Adam Clark to signify the valley of Damascus. But this name is not found in any ancient record, so that some learned men have thought that this was not the name of any city or country, but rather a word designating by its peculiar significance the whole Persian empire. Thus Calvin, Henystenberg, and others, say that it is a compound word, signifying "strong-weak," which exactly expressed the condition of the empire of Persia, and enabled the prophet to predict its overthrow under Alexander without exposing the Jews to the enmity of the Persians, their masters.

This prophecy was uttered about B.C. 487. If Hadrach represents the Persian empire, as Calvin asserts, then the fulfillment of the prophecy commenced when Alexander first invaded this "strong-weak" empire, B.C. 334. The Persians were immensely strong in men and in money, and in weapons of war, but feeble in everything pertaining to discipline, to courage, and to skill.

At the great battle of Issus, B.C. 333, the Persian army was defeated with a terrible slaughter. Alexander learned that the king of Persia had vast treasures of gold and silver stored at Damascus. This caused him to send a part of his army against that city, and to plunder it of all its treasures. The people had sinned greatly against God. Now they learned that God will in the end punish all sinners, whether Jews or Gentiles. Zech. 9:1.

Hamath was situated on the river Orontes, and, like Damascus, fell into the hands of Alexander. Zidon made little effort to resist Alexander. But Tyre underwent a long siege and a terrible destruction. The ancient city of Tyre stood on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and was a place of vast wealth. Its wealth and greatness is vividly described in Eze. 27. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre his army suffered the greatest hardship possible. But when the city was finally taken the army found nothing therein to recompense this toil. See Eze. 29:18-20. The people of Tyre, when they found their city was about to be taken, put all their wealth on board their ships and sailed for Carthage. This was B.C. 572. But a new city of Tyre was built upon an island which was three or four miles in circumference, and was about one-half mile from the shore on which old Tyre had stood. It was defended by walls of great height and of immense strength. Here it heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the street. Zech. 9:3. This is the Tyre which was besieged by Alexander the Great B.C. 332. To reach the city it was necessary for Alexander to fill up the space between the shore and the island on which the city stood. To do this Alexander took all the stones and rubbish of old Tyre and much other material. This was in accordance with the prophecy of Ezekiel 26, which particularly describes the work of Nebuchadnezzar. After a siege of seven months the city was taken by Alexander, and utterly destroyed by fire (Zech. 9:4), and the inhabitants were put to the most cruel death, two thousand being crucified.

The prophet next speaks of the cities of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod. These all had Persian Governors, and were obliged to make some resistance to Alexander. When Tyre was taken and destroyed, they knew that their turn must come next. Verses 5, 6. They hoped that Tyre would succeed in resisting Alexander, but their hope was vain. These cities lay in the direct route of Alexander for Egypt, and were each taken and devastated. Gaza, under the Persian Governor, Betis, made a strong defense. Alexander was wounded in the siege, and, to revenge himself, he put cords through the heels of Betis, and fastening the other end of them to a chariot, he dragged him around the city till he was dead. The statement of verse 6 well describes Alexander the conqueror of Ashdod. Though he is commonly called the son of Philip, the king of Macedon, yet Olympia, his mother, who was estranged from her husband, said that Alexander was the son of Jupiter, who entered her chamber in the form of a dragon. Every one is at liberty to believe her story if he can. Verse 7 predicts the great change which took place with the Philistines after their terrible overthrow by Alexander. They renounced the abominations of idolatry and became incorporated with the Jewish nation, or the worshipers of the true God. They were to be esteemed by God as honorable among his worshipers, and were to be as fully united with Israel as were the ancient Jebusites, of whom we have a remarkable example in the case of Araunah. 2 Sam. 24:16-24.

And now we come to the most remarkable prediction in this series of prophecies. Though Alexander was to pass and repass through Palestine, and though he was to destroy all the cities of the Philistines, yet the city of Jerusalem was to escape wholly unharmed. God says in verse 8 that he would encamp about his house and protect it from all danger. When Alexander besieged Tyre he sent to the Jewish nation for supplies of food. The Jews refused to furnish food to his army because they were the subjects of Darius, the king of Persia. But when Tyre had been taken, Alexander set out for Jerusalem with the purpose of destroying it. The Jews had no defense except in God. Josephus the historian tells us that they united in humbling themselves before God and in seeking his face. Then the high priest at the head of the people advanced to meet Alexander, who was coming at the head of his troops to destroy the city. When Alexander saw him dressed in the robes in which he ministered in the temple, he advanced toward him with the profoundest respect. Every one was astonished; but Alexander said that before he left Macedon he saw this very man in a dream, and was invited by him to invade Asia, and was promised by him entire success. "It is through his encouragement," said Alexander, "that I am here, and I am ready to worship and adore the God whose service he administers."