Zechariah 9:17

17 How very beautiful they will be! Grain and fresh wine will make the young men and women strong.

Zechariah 9:17 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 9:17

For how great [is] his goodness?
&c.] Not of the land of Judea, as Kimchi; nor of the doctrine of the law, as the Targum; nor of the people of the Jews; but of the Messiah: and designs not his essential nor his providential goodness; but his goodness as Mediator, which he has in his heart, and has shown unto his people, in being their surety, and becoming their Saviour; in assuming their nature; bearing their sins, and obeying and suffering in their room and stead: and also that which he has in his hands for them, and communicates to them; his fulness of grace; all those spiritual blessings that are in him; the large measures of grace given at conversion; and the numerous instances of his goodness afterwards; yea, it includes glory, as well as grace: and how great [is] his beauty?
not as God, nor as man, but as Mediator; as beheld in the covenant and promises; in the Gospel and in the truths and in the ordinances of it: corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids;
by "young men" are meant the same as in ( 1 John 2:14 ) believers in Christ, who are lively, warm, and zealous for Christ, his cause and interest; who are active, diligent, and industrious in the discharge of duty; and are strong in Christ, and in his grace; and particularly in the grace of faith, and quit themselves like men: and by "maids" or "virgins" are meant the same; so called because of their chaste adherence to Christ; for their beauty, comeliness, and attire; and for their purity of divine worship and conversation: and the Gospel is intended by "corn" and "new wine"; which is compared to "corn", in opposition to the chaff of human doctrines; and because it contains Christ the bread of life, and is nourishing and comfortable: and to "new wine", not because it is a novel doctrine, for it is the everlasting Gospel ordained before the world was; but because, under the Gospel dispensation, to which this prophecy refers, it is newly and more clearly revealed; (See Gill on Zechariah 9:15). The effect of which is, that it makes saints "cheerful", fills them with joy and spiritual mirth; for it is a joyful sound: or, "shall make fruitful" ^F4; it causes them to grow and increase, and makes them fruitful in every good word and work: or, "shall make them speak" eloquently ^F5; or cause them to put forth the fruit of their lips, in giving thanks to God for the abundance of grace bestowed upon them: or, "shall" make "them sing" ^F6, as others; in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This new wine may be interpreted of the gifts and graces bestowed in great plenty on the day of Pentecost, both on sons and daughters, on servants and handmaids, whereby they prophesied, and saw visions, ( Acts 2:16 Acts 2:17 ) see ( Ephesians 5:18 Ephesians 5:19 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (bbwny) "germinare faciet", Montanus; "progerminare faciet", Burkius; "foecundabit", Castalio; "dicitur de virginibus spiritualibus, quae sunt fructus multi evangelii", Zech. ix. 17. Stockius, p. 654.
F5 "Facundas faciet", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Tarnovius.
F6 "Cantare faciet", Pagninus, Drusius; so Ben Melech.

Zechariah 9:17 In-Context

15 The LORD who rules over all will be like a shield to his people. They will destroy their enemies. They'll use slings to throw stones at them. They'll drink the blood of their enemies as if it were wine. They'll be full like the bowl that is used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.

16 The LORD their God will save his people on that day. They will be like sheep that belong to his flock. They will gleam in his land like jewels in a crown.

17 How very beautiful they will be! Grain and fresh wine will make the young men and women strong.