346 VISIONS AND PROPHECIES OF ZECHARIAH
" From him the corner (or corner-stone ), from him the nail (or peg }, from him the battle bow, yea, from him shall proceed every ruler together (or, he that will exercise all rule )." !
1 Many different interpretations of this verse have been given by commentators, who for the most part ignore any reference to the Messiah. Dr. Wright admits that "the corner" means the corner-stone, and that in Isa. xxviii. 16 this title, with others, is used in reference to the Messiah (p. 272) : and so evidently the term "nail," which is taken from Isa. xxii. ; but a few pages further on he blames Dr. Pusey, Bishop Wordsworth, and others for explaining these terms of the Messiah (which the Jewish Targum also does), and says that " such explana tion cannot be defended on any rational principles of exegesis." But if in those passages in Isaiah (which there is every reason to believe were known to Zechariah, and to which he very probably alludes) these titles refer to the Messiah, what " rational " grounds are there for saying that they do not refer to the Messiah in this passage in Zechariah ?
Hengstenberg, who translates, " Out of him the corner-stone, out of him the peg, out of him the war-bow, out of him will every ruler come forth together," explains in a general way as follows : " Having attained perfect freedom by the help of the Lord, who gives success to their arms, they will now receive rulers and officers from among themselves, and a military force of their own ; and whereas they formerly were a prey to strange conquerors, they will now terrify even foreign nations."
Keil, who translates the same as Hengstenberg, explains phinnah, the "corner," as "a suitable figure for the firm stately foundation which Judah is to receive." Yathed, "nail" or "plug," is a suitable figure for the supports or upholders of the whole political constitution. The war-bow stands for weapons of war and the military power ; and noges (which I have rendered ruler in the absolute sense), according to him (as well as Hengstenberg), " has the subordinate idea of oppressor or despotic ruler in this passage also ; but the idea of harshness (which is implied in the title) refers not to the covenant nation, but to its enemies." Kliefoth, explaining each word on the principle of a part of the whole, interprets "the corner-stone" to indicate the walls or fortifications; the "tent peg," to denote the camp; "the battle bow," warlike weapons of offence in general. All these are, according to him, included in the last phrase, Khol noges yachdav ) which he translates, "All which rules."
Lange maintains that the four terms are expressions denoting the leaders of the people two of them indicating the leaders required for war, and the other two the leaders in the days of peace. According to him, the "corner-stone denotes the fixed and established government; the "tent peg," those who took charge of travel; while the "battle bow " is supposed to indicate the regular leaders on the battlefield; and the noges, which he renders "assaulter" or " oppressor," the man who breaks through the hostile line of battle. But the explanation is fanciful, as are others which may be quoted.
On the rendering of the last clause see the note on p. 355.
I must add that in my notes on this verse I have embodied some paragraphs from the chapter, "Four Precious Titles of the Messiah," in my book, Rays of Messiah s Glory, which is out of print.
