2. To measure Jerusalem—(Compare Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15; Revelation 21:16). to see what is the breadth . . . what is the length—rather, "what is to be the due breadth and length." read more
In the next scene of his vision, Zechariah saw a man (i.e., an angel who looked like a man) with a measuring line in his hand (cf. Zechariah 1:11; Zechariah 6:12; Ezekiel 40:2-3). When the prophet asked him where he was going, he replied that he was going to measure the dimensions of Jerusalem. This surveying would have been preparation for restoring and rebuilding the city. The restoration of Jerusalem in progress in Zechariah’s day was only a foreview of a much grander future restoration to... read more
1. The vision itself 2:1-5 read more
The Third Vision1-5. A young man with a measuring line goes forth to measure Jerusalem preparatory to rebuilding the walls. But an angel is sent to stop him. The population will so increase as to exceed all human expectations, and God will be the city’s best defence. 6-9. The Jews are summoned to leave Babylon, for judgment is to fall upon that city. 10-12. God’s gracious promise to dwell in Jerusalem, to which the nations will come.1. A man with a measuring line] The vision is probably... read more
II.THIRD VISION.—THE MAN WITH THE MEASURING LINE.(1-5) This vision is a prophetic realisation of the fulfilment of the promise (Zechariah 1:16): “A line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.” read more
A SERIES OF SEVEN VISIONS.Zechariah 1:7 to Zechariah 6:15. Between the commencement of Zechariah’s prophetic labours and the incidents recorded in Zechariah 1:7 to Zechariah 6:15, the Prophet Haggai received the revelation contained in Haggai 2:10-23. On the four-and-twentieth day of the eleventh month, just five months after the re-building of the Temple was resumed, Zechariah sees a succession of seven visions in one night, followed by a symbolic action (Zechariah 6:9-15). read more
(2) What is . . .—Since there is no verb “is” or “will be” expressed in the original, it has been disputed whether the reference is to the actual or to the future condition of Jerusalem. But, we have little hesitation in saying that the whole vision is prophetic of the state of Jerusalem from its restoration to the time when God’s protection should be eventually removed from it. To this latter event, however, no reference is as yet made. read more
The Man with the Measuring Line Zechariah 2:1-2 The vision. This vision is really the protest of the Prophet against the attempt the Jews were making to narrow down the Divine purposes to the limit of their own paltry plans. In his vision the Prophet sees a young man, who stands for the Jewish people, with a measuring line in his hand. The Prophet hails the young man, and asks him whither he is going, and what is his errand. The young man answers, 'I go to measure Jerusalem, to see what is... read more
THE THIRD VISION: THE CITY OF PEACEZechariah 2:5-9Like the Second Vision, the Third follows from the First, another, but a still more significant, supplement. The First had promised the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and now the prophet beholds "a young man"-by this term he probably means "a servant" or "apprentice"-who is attempting to define the limits of the new city. In the light of what this attempt encounters, there can be little doubt that the prophet means to symbolize by it the intention of... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Zechariah 2:2
"Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof."This emphasizes the purpose of the vision, the portrayal of the unlimited, glorious extent of God's city. This was not done by the announcement of any dimensions, but by a heavenly interruption that revealed the utter impossibility of measuring the city. No attempted "measuring" ever took place."To measure Jerusalem ..." That this is impossible of any... read more