Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 1:16-17
16. Therefore Because Jehovah is jealous for Jerusalem and angry with the nations. I am returned to Jerusalem The tense is to be understood as a perfect of prophetic certainty. The return is not yet accomplished. With mercies Or, compassion. Not with judgments or wrath as in the past. 16b and 17 describe the consequences of the divine return. My house shall be built So long as the temple remains uncompleted Jehovah can have no permanent abiding place in the city. It was... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 1:15
15. An inevitable concomitant of Jehovah’s jealousy for Jerusalem is his wrath against the nations that have ill-treated the former. Very sore displeased A participial construction expressing the idea that the wrath is permanent (compare Zechariah 1:2). The heathen that are at ease R.V., “the nations.” Their continued peace (Zechariah 1:11) and prosperity have made them self-confident and careless (Isaiah 37:29). For This introduces the reason for the sore displeasure of Jehovah.... read more