Page:Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah (Baron, David).djvu/68



The " Carpenters " or Smiths

Apart from the final and total overthrow of confederated Gentile world-power at the time of the end, the prophet is also made to see what we may describe as the gradual process of the decay and overthrow of the four great empires in turn.

" And Jehovah showed me four carpenters?" literally, " workmen," or " smiths," as the R.V. renders the word. The Hebrew Knn } harash, designates a cunning workman or artificer in either wood, stone, or metal. And as the prophet evidently sees them coming on the stage of his prophetic vision in readiness for work, with, perhaps, the tools or implements of their trade in their hands, he asks:

"What come these to do? " And the answer, evidently of the Lord Himself, though it may have been through the interpreting angel, is: " These (are) the horns whicJi have scattered Judah"

This first sentence in the reply is a repetition of the statement in the preceding verse, but words are added which are meant to emphasise the greatness of Israel's sorrow and affliction during the period of their being tossed about by these " horns "; for their sufferings have been such (literally, " according to the measure," i.e., in such a manner) " tJtat no man did lift up his head" so heavily did oppression weigh upon them, but these (the harashim, or " workmen ") are come to fray (literally, " to terrify ")

"them, and to cast down the horns of the nations ivhich are lifting up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it"

(i.e., the inhabitants or population of if].

Who are these workmen, or smiths? " Symbols of Divine judgment " in a general way, says one learned com mentator. " Symbols of the instruments of the Divine Omnipotence by which the imperial power in its historical forms is overthrown," says another. But while it is true that this part of the vision is designed to show to the people of God in a general way, " that every hostile power of the world which has risen up against it, or shall rise up,