Zechariah 9:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, they decided to thwart the Israelites’ plans to erect walls around the city by disseminating falsehoods about them and launching assaults. Their animosity became so intense that they sent a message to the king of the Persians, as recorded in the book of Ezra. The letter read: To King Artaxerxes, your servants Raphim, compiler of the acts, and Semelius the scribe, along with other members of their council and judges in Coelesyria and Phoenicia. Be informed, O king, that the Jews who were exiled to Babylon have returned to our land and are building a rebellious and wicked city, reconstructing its squares and walls, and establishing a temple. Yet understand this, once they achieve their goal, they will shirk taxes and refuse obedience, choosing rather to command than to submit. Thus, while they diligently work on the temple, we considered it prudent to inform you, O king, and not to disregard this matter. In light of their mockery toward Israel, who had just escaped slavery and endured great persecution, it was inevitable that God would become incensed and grant Israel victory over them. Consequently, following the completion of the temple, as the Israelites overran their cities, they subdued their inhabitants and amassed great wealth. Therefore, the prophecy is proclaimed, as the word of the Lord states regarding the land of Adrach and Damascus, including Imath, which lies within its borders and signifies Damascus itself. The land of Adrach is situated to the east, closely neighboring Imath (not far from Antioch) and Damascus, the foremost city of Phoenicia and Palestine. Clearly, both prominent and lesser cities will face subjugation. Why this prophecy against them? Because within them resided ‘His rest,’ the sovereign God overall. He observed their punishment and did not cease to attentively oversee His people, Israel, for the Almighty watches over humanity, guiding the path of every individual, bringing forth judgment upon the wicked while safeguarding the oppressed. The Lord’s anger, who detests wrongdoing, appears to have been assuaged after punishing those who grievously sinned against Him.

This dual meaning is encapsulated in the word Adrach (חדרך), comprised of two components: 'ad,' conveying severity and terror, and 'rach,' reflecting gentleness and mildness; thus, it is incorrect to read it as Sedrach.

Some interpreters suggest that Adrach represents the people of Judah and Damascus symbolizes the Gentiles who are summoned into the Church. Consequently, the manifestation of the Lord's word occurs in Adrach, where He exhibits both sternness to those who reject Him and compassion towards those who embraced faith in the Church alongside the Apostles. The Lord's claim over Damascus signifies the calling of the remnant, as articulated in Isaiah: “And His honour shall rest” (Isaiah 11:10, LXX 11:10), for before a child can discern between right and wrong and name his parents, the power and spoils of Damascus are granted (Isaiah 8:4).

Thus, the term Damascus can signify either “he who drinks blood” or refer to “the blood of the garment,” leading to the first interpretation indicating a violent nation, and the latter denoting a cruelty entwined with regret. The phrase “The eye of the Lord is on every man and all the tribes of Israel” is understood to mean that a temple dedicated to God will rise from these peoples, namely from Adrach and Damascus, places that bring comfort, as everyone who turns toward God and places their trust in Him belongs to the Lord—both Gentiles and every tribe of Israel. The LXX indeed affirms that God regards all people and all the tribes of Israel without partiality. Furthermore, we recognize the burden of the Lord's word, along with the profound weight felt in Adrach and in Damascus through His sacrifices and offerings; the Lord sincerely observes the faith of the Gentiles as well as the treachery of the circumcised, showing no favoritism, dispensing His justice on some while bringing peace to others.

The Jews assert that these prophecies are to be fulfilled upon the advent of Christ, which they anticipate in the final times, at which point the nations of Adrach, Damascus, Emath, Tyre, Sidon, Ascalon, Gaza, Akkaron, Azotus, and the Philistines will bow before the supreme King and serve Him during His time in Jerusalem. None will dare to rise against Israel once all surrounding nations are subdued. Yet, we maintain that this has been spiritually actualized in the coming of the Lord and in His Church.