Zechariah 9:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Concerning Israel, which was once likened to a vineyard acquired by Him, He never said, “I will take away the fence thereof, and it shall be plundered: and I will tear down the wall thereof, and it shall be trampled upon” (Isaiah 5:5). For us, who recognize His manifestation, the safeguarding barrier becomes Immanuel Himself, who envelops us in incomprehensible strength, repelling unholy spirits from our souls and preventing their assault. Consequently, the prophet declares of Him, “and you will be called the builder of fences, and your paths in the midst of your rest” (Is. 58:12). Just as those who enclose neglected vineyards typically annihilate the pathways to protect them from trampling, so our Lord Jesus Christ has established Himself as an unassailable wall for us, shielding us with divine powers and ensuring our safety. He further declared, “To this he that casteth out cannot come upon us;” for previously we were captives, susceptible and easily driven into various sins, led astray by the adversary as he transported us from one transgression to another. However, Christ has halted this: no thief shall assail us, nor shall he intrude upon us as he once did, for we are anchored in Christ, possessing a secure and steadfast soul, undistracted by what we ought to avoid, not swayed into idolatry, nor misled into error. We have entered into faith and love for God, and in our joy, we proclaim, “Set my feet upon the rock” (Psalm 39:3). When we affirm, “Now have I seen with my eyes,” we recognize that the moment of the Saviour's arrival is one of divine visitation; for “there is an east from above” (Luke 1:78), which David noted, “The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the earth” (Psalm 101:20). Though, at one time due to our transgressions, He withheld from us care, compassion, love, and such virtues, as though turning away from us, leaving us in a state of confusion, which the blessed David testifies to, saying, “I will turn away thy face, they shall be troubled: and they shall return to their own flesh” (Psalm 103:29). Nonetheless, now, at the coming of the Saviour, seeing through His eyes, we are redeemed and forgiven. What blessings have we not received, beyond description and truly deserving of wonder?

Ascalon will tremble with fear, and Gaza will mourn greatly, while Akkaron's expectations will be dashed. The king will disappear from Gaza, and Ascalon will fall into desolation. Foreigners will inhabit Azotus, and I will destroy their wickedness, removing their blood from their mouths and their detestable practices from among their teeth. They will dwell with our God and serve as commanders in Judah. Akkaron will be like Jebus, and I will establish a prominent place in My house, where no one will pass through or return. No predator shall trespass upon them, for I have seen with My own eyes.

Understanding the meanings of the names: Ascalon denotes something obscure or weighed; Gaza signifies strength; Akkaron conveys barrenness or uprooting; Azotus, in Hebrew Ashdod, means the fire that generates or the fire of kin; and Jebus denotes something trampled.

We clarify these names to summarize the meaning of this passage. Ascalon, Gaza, and Akkaron reflect upon the fate that befell them after the destruction of their neighbors and the loss of all their resources, which were consumed by fire from the Lord. They were brought under His dominion, and in response, they were filled with fear, sorrow, and shame, leading them to desire better outcomes. Ascalon, once ruled by evil, trembled in fear due to its desolation. Gaza, once mighty and unyielding, felt great sorrow and repentance for its past wrongdoings since its king and rulers—the very forces of opposition—lost their might. The barren Akkaron, devoid of knowledge and holiness, was uprooted upon hearing the prophetic call: “Rejoice, O barren one, who has not given birth; break forth and cry out, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married” (Isaiah 54:1).

When Ascalon, Gaza, and Akkaron are filled with dread, either from desolation, the loss of a king, or shattered expectations, foreigners will dwell in Azotus, where the fire the Lord wishes to burn will reveal its effect (Luke 12:49). He administers a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). There is a relative, a kindred spirit, to whom the bride in the Song of Songs aspires; there lies the flame of sustenance. We read, "While the king was at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance" (Song of Songs 1:12), and the Apostle mentions, "I fed you with milk, not solid food" (1 Corinthians 3:2).

Concerning the LXX, we state that foreigners shall dwell in Azotus, which we have translated accordingly. The Hebrew term suggested that a Manizer would sit in Azotus; thus, we say, “The Separator shall dwell in Azotus.” By the Separator, we refer to the Lord, who will separate the wheat from the chaff (Matthew 3:12) and distinguish the good from the tainted. Once this is accomplished, He assures of further promises, proclaiming, "I will rid them of the pride of the Philistines." The LXX translates this as foreigners. The term "Philistines" signifies those who are intoxicated and fall prostrate, having drunk from the cup of Babylon.

In the time of the Gentiles' calling and Christ's coming, they will shed their arrogance, choosing to follow the humble and meek Jesus. He shall cleanse their mouths of vile and blasphemous words, their idolatries, and all that is associated with their false worship. After all these impurities are cast away, they shall remain devoted to the Lord, and Judah—the faithful people—will lead, while those who were once first will be last. The formerly barren Akkaron shall transform into Jebus, which is symbolic of Jerusalem, known by its three names: Jebus, Salem, and Jerusalem.

The Lord declares that He will surround His house—the Church—with those who serve Him, those who journey at His command. He assures that no adversary will threaten with violence, as He promises to end the tumultuous affliction (Isaiah 14:4). The Lord observes the calling of the nations and the protection of His Church with His providential gaze, which encompasses His prophets and saints.

However, the true realization of the prophecy came with the arrival of our Savior; for now, having forsaken the allurements of false worship, the Ascalonites and the Accaronites, along with others, have embraced the illumination of divine truth, and those among them chosen for shepherding are distinguished like thousands of valiant warriors and leaders. Hence, the All-Holy Spirit, having proclaimed these truths, also reveals the reason for these blessings, and speaks through the mouth of the Prophet: