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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Zechariah 7:2 - 7:2
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
they ... sent unto ... house of God - The Jews of the country sent to the house of God or congregation at Jerusalem. The altar was long since reared (Ezr 3:3), though the temple was not completed till two years afterwards (Ezr 6:15). The priests’ duty was to give decision on points of the law (Deu 17:9; Mat 2:4). Beth-el is here used instead of Beth-Jehovah, because the religious authorities, rather than the house itself (designated “Beth-Jehovah” in Zec 7:3), are intended. The old Beth-el had long ceased to be the seat of idol-worship, so that the name had lost its opprobrious meaning. “The house of the Lord” is used for the congregation of worshippers headed by their priests (Zec 3:7; Hos 8:1). Maurer makes the “house of God” nominative to “sent.” Henderson makes “Beth-el” so.
Sherezer - an Assyrian name meaning, “Prefect of the treasury.”
Regemmelech - meaning, “The king’s official.” These names perhaps intimate the semi-heathen character of the inquirers, which may also be implied in the name “Beth-el” (Hebrew for “house of God”), so notorious once for its calf-worship. They sent to Jehovah’s house as their forefathers sent to old Beth-el, not in the spirit of true obedience.
pray before the Lord - literally, “to entreat the face of,” that is, to offer sacrifices, the accompaniment of prayers, to conciliate His favor (1Sa 13:12).