Zekharya 2 | "Jerusalem Shall Be Settled beyond Her Walls"

This chapter consists of several short prophecies, all revolving around a single, central message – Jerusalem is destined for redemption.

The Horns and the Craftsmen: The commentators have long wrestled with the identity of the four horns that strike down Israel and Jerusalem. Some interpret the horns in concrete historical terms, as Israel’s surrounding enemies: Amon, Edom, Moav, and the Philistia — who coveted the land during Israel’s absence. Others suggest they represent the great empires that subjugated Israel: Assyria, Babylonia, Media, and Persia (and later, Rome as well). Still others refrain from interpreting each detail literally, viewing the horns as symbolic of Israel’s enemies in general, with the number four corresponding to the four winds of heaven. Throughout the prophetic visions in this book, commentators debate whether each image must be interpreted precisely, or whether their overall message suffices. We encourage you to explore the various interpretations and decide for yourselves. We’ll mention only the words of Ibn Ezra on the red horses in Chapter 1: “Upon a red horse — this is simply what he saw. There is no need to seek a reason why it is red.”

The Measuring Cord: The vision of the measuring cord is one of great redemption prophecies – Jerusalem will be so full of people that no wall will be able to contain them. In our generation, this prophecy has found expression in the founding of the “Mishkenot Sha’ananim” neighborhood by Sir Moses Montefiore, outside the walls of the Old City. The name of the neighborhood reflects the sanguine confidence of those living beyond the walls, echoing Yeshayahu’s words of consolation: “My people will reside in a shelter of peace, in dwelling of safety, in sanguine harbor” (Yeshayahu 32:18).

Yet perhaps this prophecy about the wall is not only a promise of redemption, but also an attempt to comfort the people facing difficult realities. In the book of Nechemya, we will learn of the critical security function the wall served. And during Zekharya’s time, the people were frustrated by their failure to rebuild the wall, and fearful of the threats that surrounded them. Zekharya reassures them that perhaps they do not need a wall at all — perhaps a wall would only limit Jerusalem’s growth. Even in our own times, some communities in Yehuda and Shomron refrain from building fences around their settlements, out of an ideological commitment not to constrain their future expansion.

Daughter Babylon and Daughter Zion: The chapter concludes with two separate prophecies, each directed at a different part of population in the nation. The first addresses Daughter Babylon, urging the exiles to flee the diaspora, with the promise that God will raise His hand against those who remain among the nations. This may imply that the hand will extend not only to the nations themselves, but also to those who choose to remain in their area. The second prophecy turns to 'Daughter Zion', the residents of Jerusalem who are filled with uncertainty, and who merit reassurance and consolation that God will return to dwell among them.