Zacarias 12

Zacarias 12

Wiersbe - Note the specific groups of people who will repent (12:12–14): David (royalty), Nathan (the prophets), Levi (the priests). Throughout Israel’s history, it has been the prophets, priests, and kings who often led the people astray. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines of the OT) Zechariah 12:13 the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself : Ex 6:16-26 Nu 3:1-4:49 Mal 2:4-9 the family of the Shimeites by itself : or, Simeon, as LXX, 2Sa 16:5 1Ki 1:8 1Ch 3:19 4:27 23:7,10 2Ch 29:14 The family of the house of Levi by itself - The priests will mourn. It is interesting that the prophet mentions these groups who would be members of one of the 12 tribes. Will they know which tribe they belong to at this time? I am not sure. But God knows and so He knows and is probably signifying the fact that the mourning among the Jews when they see their Messiah will be reflective of all having a broken heart. And as we will see in Zechariah 13:8-9, those Jews who mourn and repent and believe in Messiah are only one-third of the entire nation of Israel. The family of the Shimeites by itself - Shimei son of Gershon, the son of Levi (Nu 3:17–18, 21) And their wives by themselves...And their wives by themselves - see Feinberg's comment in verse 12. Zechariah 12:14 all the families that remain, every family by itself and their wives by themselves. NATIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL MOURNING This is a very poor chapter break (recalling they were not inspired), but naturally flows into the next verse (pun intended) which says “In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. (Zechariah 13:1-note) Their mourning and weeping and repenting has prepared their hearts be be washed clean of their sin even as Ezekiel had prophesied "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. (Ezekiel 36:25-note) And then washed by the blood of the Lamb and having the Spirit poured out on them (Joel 2:28-note) Zechariah says at that time They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'" (Zechariah 13:9-note) Feinberg - Because of the overwhelming sorrow each family will weep apart. It will be an intense and sincere sorrow; private and public; national and individual; personal and family. All the families that remain - Everyone not characterized as members of one of the groups in Zech 12:12-14 will mourn and repent after looking upon the Messiah Whom they pierced. Every family by itself - By itself. six times and five by themselves in Zech 12:12, 13, 14. As noted the KJV has "apart" eleven times. Individual repentance is emphasized.