The Book of Zechariah builds its Prophecy on events surrounding the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the Exile of Judah. This was followed 70 years later by the partial return of the Exiles from Judah, the Rebuilding of Jerusalem, and of the Temple.
This was an historical event, something that did happen. A
closer examination of the text however reveals that the
described events are only used as Prototypes on which to build a larger Scenario concerning Redemption in the End Times and the rebuilding of the End Times Temple at that time. In chapters one and two the Prophet Zechariah describes Four Horns and Four Craftsmen: The Horns symbolize the adversaries of Judah, whereas the Craftsmen have come to help Judah and Jerusalem. The Craftsmen are interpreted to represent either Four Major Saviors or Four Kingdoms coming to help Judah.
2 Vengeance by the Other Tribes agaisnt Gentiles for their Oppressing of Judah. Based on the consideration that Four kingdoms are intended this could coincide with the Prophecy that the People of Israel will take vengeance against Edom for what they did to Judah:
Ezekiel 25:12-14:
Thus said the Lord G-d: Because Edom acted vengefully against the House of Judah and incurred guilt by wreaking revenge upon it—
assuredly, thus said the Lord G-d: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast, and I will lay it in ruins; from Tema to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.
I will wreak My vengeance on Edom through My people Israel, and they shall take action against Edom in accordance with My blazing anger; and they shall know My vengeance— declares the Lord G-d.
3 Four Saviors or Kingdoms, or Both? The Midrash has alternate interpretation that the Four Craftsmen represent future Saviors does not contradict their representation as Kingdoms since by Saviors may be intended different portions of the Ten Tribes with “Saviors” leading them.
cf. Midrash BaMidbar Rabah 12:2 as presented by Menachem
Zeev Stern, “Torah shel Baal Peh”):.
Zechariah 1:
20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21 I asked,
‘What are these coming to do?’
He answered, ‘These are the horns that scattered Judah so
that no one could raise their head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people.’ [Most versions of the Hebrew Text number these verses 2:3-4].
These [Saviors] are the Four Craftsmen. David commented on this:
Psalms 60:
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.
Gilead is Eliyahu who was an inhabitant of Gilead (1-Kings
17:1).
Manasseh is a future Messiah who will come from the Tribe of
Manasseh.
cf.
Psalm 80:
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
cf.
Psalm 60:7
Ephraim is my helmet. This is the Anointed Leader of War who comes from Ephraim, cf. “In majesty he is like a firstborn bull” (Deuteronomy 33:17).
“Judah is my scepter” (Psalms 60:7): This is the Great Redeemer who will be descended from the sons of David.
4 The Fourth Savior.
The Midrash continues and according to the Commentary of
Stern it explains that though in effect we have here Three
Saviors, one from Ephraim, another from Manasseh, and
then a descendant of David from Judah. After that a fourth Savior will appear and he too will be a descendant of David from the Tribe of Judah yet more linked to Moab through Ruth the ancestress of King David. The main Redemption will be The concept of Saviors does not necessarily contradict the Craftsmen representing specific nations since each one of the Saviors may be destined to head a National Group.
The four horns and four craftsmen (…also translated
“engravers” or “artisans”) are a vision found in Book of Zechariah, in Zechariah 1:21 in traditional English texts. In
Hebrew texts 1:18-21 is numbered 2:1-4. The vision precedes the vision of A Man With a Measuring Line.
Hebrew Bible text
And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. 2
And I said unto the angel that spoke with me: ‘What are these?’ And he said unto me: ‘These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.’ 3 And the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 4 Then said I: ‘What come these to do?’ And he spoke, saying: ‘These are the horns
which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head, these then are come to frighten them, to cast down the horns of the nations, which lifted up their horn against the land of
Judah to scatter it.’ Zechariah 2:1-4
In the Talmud
The four craftsmen are discussed in Babylonian Talmud Suk.
52b. Rav Hana bar Bizna attributed to Rav Simeon Hasida
the identification of these four craftsmen as Messiah ben David, Messiah ben Joseph, Elijah, and the Righteous Priest.
[1] However David Kimhi interpreted the four craftsmen as
four kingdoms.[2]
In later interpretation The imagery of craftsmen is generally considered as “smiths”, able to master the four iron horns, as symbolizing nations used as instruments of divine power for the destruction of Israel’s enemies.
6 Zechariah (extract from “Origin.”): The Prophet
Zechariah says that G-d is angry with the non-Israelite
Gentiles because they persecuted Judah. G-d was a little angry with the Jews and the Gentiles took advantage of it to oppress Judah more than was warranted (1:15). Whoever harms Judah hurts the apple of G-d’s eye (2:8). In the last
days the righteousness of the faith of Judah will be acknowledged:
Zechariah 8:23
23 IN THOSE DAYS TEN MEN OUT OF ALL THE LANGUAGES OF THE NATIONS, EVEN SHALL TAKE HOLD OF THE SKIRT OF HIM THAT IS A JEW, SAYING, WE WILL
GO WITH YOU: FOR WE HAVE HEARD THAT G-D IS WITH YOU.
Zechariah speaks of the Rebuilding of the Temple (6:15). He says that those who are “far off” will participate.
Commentators (Abarbanel, Malbim) indicate here and
elsewhere that the Lost TenTribes will be instrumental in rebuilding the Temple. The four major fast days that the Jews of Judah now keep in mourning over the destruction and continued desolation of the Temple will be made feasts of rejoicing (Zechariah 8:19).
Zechariah 8:22
22 YEA, MANY PEOPLE AND STRONG NATIONS SHALL COME TO SEEK THE LORD OF HOSTS IN JERUSALEM, AND TO PRAY BEFORE THE LORD.
Ten men out of all nations of the earth will take hold of he who
is a Jew and will say, Let us go with you, for we have hold
that G-d is with you (8:23). Judah is a bow and Ephraim is the arrow against the sons of Yavan (9:13). “Yavan” usually means Greece but the term is also applicable to numerous
other peoples. Judah and Joseph will re-unite (10:6). Ephraim
shall be a mighty nation (10:7). They shall be delivered from
their places of exile and be brought to Gilead (Syria) and
Lebanon but there will still not be enough room for them (10:10).
The Rabbis have long been known for their deep understanding and interpretation of scripture, and one fascinating aspect of their teachings is the concept of the
“seven shepherds” and the “eight princes of men”. According to their teachings, these individuals hold significant roles in the history of Judaism and play a crucial part in the ultimate
redemption of the Jewish people.
The Rabbis assert that the “seven shepherds” consist of David, positioned at the center, with Adam, Seth, and Methuselah to his right, and Abraham, Jacob, and Moses to his left. Each of these individuals played a pivotal role in different periods of Jewish history, guiding and leading the
people of Israel through their teachings, actions, and leadership.
David, the renowned King of Israel, is considered the central
figure among the seven shepherds. His reign marked a
golden era in Jewish history, characterized by righteousness,
prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment. David’s psalms, which continue to inspire and provide solace to countless
individuals, are a testament to his deep connection with G-d.
Adam, the first human being created by G-d, symbolizes the
beginning of humanity’s journey. Seth, Adam’s son, is believed to have inherited his father’s spiritual qualities and was a righteous individual who continued the legacy of faith
and obedience to G-d.
Methuselah, known for being the oldest person mentioned in the Bible, is associated with longevity and wisdom. His existence spans almost a millennium, making him witness to significant events and providing guidance to future
generations.
On the left side of David, we find Abraham, the father of the
Jewish nation. His unwavering faith in G-d, his willingness to
sacrifice his son Isaac, and his commitment to righteousness
made him a revered figure in Judaism.
Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, is renowned for his transformation from a cunning young man to a righteous individual who wrestled with God and emerged with a new name, Israel. His twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, forming the foundation of the nation.
Moses, the greatest prophet in Jewish history, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. His role as a lawgiver and spiritual guide ensured the survival and preservation of Judaism throughout history.
The “eight princes of men” are Jesse, Saul, Samuel, Amos,
Zephaniah, Tzedekiah, Mashiah, and Elijah. These individuals are seen as important figures in Jewish history who continued the legacy of the seven shepherds and played significant roles in guiding and leading the Jewish people.
Jesse, the father of King David, signifies the continuation of the Davidic dynasty and the promise of a future Messiah.
Saul, the first king of Israel, represents the transitional period
between the time of the judges and the establishment of the
monarchy. Samuel, a prophet and judge, anointed both Saul and David as kings and played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the Jewish people. Amos and Zephaniah, both prophets,
delivered messages of repentance and justice in times of moral decay.
Tzedekiah, the last king of Judah, witnessed the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians. His reign marked the turning point in Jewish history, leading to the exile and dispersion of the Jewish people.
Mashiah, the anticipated Messiah, is believed to bring ultimate redemption and salvation to the Jewish people. According to the Rabbis, Mashiah will save the Jewish people by destroying the land of Ashur and Babylon, along with their rulers and princes, ensuring that no more enemies will arise to threaten the Jewish nation.
Elijah, one of the most revered prophets in Judaism, is associated with heralding the coming of the Messiah and the final redemption of the Jewish people. He is believed to have ascended to heaven without experiencing death, and it is believed that he will return before the arrival of the Mashiah.
While the Rabbis acknowledge that there is uncertainty regarding the source of this teaching, their interpretation
serves as a source of inspiration and hope for the Jewish people. It provides a vision of a future where the Jewish nation will be redeemed from their enemies, and righteousness and justice will prevail.
As we reflect on the teachings of the Rabbis regarding the “seven shepherds” and the “eight princes of men,” we are reminded of the rich tapestry of Jewish history. These individuals, through their actions, teachings, and leadership,
have left an indelible mark on the Jewish people, guiding them through times of triumph and tribulation.
Their stories serve as a reminder that we are all part of a larger narrative, and each of us has a role to play in the ultimate redemption of our people. As we strive to live righteous lives, emulate the qualities of these great individuals, and seek to make a positive impact on the world, we contribute to the ongoing story of the Jewish people.
May we find inspiration in the teachings of the Rabbis, and
may we be guided by the examples set by the “seven
shepherds” and the “eight princes of men”. May we continue
to strengthen our connection to our heritage, uphold the values of justice and righteousness, and work towards a future where the ultimate redemption of the Jewish people becomes a reality.
The End Game Unveiled Of Decoding the Prophetic Tapestry
In the labyrinthine corridors of prophecy and divine revelation,
lies a tapestry woven with threads of mystery and destiny. As we tread the path towards the climax of our shared narrative,
the veiled whispers of the Prophets beckon us to unravel the
enigmatic End Game – a saga of cosmic proportions, where
the fate of nations and the awakening of souls converge in a
symphony of redemption. The Enigmatic Return and Reunion
The ancient prophecies, shrouded in symbolic language and allegory, foretell the return of Judah to the sacred Land, where they will toil to revive its ancient glory and lay the groundwork for the long-awaited reunion with the Ten Tribes.
Could it be that the modern State of Israel, with its intricate tapestry of history and heritage, is the vessel through which this divine prophecy will manifest? As the sands of time shift, the narrative unfolds towards a poignant reunion that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
The Emergence of Twin Saviors
Amidst the ebb and flow of history, two luminous figures are
destined to emerge as the heralds of a new dawn – the Messiahs, bearers of divine grace and earthly power. The Messiah son of Joseph, rising from the lineage of Ephraim, shall lead the Ten Tribes in a grand procession of return, as they reclaim their ancestral heritage and breathe life into the barren lands. Simultaneously, the Messiah son of David shall ignite a spiritual revolution among the Jewish people, guiding them towards a path of repentance and purification in preparation for the divine reckoning.
The Resurrection of the Temple and the Division of the Promised Land
Amidst the swirling mists of prophecy, the Temple shall rise
from the ashes of antiquity, its golden spires reaching towards
the heavens as a beacon of hope and redemption. The Land
of Israel shall be apportioned among the Tribes, its
boundaries expanding to encompass territories long
forgotten, as the echoes of ancient prophecies resonate through the valleys and mountains. The gift of Prophecy shall return, a flame rekindled in the hearts of the chosen ones, illuminating the path towards a higher calling.
The Reign of the Messiahs and the Dawn of a New Age Amidst the clash of swords and the thunder of war drums, the Messiahs shall ascend their thrones, their gaze piercing the veil of time as they usher in a new era of peace and
prosperity. The Messiah son of David shall reign over the land
of Israel, his scepter a symbol of justice and righteousness, paving the way for a harmonious coexistence among all peoples. As their dominion extends beyond the boundaries of nation and creed, a new epoch shall dawn, heralding a golden age of spiritual enlightenment and universal
brotherhood.
Embracing the Unknown with Courage and Conviction
As we stand at the threshold of destiny, the intricacies of divine design may elude our grasp, veiled in the mists of eternity. Yet, in the face of uncertainty, we are called to embrace the unknown with unwavering faith and resolute action. For in the unfolding of the End Game, amidst the whispers of prophecy and the echoes of history, we may
discover the true essence of our being and the purpose that
guides our collective journey.