Don Costello: Zechariah 12:10-14 The Mourning of Israel

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and as one that is in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

a. NLT: “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.

b. NIV: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

c. YLT: And I have poured on the house of David, And on the inhabitant of Jerusalem, A spirit of grace and supplications, And they have looked unto Me whom they pierced, And they have mourned over it, Like a mourning over the only one, And they have been in bitterness for it, Like a bitterness over the first-born.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

e. Septuagint: And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and compassion: and they shall look upon me, because they have mocked [me], and they shall make lamentation for him, as for a beloved [friend], and they shall grieve intensely, as for a firstborn [son].

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitant of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look toward Me, because of those whom they have stabbed; they will mourn over him like the embitterment over a [deceased] firstborn.

1. “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications…”

a. And I will pour [Strong: 8210 shaphak shaw-fak' a primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensively, to sprawl out:--cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip.]

b. on [Strong: 5921 `al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

c. the house [Strong: 1004 bayith bah'-yith probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).]

d. of David [Strong: 1732 David daw-veed' rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.]

e. and upon [Strong: 5921 `al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

f. the inhabitants [Strong: 3427 yashab yaw-shab' a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.]

g. of Jerusalem [Strong: 3389 Yruwshalaim yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine:--Jerusalem.]

h. the spirit [Strong: 7307 ruwach roo'-akh from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).]

i. of grace [Strong: 2580 chen khane from 2603; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):--favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-)favoured.]

j. and of supplications [Strong: 8469 tachanuwn takh-an-oon' or (feminine) tachanuwnah {takh-an-oo-naw'}; from 2603; earnest prayer:--intreaty, supplication.]

1). This pouring out of the spirit of grace and supplications is to enable Israel to receive the revelation of Jesus as their Messiah. Contrast the above with Romans 11:7-10, in particular verse 8.

a). Romans 11:7-10 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

11:9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

b). In Zechariah 12 God is pouring on Israel the spirit of grace and supplications and in Romans 11:8 God is reported to have poured on Israel the spirit of slumber to the extent that Israel would not see or hear their Messiah when he would come to them. But we need to look more closely at what Romans 11:8 is saying. Romans 11:8 is a combination of two verses in Isaiah. The first part is a partial quote of Isaiah 29:10, “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep,…” The second part is a looser reference to Isaiah 6:9 “Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,…” On first inspection it appears that God is doing this to the people without them being able to do anything about it. But when Jesus quoted Isaiah 6:9 in Matthew 13:15, we see something profoundly different. Jesus said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,…” Jesus was saying their spiritual sleep was their own fault. Just as Jesus placed the blame on the people for their spiritual condition, so it is with all of us. Peter warns us to be sober, i.e., alert spiritually, 1 Peter 5:8.

c). Another example is found in Zechariah 7:8-13

d). Here in Zechariah, in contrast to the Roman passage, where it was Israel’s own fault for the spirit of slumber, we see the God of Israel pouring out grace and mercy to enable them to see clearly their Messiah Christ Jesus.

2. “…and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”

a. [and they] look [Strong: 5027 nabat naw-bat' a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.]

1). They begin to look intently at this person who has powerfully rescued them. His rescue causes them to consider…they will look at the wounds in his hands and feet and side. And the revelation will flood their hearts and minds. They will realize that Jesus is their Messiah and their God. The revelation will spark the most bitter, the heaviest, and probably the longest period of mourning in Israel’s history.

b. upon [me] [Strong: 413 'el ale (but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el}); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).]

c. whom [Strong: 834 'aher ash-er' a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.]

d. they have pierced [Strong: 1856 daqar daw-kar' a primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile:--pierce, strike (thrust) through, wound.

1). They will notice the wounds in his body and begin to ask questions concerning them.

a). Zechariah 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

2). Perhaps some of the same dialogue will be exchanged that transpired between Jesus and Thomas after Jesus resurrection.

a). John 20:26-28 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

3). Insttute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 2/25/11 For centuries now, Jewish scholars have pondered the meaning and interpretation of this verse, and as one might imagine, there have been many varied interpretations. Since they cannot allow admission that they themselves pierced Jehovah, some have applied it to the nation of Israel with its persecutions in mind. But to resolve the issue, the question must be answered: Who is this "whom" who has been pierced? Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word translated "whom" is simply the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, aleph and tau, elsewhere denoting completeness and transcendency. Next, consider the fact that the primary name for God in Scripture, Jehovah, conveys a similar thought, although difficult to translate. Evidently the name Jehovah communicates, among other things, the all-encompassing and ever self-existing nature of God. These two thoughts come together when our text for the day is quoted in Revelation 1:7, 8: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." It is as if Jehovah Himself is asking the question: "Do you doubt whom it is you pierced? I am the Aleph Tau, the Alpha Omega, Jehovah the Almighty, the beginning and the ending of all things." JDM

3. “…and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son,

a. and they shall mourn [Strong: 4553 micepd mis-pade' from 5594; a lamentation:--lamentation, one mourneth, mourning, wailing.]

b. for [Strong: 5921`al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

c. as one mourneth [Strong: 5594 caphad saw-fad' a primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail:--lament, mourn(-er), wail.]

d. for [Strong: 5921 `al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

e. his only [son] [Strong: 3173 yachiyd yaw-kheed' from 3161; properly, united, i.e. sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced):--darling, desolate, only (child, son), solitary.]

4. “…and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

a. [and shall be] in bitterness [Strong: 4843 marar maw-rar' a primitive root; properly, to trickle (see 4752); but used only as a denominative from 4751; to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively):--(be, be in, deal, have, make) bitter(-ly, - ness), be moved with choler, (be, have sorely, it) grieved(-eth), provoke, vex.]

b. for [him] [Strong: 5921`al al properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.]

c. [as one that is] in bitterness [Strong: 4843 marar maw-rar' a primitive root; properly, to trickle (see 4752); but used only as a denominative from 4751; to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively):--(be, be in, deal, have, make) bitter(-ly, - ness), be moved with choler, (be, have sorely, it) grieved(-eth), provoke, vex.]

d. for his firstborn [Strong: 1060 bkowr bek-ore' from 1069; firstborn; hence, chief:--eldest (son), firstborn(-ling).]

1). Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.

a). Ashes were a common part of mourning Job 2:8; and for repenting for sin, Jonah 3:5, 6.

2). While Job was mourning the loss of his sons and daughters, his three friends did not speak to him for 7 days, Job 2:13. “So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

3). This mourning will not only be the most important of Israel’s history, it will be their most sincere and their deepest.

a). The period of mourning for Aaron was 30 days: Numbers 20:29.

b). The period of mourning for Moses was 30 days: Deuteronomy 34:8.

c). The period for mourning for Jacob was a total of 77 days: Genesis 50:3, 10.

4). Why they mourn in Zion? The first reason is of course they realize they have rejected and crucified their Messiah. As a nation his innocent blood is upon them, interestingly at their own request. Matthew 27:25, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” Cp. Deuteronomy 19:10; Matthew 23:35.

5). Another reason is they have lost 2/3 of their people, slaughtered by the anti-Christ (Zechariah 13:8, 9). These reasons for mourning will be shown in the notes of the passage Zechariah 12:11-14.

Zechariah 12:11

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

a. NLT: The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.

b. NIV: On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

c. YLT: In that day, great is the mourning of Jerusalem, As the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of [the city of] Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddo [over beloved King Josiah].

1). Amplified Note: King Josiah was mortally wounded at the age of thirty-nine. His death sparked an extraordinarily deep sense of grief among the people. That same kind of deep grief will characterize the mourning of Israel when they recognize as their once-crucified Messiah Him Who has come to reign.

e. Septuagint: In that day the lamentation in Jerusalem shall be very great, as the mourning for the pomegranate grove cut down in the plain.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: On that day the mourning will become intense in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon [and the mourning] at the Valley of Megiddon.

1. “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem…”

a. In that [Strong: 1931 huw' hoo of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.]

b. day [Strong: 3117 yowm yome from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, + chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.]

c. shall there be a great [Strong: 1431 gadal gaw-dal' a primitive root; properly, to twist (Compare 1434), i.e. to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride):--advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to...estate, + things), grow(up),increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower.]

d. mourning [Strong: 4553 micepd mis-pade' from 5594; a lamentation:--lamentation, one mourneth, mourning, wailing.]

e. in Jerusalem [Strong: 3389 Yruwshalaim yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine:--Jerusalem.]

1). This mourning will be the greatest, longest and most severe of Israel’s history. They will first of all go into mourning because they crucified their Messiah and all the ungodliness that goes with it. They will mourn because of their sin.

a). Ezekiel 20:42-44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mind hand to give it to your fathers.

20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, not according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

b). Ezekiel 36:31, 32 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

36:32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

c). Isaiah 57:13-18 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

57:14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

57:16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

57:17 For the iniquity of his coveteousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on forwardly in the way of his heart.

57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

2). They will mourn because 2/3rds of their people have been slaughtered.

a). Zechariah 13:8,9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

b). I want to stress very strongly this mourning period will not last forever. As Isaiah 57:18 declares, God will restore comforts to him {Israel) and to his mourners.

2. “…as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.”

a. as the mourning mourning [Strong: 4553 micepd mis-pade' from 5594; a lamentation:--lamentation, one mourneth, mourning, wailing.]

b. of Hadadrimmon [Strong: 1910 Hadadrimmown had-ad-rim-mone' from 1908 and 7417; Hadad-Rimmon, a place in Palestine:--Hadad-rimmon.]

1). Hadadrimmon (Unger’s Bible Dictionary) “A place in the valley of Megiddo, originally named after two Syrian deities. The lamentation on account of the death of good king Josiah, who lost his life in battle here, was so great as to pass into a proverb.

a). 2 Chronicles 35:20-25 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

35:21 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.

35:22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

35:23 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

35:24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

35:25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

b). The mourning over Christ Jesus will surpass the mourning over Josiah.

c. in the valley [Strong: 1237 biq`ah bik-aw' from 1234; properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains:--plain, valley.]

d. of Megiddon [Strong: 4023 Mgiddown meg-id-done' (Zech. 12 or Mgiddow {meg-id-do'}; from 1413; rendezvous; Megiddon or Megiddo, a place in Palestine:--Megiddo, Megiddon.]

Zechariah 12:12

And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.

a. NLT: “All Israel will mourn, each clan by itself, and with the husbands separate from their wives. The clan of David will mourn alone, as will the clan of Nathan,

b. NIV: The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives,

c. YLT: And mourned hath the land -- every family apart, The family of the house of David apart, And their women apart; The family of the house of Nathan apart, And their women apart;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: And the land shall mourn, every family apart: the [kingly] family of the house of David apart and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan [David’s son] apart and their wives apart;

e. Septuagint: And the land shall lament in separate families, the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: The land will mourn each of the families by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves;

1. “And the land shall mourn, every family apart…”

a. [And] the land [Strong: 776 'erets eh'-rets from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):--X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.]

b. shall mourn [[Strong: caphad saw-fad' a primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail:--lament, mourn(-er), wail.]

c. every [Strong: 4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw' from 8192 (Compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family, kind(-red).]

d. family [Strong: 4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw' from 8192 (Compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family, kind(-red).]

e. apart [Strong: 905 bad bad from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.]

2. “…the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart…”

a. the family [Strong: 4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw' from 8192 (Compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family, kind(-red).]

b. of the house [Strong: 1004 bayith bah'-yith probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).]

c. of David [Strong: 1732 David daw-veed' rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.]

d. apart [Strong: 905 bad bad from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.]

e. and their wives [Strong: 802 'ishshah ish-shaw' feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym {naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as 582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none, one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.]

f. apart [Strong: 905 bad bad from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.]

1). There are two passages in Scripture that give some light on the fact of the husbands and wives being apart during this mourning period.

a). Exodus 19:10-15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them them today and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

19:15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

b). 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto her husband.

7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

c). From these two witnesses it is shown that there are times when spiritual growth requires being sexually abstinent. This explains the phrase, “and their wives apart.”

3. “…the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.”

c. of Nathan [Strong: 5416 Nathan naw-thawn' from 5414; given; Nathan, the name of five Israelites:--Nathan.]

Zechariah 12:13

The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart.

a. NLT: The clan of Levi, and the clan of Shimei.

b. NIV: The clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives,

c. YLT: The family of the house of Levi apart, And their women apart; The family of Shimei apart, And their women apart,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: The [priestly] family of the house of Levi apart and their wives apart; the family of Shimei [grandson of Levi] apart and their wives apart;

e. Septuagint: the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Symeon by itself, and their wives by themselves;

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: The family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself and their wives by themselves.

1. “The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart…”

a. The family [Strong: 4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw' from 8192 (Compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family, kind(-red).]

c. of Levi [Strong: 3878 Leviy lay-vee' from 3867; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob:--Levi.]

2. “…the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart.”

b. of Shimei [Strong: 8097 Shim`iy shim-ee' patronymically from 8096; a Shimite (collectively) or descendants of Shimi:--of Shimi, Shimites.]

c. apart [Strong: 905 bad bad from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength.]

d. and their wives [Strong: 802 'ishshah ish-shaw' feminine of 376 or 582; irregular plural, nashiym {naw-sheem'}; a woman (used in the same wide sense as 582):--(adulter)ess, each, every, female, X many, + none, one, + together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.]