Chapter 2
1 And again I lifted up my eyes and saw: behold, a man with a surveying rope in his hand. (The surveying rope symbolized the restoration of ownership of the lands).
2 I asked: where are you going? and he said to me: measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length. (For measuring Jerusalem).
3 And now the Angel who spoke to me comes out, and another Angel comes to meet him, (a whole host of messenger angels).
4 And he said to this: Go quickly and tell this young man: Jerusalem will populate the surrounding area because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. (Angels broadcast through the prophet, and not directly; apparently, this angel received this information from circles close to the Persian court).
5 And I will be to him, says the Lord, a wall of fire around him, and I will be glorified in the midst of him. (The priests of Yahweh rejoice.)
6 Hey, hey! flee from the north country, says the Lord: for I have scattered you to the four winds of the heavens, says the Lord. (The Jews found themselves in a scattered position, as they were evicted from Israel and Judea, but now the priests of Judaism are calling for fleeing Babylonia – the “northern country”).
7 Save yourself, O Zion, who dwells among the daughters of Babylon. (Yahweh, that is, the knowledgeable elite of Judaism, undoubtedly means the Jews who did not want to leave Babylon and return to their homeland).
8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: For glory He sent Me to the nations that plundered you, for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Yahweh protects his people and will take revenge on those nations who robbed the Jews).
9 And behold, I will lift up My hand against them, and they will become the prey of their servants, and then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. (Retribution is inevitable!).
10 Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Zion! For, behold, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. (Yahweh will triumph).
11 And many nations will flee to the Lord in that day, and they will be My people; and I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. (Yahweh will triumph).
12 Then the Lord will take possession of Judah, His inheritance in the holy land, and will choose Jerusalem again. (Yahweh will triumph).