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"From Him comes the cornerstone"

Text: Zechariah 10:4

TRANSLATION CHALLENGE NOTED

Sometimes, there are translational challenges that must be resolved. The following text is an example.

“From him comes the cornerstone,
From him the tent peg,
From him the battle bow,
From him every ruler together.”
Zechariah 10:4

1. The use of capital letters

a) It is normally use for proper nouns (Names of people, countries etc).

b) It is also used with reference to the LORD.

2. The personal pronoun

a) In this text, the personal pronoun was not in capital letters.

b) We are not sure why the translators did that.

3. In context

a) It is clearly a reference to the LORD of hosts.

b) It would have been consistent if the translators had written “Him” (reference to God) instead of “him” (human leader).

4. From the LORD’s hand would come the following:

a) All blessings come from the LORD.

b) Blessings highlighted:

i) “Cornerstone” (of any and every building)

City life to be borne in mind.

ii) “Tent pegs” (for those who prefer to live in tents)

The countryside is to be borne in mind.

iii) “The battle bow”

A symbolic weapon (for both attack and defence).

iv) “Every ruler”

All rulers are appointed by the LORD.