Zechariah 9:12
stronghold—in contrast to the "pit" (Zechariah 9:11); literally, "a place cut off from access." MAURER thinks, "a height" (Psalms 18:33). An image for the security which the returning Jews shall have in Messiah (Zechariah 9:8) encamped about His people (Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:5; compare Isaiah 49:9; Proverbs 18:10).
prisoners of hope—that is, who in spite of afflictions (Job 13:15; Psalms 42:5, Psalms 42:11) maintain hope in the covenant-keeping God; in contrast to unbelievers, who say, "There is no hope" (Jeremiah 2:25; Jeremiah 18:12). Especially those Jews who believe God's word to Israel (Jeremiah 31:17), "there is hope in the end, that thy children shall come again to their own border," and do not say, as in Ezekiel 37:11, "Our hope is lost." Primarily, the Jews of Zechariah's time are encouraged not to be dispirited in building by their trials; secondarily, the Jews before the coming restoration are encouraged to look to Messiah for deliverance from their last oppressors.
even to-day—when your circumstances seem so unpromising; in contrast with the "day of the Lord," when Zion's King shall come to her deliverance (Zechariah 9:9).
I will render double—Great as has been thy adversity, thy prosperity shall be doubly greater (Isaiah 61:7).
