In verses 14-17 the prophet enlarges on the theme of God giving his people victory over their enemies, and develops it to include the subsequent celebrations and peaceful prosperity. The language used here is the language associated in other parts of the Old Testament with theophanies (that is, appearances of the LORD), usually defending his people or helping them defeat their enemies. This picture often links the appearance or activity of the LORD with dramatic natural events such as thunderstorms or earthquakes (compare for instance Exo 19.16-20; Jdg 5.4-5; Psa 18.7-15; Psa 144.5-6; Nahum 1.3-5; Hab 3.4-11).

Then the LORD will appear over them; that is, he will appear in the sky above “his people” (Good News Translation) in order to defend them (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). In languages where it is difficult to speak of the LORD appearing, translators may say, “His people will see the LORD above them to protect them.”

And his arrow go forth like lightning: Lightning is represented as the arrows of God in Hab 3.4, 11. Here the comparison is reversed, though the picture is essentially the same. Compare Psa 18.14.

The Lord GOD will sound the trumpet: The Hebrew expression for Lord GOD includes both the word ʾadonay (“lord” or “master”) and the divine name YHWH. This is why Revised Standard Version has GOD rather than Lord in capital letters. If possible, translators should distinguish this combination from “LORD” on its own, and from “LORD of hosts.” For instance, Good News Translation here translates Lord GOD as “Sovereign LORD,” whereas for “LORD of hosts” it usually has “LORD Almighty” (Hag 1.2 and many other places). The trumpet was made of an animal horn, usually a ram’s horn, not of metal like a modern musical instrument. A trumpet blast was a sign of the LORD’s presence at Sinai (Exo 19.16, 19) and is associated with the return of Christ (1 Cor 15.52; 1 Thes 4.16). In languages where it sounds strange to speak of the LORD blowing a trumpet, it may be better to say “the Lord GOD will cause a trumpet to be blown” or “… cause a trumpet to sound.” In Matt 24.31 the sense may be that the heavenly trumpets are blown by angels (compare Rev 8.2, 6-7), but translators should avoid mentioning any agent here in Zechariah.

And march forth in the whirlwinds of the south: The LORD is several times pictured in the Old Testament as traveling on a storm cloud, and coming from the south, literally from Teman, a place in the land of Edom, to the south of Judah (see Jdg 5.4; Psa 18.7-15; Hab 3.3-4). Severe whirlwinds or dust storms were well known in the desert areas of the Sinai peninsula, as mentioned in Isa 21.1, and may well be the basis of the comparison. March forth conveys the sense of an aggressive military type of movement. Other versions use the words “advance” (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible) or “attack” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .