This verse continues to list places that are under the LORD’s eye: Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon. All three are to the north of Israel, though not as far north as Hadrach and Damascus.

Hamath also, which borders thereon: The province of Hamath shared a common border with both Hadrach and Damascus (Chary). Many modern versions mention one or the other: “Hadrach” (Good News Translation), “Damascus” (Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise: There is a minor problem in that the verb translated are … wise is singular in form, whereas it describes two cities, Tyre and Sidon, and a plural would be expected. However, these two names are, like Sodom and Gomorrah, linked together so often (for instance in Jer 47.4; Joel 3.4) that many scholars are happy to regard them as a unit for which a singular verb is appropriate. This seems to have been the view of ancient translators, as both the Septuagint and the Vulgate translate with a plural verb.

There is a problem in interpreting the clause that Revised Standard Version renders though they are very wise. The conjunction translated though can carry this meaning, but more often it means “because, for.” The meaning though fits with the Revised Standard Version interpretation of verse 1 in which “the word of the LORD is against” the places named; it is seen as against Tyre and Sidon despite their wisdom. But if we reject the interpretation “against” in verse 1, then we should also reject the interpretation though in verse 2. If the translator interprets verse 1 to mean that people look to the LORD, then in verse 2 it makes good sense to say that Tyre and Sidon do so “because they are very wise.” If on the other hand, the translator interprets verse 1 to mean that the LORD has his eye on people everywhere, then verse 2 makes the best sense when understood to say that he has his eye on Tyre and Sidon “with all their skill” (Good News Translation), “whose skill is great” (Bible en français courant), or “where the people are so clever” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch; similarly Contemporary English Version). Lamarche has proposed linking this final clause of verse 2 with what follows in verse 3, but this suggestion creates an awkward structure and has not been widely accepted. Translation models for the whole verse are:

• He has his eye on Hamath which borders Damascus [or, Hadrach], and on Tyre and Sidon with all their great wisdom.

• The neighboring state of Hamath will also look to the LORD, together with Tyre and Sidon, because their people are so wise.

The first possibility is somewhat preferable, but the translator must make a choice of interpretation which is consistent with the choice made in verse 1.

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 .