Charles Ellicott Commentary Zechariah 10:4

"From him shall come forth the corner-stone, from him the nail, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler together." — Zechariah 10:4 (ASV)

Out of him. —Literally, from him. It is much disputed whether “him” means the Lord of Hosts or Judah. It appears to us best to understand it as referring to “Judah”— i.e., to the whole Jewish nation.

Came forth. —Better, shall proceed. (Jeremiah 30:21.)

Corner, or corner-stone, denotes a chieftain, on whom the whole national fabric is put together (1 Samuel 14:38; Isaiah 19:13).

Nail. —Also a chieftain, as one on whom everything hangs, or depends (Isaiah 22:23); or the figure may be taken from the tent-peg that holds firm the ropes supporting the tent.

Oppressor. —Either in the sense of ruler, as one who keeps people to their work, or it means oppressor of the nations, and is used in this way in contrast with the “oppressor” from the nations mentioned in Zechariah 9:8.

Together, or altogether, is added for emphasis. The meaning of the passage is that when the Lord of Hosts visits His flock, He will cause to arise from them such rulers and leaders as may be necessary to enable them to successfully resist their enemies.