John Calvin Commentary Zechariah 2:11

"And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me unto thee." — Zechariah 2:11 (ASV)

The Prophet describes here the voluntary surrender of the nations, who would join themselves to the Church of God in such a way as to disown their own name and consider themselves Jews. This is what the Prophet borrowed from those who had predicted the same thing; but he confirms their testimony, so that the Jews might know that the propagation of the Church had not been promised to them in vain by so many witnesses.

It is quite evident that what is said here refers to the calling of the nations who would willingly surrender themselves to God; for it is said that they would be a people to God. This could not happen unless the nations surrendered their own name, so as to become one body with the Jews.

He then repeats what he had said: that God would dwell in the midst of Judea. Something was said about this dwelling yesterday; for since they had already begun to offer sacrifices in the temple, it follows that God was already dwelling among them.

We must then necessarily consider another kind of dwelling, namely, that which God—who had previously testified by many proofs that he was near the Jews—had finally accomplished through Christ. For Christ is truly Emmanuel, and in him God is present with us in the fullness of his power, justice, goodness, and glory.

He finally adds, Thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to thee. Something has also been said about this sentence: the Prophet means that it would be evident from what would actually take place that these things had not been foretold in vain, as the prophecy would be openly fulfilled before the eyes of all.

Then you shall know—not by the assurance of faith, which is grounded on the word, but by actual experience. But he expresses more than before, for he says, Thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts has sent me to thee. The particle אליך (alik), “to you,” is not superfluous; for he said a little while before that he was sent to the nations.

Since he now says that he would be the guardian of the chosen people, he also declares that his mission was to them; and he gives to God the name Jehovah of hosts, so that the Jews might feel assured that there would be no difficulty sufficient to hinder or delay the word of God, as he possessed supreme power and could thus easily execute whatever he had decreed.

I will not repeat now what I said yesterday about Christ; but we should nevertheless remember this: that he who declares that he was sent is often called Jehovah. It therefore appears that one and the same divine eternal essence is in more than one person. Let us go on.