Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
12:12-14 The clan of David . . . Nathan . . . Levi, and . . . Shimei: Zechariah might be referring to the royal families (David and his son Nathan; see 1 Chr 14:4) and the priestly families (Levi and his grandson Shimei; see Num 3:16-18; 1 Chr 6:16-17). Alternatively, the four families might represent the four principal classes of leadership in Old Testament times: the king (David, 1 Sam 16:1-13; the prophet (Nathan, 2 Sam 7:2), the priest (Levi, Deut 33:8-11), and the tribal leader (Shimei, 1 Kgs 1:8; 4:18). The first interpretation correlates with Zechariah’s emphasis on the Branch that will be both king and priest (see Zech 6:12-13). • each clan by itself: This separation depicts the depth and totality of Israel’s mourning.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
12:12-14 The clan of David . . . Nathan . . . Levi, and . . . Shimei: Zechariah might be referring to the royal families (David and his son Nathan; see 1 Chr 14:4) and the priestly families (Levi and his grandson Shimei; see Num 3:16-18; 1 Chr 6:16-17). Alternatively, the four families might represent the four principal classes of leadership in Old Testament times: the king (David, 1 Sam 16:1-13; the prophet (Nathan, 2 Sam 7:2), the priest (Levi, Deut 33:8-11), and the tribal leader (Shimei, 1 Kgs 1:8; 4:18). The first interpretation correlates with Zechariah’s emphasis on the Branch that will be both king and priest (see Zech 6:12-13). • each clan by itself: This separation depicts the depth and totality of Israel’s mourning.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
all the families who remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And all the other families by themselves, and their wives by themselves.