Luke 1:78 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The tender mercy— Σπλαγχνα ελεους, the bowels of mercy. These two words are often used in Scripture both jointly and separately. They signify pity, because that passion is commonly attended with a motion in the bowels, especially when the object of it is one we have an interest in. See Isaiah 63:15.Philippians 2:1. Colossians 3:12 where the bowels of mercy signify the most tender mercy. The phrase used by itself signifies any strong affection whatever. Thus Philemon 1:7. The bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. The day-spring from on high, is in the original Ανατολη εξ υψους. As the phrase, Ανατολη σεληνης, the rising of the moon, (Isaiah 60:19.) signifies the moon itself; so ανατολη, the elliptical expression here used for ανατολη ηλιου, may signify the sun. For Zacharias is alluding to those passages in the prophetic writings, which describe the Messiah by the metaphors of the light and the sun; particularly Malachi 4:2 where he is called the sun of righteousness, both on account of the light of his doctrine, and of the joy produced by his appearing. See also Isaiah 60:1-2; Isaiah 60:19. Indeed, no figure was ever more happily imagined, or more naturally applied, than this, which represents the promised seed under the notion of the sun. For most aptly may Jesus be likened to the rising sun; his doctrine being to the souls of men what light is to their bodies. It is altogether necessary for directing our steps in the paths of truth and righteousness; it is exceedingly pleasant to the spiritual taste, by discovering the most important and delightful truths; nay, like the light, it throws a beauty and pleasantness upon everything in this lower world, which, without the assurance of God's reconcileableness, would be but a dark and dreary scene to sinners, however noble and beautiful in itself. Dr. Doddridge renders Ανατολη by the dawning of the day; for it is well known, says he, that the word properly signifies that part of the heavens where the light begins toarise,—and the first shining of that light. The dawning of the day, seems therefore a very literal version; and I apprehend it more beautifully describes the state of things just at this interval, than if the sun had been represented as actually risen.