Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. O great mountain? - The hinderances which were thrown in the way; the regal prohibition to discontinue the building of the temple.
Before Zerubbabel - a plain - The sovereign power of God shall remove them. March on, Zerubbabel; all shall be made plain and smooth before thee. I have given thee the work to do, and I will remove all hinderances out of thy way.
He shall bring forth the headstone - As he has laid the foundation stone, so shall he put on the headstone: as he has begun the building, so shall he finish it!
With shoutings - The universal acclamation of the people.
Grace, grace unto it - How beautiful is this structure! May the favor of God ever rest upon it, and be manifested in it!