Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
Turn you to the strong hold - in contrast to the "pit" (Zechariah 9:11) х bitsaarown (H1225), from baatsar (H1219), to cut off]; literally, 'a place cut off from access.' Maurer thinks, 'a height' (Psalms 18:33). An image for the security which the returning Jews shall have in Messiah (Zechariah 9:8) encamped about His people (Psalms 46:1; Psalms 46:5: cf. Isaiah 49:9; Proverbs 17:10).
Ye prisoners of hope - i:e., who, in spite of afflictions (Job 13:15; Psalms 13:5,11), maintain hope in the covenant-keeping God; in contrast to unbelievers, who say, "There is no hope" (Jeremiah 2:25; Jeremiah 18:12). Especially those Jews who believe God's word to Israel (Jeremiah 31:17, "There is hope in the end that thy children shall come again to their own border"), and do not say, as in Ezekiel 37:11, "Our hope is lost." Primarily, the Jews of Zechariah's time are encouraged not to be dispirited in building by their trials; secondarily, the Jews before the coming restoration are encouraged to look to Messiah for deliverance from their last oppressors.
Even today - when your circumstances seem so unpromising; in contrast with the "day of the Lord," when Zion's King shall come to her deliverance (Zechariah 9:9).
Do I declare that I will render double unto thee - great as has been thy adversity, thy prosperity shall be doubly greater (Isaiah 61:7).