Zechariah

זכריה

 Vital Statistics

Background

 Zechariah's prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the Jewish restoration from Babylonian captivity. For historical details see Introduction to Haggai: Background.

Author and Unity

 Like Jeremiah (1:1) and Ezekiel (1:3), Zechariah was not only a prophet (1:1) but also a priest. He was born in Babylonia and was among those who returned to Judah in 538 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (his grandfather Iddo is named among the returnees in Ne 12:4). At a later time, when Joiakim was high priest, Zechariah apparently succeeded Iddo (1:1, 7) as head of that priestly family (Ne 12:10-16). Since the grandson succeeded the grandfather, it has been suggested that the father (Berekiah, 1:1, 7) died at an early age.

 Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai (Ezr 5:1; 6:14) but continued his ministry long after him (compare 1:1 and 7:1 with Hag 1:1; see also Ne 12:1-16). His young age (see 2:4) in the early period of his ministry makes it possible that he ministered even into the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 B.C.).

 Most likely Zechariah wrote the entire book that bears his name. Some have questioned his authorship of chs. 9-14--citing differences in style and other compositional features, and giving historical and chronological references that allegedly require a different date and author from those of chs. 1-8. All these objections, however, can be explained in other satisfactory ways, so there is no compelling reason to question the unity of the book.

Dates

 The dates of Zechariah's recorded messages are best correlated with those of Haggai and with other historical events as follows:

   1.   Haggai's first message (Hag 1:1-11; Ezr 5:1)    Aug. 29, 520 B.C.

   2.   Resumption of the building of the temple        Sept. 21, 520

        (Hag 1:12-15; Ezr 5:2) (The rebuilding seems

        to have been hindered from 536 to c. 530

        [Ezr 4:1-5], and the work ceased altogether

        from c. 530 to 520 [Ezr 4:24].)

   3.   Haggai's second message (Hag 2:1-9)            Oct. 17, 520

   4.   Beginning of Zechariah's preaching (1:1-6)     Oct./Nov., 520

   5.   Haggai's third message (Hag 2:10-19)            Dec. 18, 520

   6.   Haggai's fourth message (Hag 2:20-23)          Dec. 18, 520

   7.   Tattenai's letter to Darius concerning the      519-518

        rebuilding of the temple (Ezr 5:3-6:14)

        (There must have been a lapse of time

        between the resumption of the building

        and Tattenai's appearance.)

   8.   Zechariah's eight night visions (1:7-6:8)        Feb 15, 519

   9.   Joshua crowned (6:9-15)                         Feb 16 (?), 519

  10.   Repentance urged, blessings promised       Dec. 7, 518

        (chs. 7-8)

  11.   Dedication of the temple (Ezr 6:15-18)         Mar. 12, 516

  12.   Zechariah's final prophecy (chs. 9-14)          After 480 (?)

Occasion and Purpose

 The occasion is the same as that of the book of Haggai (see Background; Dates). The chief purpose of Zechariah (and Haggai) was to rebuke the people of Judah and to encourage and motivate them to complete the rebuilding of the temple (zec 4:8-10; Hag 1-2), though both prophets were clearly interested in spiritual renewal as well. In addition, the purpose of the eight night visions (1:7-6:8) is explained in 1:3,5-6: The Lord said that if Judah would return to him, he would return to them. Furthermore, his word would continue to be fulfilled.

Theological Teaching

 The theological teaching of the book is related to its Messianic as well as its apocalyptic and eschatological motifs. Regarding the Messianic emphasis, Zechariah foretold Christ's coming in lowliness (6:12), his humanity (6:12; 13:7), his rejection and betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (11:12-13), his crucifixion (struck by the "sword" of the Lord; 13:7), his priesthood (6:13), his kingship (6:13; 9:9; 14:9, 16), his coming in glory (14:4), his building of the Lord's temple (6:12-13), his reign (9:10; 14) and his establishment of enduring peace and prosperity (3:10; 9:9-10). These Messianic passages give added significance to Jesus' words in Lk 24:25-27, 44.

 Concerning the apocalyptic and eschatological emphasis, Zechariah foretold the siege of Jerusalem (12:1-3; 14:1-2), the initial victory of Judah's enemies (14:2), the Lord's defense of Jerusalem (14:3-4), the judgment on the nations (12:9; 14:3), the topographical changes in Judah (14:4-5), the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in the Messianic kingdom age (14:16-19) and the ultimate holiness of Jerusalem and her people (14:20-21).

 There is also theological significance in the prophet's name, which means "The LORD (Yahweh) remembers." "The LORD" is the personal, covenant name of God and is a perpetual testimony to his faithfulness to his promises (see note on Ex 3:14). He "remembers" his covenant promises and takes action to fulfill them. In the book of Zechariah God's promised deliverance from Babylonian exile, including a restored kingdom community and a functioning temple (the earthly throne of the divine King), leads into even grander pictures of the salvation and restoration to come through the Messiah.

 Finally, the book as a whole teaches the sovereignty of God in history, over people and nations--past, present and future.

Literary Form and Themes

 The book is primarily a mixture of exhortation (call to repentance, 1:2-6), prophetic visions (1:7-6:8) and judgment and salvation oracles (chs. 9-14). The prophetic visions of 1:7-6:8 are called apocalyptic (revelatory) literature, which is essentially a literature of encouragement to God's people. When the apocalyptic section is read along with the salvation (or deliverance) oracles in chs. 9-14, it becomes obvious that the dominant emphasis of the book is encouragement because of the glorious future that awaits the people of God.

 In fact, encouragement is the book's central theme--primarily encouragement to complete the rebuilding of the temple. Various means are used to accomplish this end, and these function as sub themes. For example, great stress is laid on the coming of the Messiah and the overthrow of all anti-kingdom forces by him so that God's rule can be finally and fully established on earth. The then-current local scene thus becomes the basis for contemplating the universal, eschatological picture.

The Rulers and Prophets of Zechariah's Time   

Zechariah Interpretive Challenges

While there are numerous challenges to the reader, two passages within the prophecy present notable interpretive difficulty. In 11:8, the Good Shepherd says, “In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.” The presence of the definite article points to familiarity, so that the Jews would have understood the identity of these shepherds without further reference. It is not so easy for modern readers to understand. Numerous alternatives concerning their identity have been suggested.

One of the oldest, and probably the correct view, identifies them as three orders of leaders: the priests, elders, and scribes of Israel. During His earthly ministry, Jesus also confronted the hypocrisy of Israel’s religious leaders (Mt 23), disowning them with scathing denunciations, followed by destruction of the whole nation in A.D. 70. Since his coming, the Jewish people have had no other prophet, priest, or king.

Considerable discussion also surrounds the identity of the individual who possessed “wounds on your body” (13:6). Some have identified him with Christ, the wounds supposedly referring to His crucifixión. But Christ could neither have denied that He was a prophet, nor could He have claimed that He was a farmer, or that He was wounded in the house of His friends. Obviously, it is a reference to a false prophet (vv. 4, 5) who was wounded in his idolatrous worship. The zeal for the Lord will be so great in the kingdom of Messiah that idolaters will make every attempt to hide their true identity, but their scars will be the telltale evidence of their iniquity.    

Outline

Zecharia Horizontal

God's character in Zechariah

1. God is good - 9:17

Christ in Zechariah

    The book of Zechariah abounds with passages prophesying the coming Messiah. Christ is portrayed as "My Servant the Branch" (3:8), "a priest on His throne" (6:13), and as "[Him] whom they pierced" (12:10). Zechariah accurately depicts Christ as both humble and triumphant. Christ is the King who provides salvation but comes "lowly and riding on a donkey" (9:9).