Zechariah

Composition

The book of Zechariah is part of the biblical Old Testament. It is believed to have been written over two separate periods beginning in the late sixth century BCE. Its authorship is attributed to the Jewish prophet Zechariah, but modern scholars believe the work was written by two different authors. Zechariah is considered to be one of twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. The term “minor” refers to the shorter length of these books; however, Zechariah is one of the longest of the minor prophet works.

Zechariah is set about two decades after the Jews began to return from exile in Babylon. In 597 BCE, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II began a series of conquests of the kingdom of Judah. In 586 BCE, he laid siege to the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish temple. From 597–581 BCE, thousands of Jews were displaced and forced into exile in Babylon. They remained there until 537 BCE when Persian King Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return home.

The book of Zechariah states that he is the son of Berekiah and the grandson of Iddo. Some biblical scholars speculate that Iddo was a Jewish priest who was among the first group of Jews to return to Judah in 537 BCE. Like his grandfather, Zechariah was also said to be a priest. In Hebrew, the name Zechariah means “the Lord remembers.”

The opening chapter of Zechariah places its writing at about 520–518 BCE. The style of the first eight chapters of the book differ greatly from the final six. The language, subject matter, and writing style used are so distinct that experts believe the sections were written by two different authors. The opening chapters are typically attributed to Zechariah, while the final chapters are believed to have been written sometime after 480 BCE—likely decades or centuries later.

Summary

The book of Zechariah begins with a short introduction in which Zechariah reminds the people that the reason the Jews were sent into exile was because they had angered God. He says that the Jews refused to listen to the prophets of God and continued in their evil ways. The people repent and tell Zechariah that the Lord’s punishment was just.

Zechariah then experiences a series of nine dreams, or night visions as he calls them. In the first vision, Zechariah sees a horseman and several horses. An angel explains that these are God’s horsemen who patrol the world to make sure it is at peace.

In the second vision, Zechariah sees four horns, which, he is told, are the four nations that conquered Judah and scattered the Jews. Four blacksmiths appear to cut down the horns so they can no longer harm the Jewish people. In Zechariah’s third vision, he sees a man with a measuring line who says he is going to measure the city of Jerusalem. An angel says Jerusalem will be a city without walls and that the angel will protect the city with a wall of fire.

In the fourth vision, the high priest Joshua appears wearing dirty clothes. The Lord orders that the dirty clothes be removed and Joshua be given clean garments to wear. He tells Joshua that he has removed Joshua’s sin and he will make Joshua a powerful religious leader if he follows God’s law. Then, the Lord says that he will bring forth his servant, which he calls the Branch, who will remove the sin on the land of Judah.

The fifth vision is of a bowl on top of a gold lampstand surrounded by seven lamps. On each side of the lamps is an olive tree. Seven channels lead into the seven lamps. An angel explains that the oil from the trees represents the spirit of God, which will empower Zerubbabel—the governor of Judah at the time—to rebuild the temple. Zechariah’s sixth vision is of a flying scroll with words on one side that lay a curse on thieves and words on the other that curse those who swear false oaths. The Lord says the scroll will enter the houses of thieves and deceivers and destroy them.

The seventh vision is of a woman in a giant basket. The basket is being carried in the air by two other women with stork wings. Zechariah is told that the basket is the guilt of the people and the woman is wickedness. In Zechariah’s eighth vision, he sees four chariots riding forth. The first chariot is drawn by red horses, the second by black horses, the third by white, and the fourth dappled. The chariots ride out into the four directions—north, south, east, and west. The angel says they are the four spirits, or winds, of heaven, bringing the Lord’s presence to the world. In one final vision, Zechariah sees Joshua receiving a golden crown. The Lord again mentions a figure known as the Branch who will build the Lord’s temple and sit inside as ruler.

The narrative shifts ahead two years with Zechariah again telling the people the Jews were exiled because they had sinned. However, God will bless the people and bring them prosperity if they follow his law in their hearts and not just go through the motions.

The second part of Zechariah begins with a prophecy that many cities in the eastern Mediterranean region will be destroyed, but God will protect Jerusalem. At that time, the promised king will appear in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He will bring peace to all nations and reunite the scattered Jewish kingdoms.

Later, God’s prophecy states that a renewed Judah will be besieged, but the Lord will protect Jerusalem and give the people strength to overcome their enemies. The people will mourn over “the one they have pierced,” and cry for him as if he was their firstborn son. A great fountain in Jerusalem will cleanse the city and its inhabitants from sin.

However, this peace does not last. The book tells of a shepherd being struck down and the sheep scattering. Two-thirds of the people will die, but the remaining third will be tested by their tribulations. Jerusalem will be ransacked and plundered, but God will cause great calamities and overcome the attackers. God will restore Jerusalem and rule over all the people of the world.

Themes

Zechariah is a complex book that is clearly delineated by a shift in tone and writing style about halfway through. The first section consists of a series of Zechariah’s visions, which are almost all related to the Jewish people and the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem. The visions are deeply symbolic and confusing, even to Zechariah. After each vision, an angel must explain their meaning to him.

For example, Zechariah sees the flying scroll in his fifth vision, but angel must explain that it represents the curse of God’s judgment on the wicked. The angel must also explain to him that the four chariots he sees and the four spirits of heaven.

Modern scholars have interpreted the nine visions in various ways, but most see them as a way to visualize God’s unhappiness with his people and his wish that they will rebuild their relationship with him just as they are rebuilding their temple. The vision of Joshua in filthy garments can be seen as the guilt of the Jews for disappointing God, while his clean garments symbolize the purification of the people from their sin.

The themes of forgiveness and restoration are common throughout the first section of the book, but they come with a caveat—to truly forgive his people, God wants honest faith and devotion, not superficial acts. The promised Messiah of the Jews—the Branch described by Zechariah—will come to save his people, but he will only come if they prove themselves worthy. Some scholars have speculated that Zechariah may have believed the high priest Joshua could fulfil the promise of the Messiah.

The final six chapters of Zechariah are markedly different than the first part of the book. The first section is written as Zechariah’s first-person narrative, while the second part alternates between verse-like paragraphs and narratives. Both are written in the first person but presented as if they are the direct prophecies and words of God.

The second part of Zechariah is a type of apocalyptic literature in which deeply symbolic images are used to reveal possible future events. Many of the images found in Zechariah were also used by other apocalyptic writers of the Old Testament. At the same time, some images were later incorporated into New Testament works such as the gospels and the Book of Revelation.

For example, the image of the Messiah riding a donkey into Jerusalem mirrors the entrance of Jesus into the city in the four gospels. The reference to “the one they have pierced” could also be used to describe the wounds of Jesus during his crucifixion. The ideas of horsemen riding red, black, and white horses can also be seen in the four horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation. The end of Zechariah contains an image of a renewed Jerusalem, which is also how Revelation concludes with a new Jerusalem coming out of the clouds as a paradise on earth.

Bibliography

“Minor Prophets.” Society for Old Testament Study, 2022, www.sots.ac.uk/wiki/minor-prophets/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

Pratt, Richard L., Jr. “Overview of the Book of Zechariah.” Third Millennium Ministries, 2022, thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/41829. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

Rogers, Bret A. Jesus as the Pierced One: The Use of Zechariah 12:10 in John's Gospel and Revelation. Pickwick, 2020.

Rogness, Michael. “Theological Themes in Zechariah.” Enter the Bible, enterthebible.org/courses/zechariah/lessons/theological-themes-in-zechariah. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

Zavada, Jack. “Introduction to the Book of Zechariah: The Messiah Is Coming.” Learn Religions, 2 Mar. 2018, www.learnreligions.com/book-of-zechariah-4036303. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

“Zechariah.” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%201&version=NIV. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

“Zechariah.” Society for Old Testament Study, 2022, www.sots.ac.uk/wiki/zechariah/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

“Zechariah.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2022, bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/0. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.