Introduction
Overview
Zechariah does mention the problem of sin and covenant violation, and he does issue a call to faithful and just living, but his stress is clearly on the coming future restoration. Like Haggai, Zechariah is concerned with the rebuilding of the temple, but like Ezekiel, he also points to something in the future that is bigger and more spectacular, that is beyond the temple they are building. Intertwined into this future vision is the glory of God, a constant theme in the prophetic books.
Like other prophetic books, Zechariah also addresses the foreign nations. He proclaims judgment on them for their sinful actions, but he also includes them in his picture of the glorious future, when they will come streaming to Jerusalem to worship God.
Zechariah the Prophet
Zechariah was the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo. The latter is named in Neh 12:4, 16 as one of the heads of priestly families returning from Babylon to Judea. Thus we have in Zechariah another example (with Jeremiah and Ezekiel) of a priest serving as a prophet. He was a contemporary of Haggai (Ezr 5:1).
Date
Zechariah began his written ministry in October–November 520 BC. Two other dates are given: February 15, 519 BC (1:7) and December 7, 518 BC (7:1). The oracles of chapters 9–14 came after the completion of the temple in 516 BC. These last chapters are commonly held to be as late as 480 BC, but it is difficult to be certain.
Structure and Authorship
The book has three major parts. The first gives encouragement for the rebuilding of the temple. After an introductory admonition, it consists of a series of eight visions that relate the rebuilding of the temple to God’s overall program for Israel. The second part deals with questions about the practice of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the temple. The third, not directly related to the temple, consists of two oracles concerning the future of Israel and the nations.
Some scholars maintain that chapters 9–14 were composed by a different author (or authors) than chapters 1–8. They commonly point to differences in subject matter, style, and vocabulary as supporting evidence. By way of brief reply it should be noted: (1) Ancient Jewish and Christian tradition supports the book’s unity. (2) All existing manuscripts treat the book as a unified whole. (3) Though it is true that in part one the temple is of great concern, the whole book is truly eschatological in scope. In parts one and two, current pressing needs and questions are dealt with in the light of the grand scope of God’s purpose. This is practical eschatology. There are many other similarities in themes, such as the centrality of Jerusalem (2:4–5; 14:11) and the importance of spiritual cleansing (3:1–6; 12:10–13:6). (4) It would be unreasonable to demand that a writer maintain the same method of presentation throughout a work, especially when the concerns and needs of the people are different. When all is considered, there is no valid reason to reject the unity of the book.
Theological Themes
The scope of Zechariah’s theological and eschatological vision is among the grandest in the OT. Zechariah relates the past, present, and coming circumstances of Israel to God’s great unfolding program for his people and to the fact that the Lord (identified with the coming king) will reign supreme over a chastened and cleansed world. Some of the dominant themes are (1) the destruction of Gentile world power; (2) the return of Israel to the land; (3) the future unity of Judah and Israel; (4) the necessity for repentance and cleansing; (5) the coming exaltation of Jerusalem and its people; (6) the joining of redeemed Gentiles in worship with Israel; (7) extensive descriptions of the Messiah’s person and ministry, especially in chapters 9–14; and (8) the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
Outline
1. Call for a Return to the Lord (1:1–6)
2. The Eight Night Visions (1:7–6:8)
A. First Vision (a): Problem—Gentiles Prospering, Jerusalem Ailing (1:7–17)
B. Second Vision (b1): Gentile Oppressors Judged (1:18–21)
C. Third Vision (b2): Exiles to Leave Babylon for Jerusalem (2:1–13)
D. Fourth Vision (c1): Joshua Cleansed (3:1–10)
E. Fifth Vision (c2): Zerubbabel Empowered (4:1–14)
F. Sixth Vision (b1ʹ): Sinners in Jerusalem Judged (5:1–4)
G. Seventh Vision (b2ʹ): Sin Moved from Jerusalem to Babylon (5:5–11)
H. Eighth Vision (aʹ): Resolution—Gentiles Judged, God at Rest (6:1–8)
3. The Crowning of Joshua (6:9–15)
4. The Observance of Fasts (7:1–8:23)
A. The Question (7:1–3)
B. The Rebuke (7:4–14)
C. The Promise (8:1–23)
5. The Coming of the Messiah (9:1–14:21)
A. The First Coming and Rejection (9:1–11:17)
B. The Second Coming and Reception (12:1–14:21)