Book introduction
The book of Zechariah
Zechariah prophesied with Haggai to the returned exiles. Night visions encourage them to rebuild, and the later chapters look ahead to a humble king riding on a donkey, a shepherd struck down, and the LORD as king over all the earth.
Who wrote Zechariah?
Zechariah son of Berekiah, a priest and prophet. Many scholars think chapters 9–14 come from a later writer or writers, because they change style and setting.
When was it written?
Chapters 1–8 are dated 520–518 BC. Chapters 9–14 are undated.
Main themes
- Return to me, and I will return to you
- The book opens with God’s invitation.
- Not by might
- “Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit.”
- The coming king
- The Gospels quote 9:9 at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Outline of Zechariah
Key verses
Then he said to me, This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit, says Yahweh of Armies.
These are the things you must do: Speak the truth to one another. In your city gates, judge with truth and with justice that brings peace.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Cry out for joy, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and has been given victory; he is humble, and he rides on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a female donkey.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Read 1:1–6, then chapter 4, then 9:9–10.
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