# 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.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/about
Section: Minor prophets · 14 chapters

## 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

- Chapters 1–6: [Eight night visions](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/1)
- Chapters 7–8: [Fasting, justice, and future joy](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/7)
- Chapters 9–11: [The coming king and the rejected shepherd](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/9)
- Chapters 12–14: [The LORD’s day and his reign](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/12)

## Key verses

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

> 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.
> — [Zechariah 4:6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/4#6)

> 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.
> — [Zechariah 8:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/8#16)

> 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.
> — [Zechariah 9:9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/9#9)

## Where to start

Read 1:1–6, then chapter 4, then 9:9–10. [Read Zechariah 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/1.md)

Read the whole book: https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/1.md
Ask about it: https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md