The Book of
ZECHARIAH
Author
Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Haggai. With Haggai, he was called to arouse the returned Jews to complete the task of reconstructing the temple (see Ezra 6:14). As the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, he came from one of the priestly families of the tribe of Levi. He is one of the most messianic of all the Old Testament prophets, giving distinct, verifiable references to the coming Messiah.
Date
Zechariah’s prophetic ministry began in 520 B.C., the year of Haggai’s prophetic messages. The vision of the early chapters was apparently given while the prophet was still a young man (see 2:4). Chapters 7 and 8 occur two years later in 518 B.C. The reference to Greece in 9:13 may indicate that chapters 9—14 were written after 480 B.C., when Greece replaced Persia as the great world power. The prophecies comprising the Book of Zechariah were reduced to writing between 520 and 475 B.C.
Background and Date
The exiles who returned to their homeland in 536 B.C. under the edict of Cyrus were among the poorer of the Jewish captives. Some fifty thousand people returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. Quickly they rebuilt the altar and began construction on the temple. Soon, however, apathy set in as they were beset with opposition from the neighboring Samaritans who eventually were able to get an order from the Persian government to halt construction. For about twelve years construction had been choked by discouragement and preoccupation with other pursuits. Zechariah and Haggai urged the people to return to the Lord and His purpose to restore the ruined temple. Zechariah encouraged God’s people by pointing them to a day when the Messiah would rule from a restored temple in a restored city.
Content
The Book of Zechariah begins with the impassioned word of the Lord for the people to repent and turn again to their God. The book is replete with Zechariah’s references to the word of the Lord. The prophet does not deliver his own message, but he faithfully transmits the message given to him by God. The people are called on to repent of their lethargy and complete the unfinished task.
God then assures His people of His love and care for them through a series of eight visions. The vision of the man and the horses reminds the people of God’s watchful care. The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen recalls God’s judgment, first on Judah and then on her enemies. In the vision of the man with the measuring line there is an apocalyptic glimpse of God’s beautiful, peaceful city. Joshua, the high priest, portrays cleansing from sin. The magnificent vision of the lampstand among the olive trees assures Zerubbabel that God’s purposes will be accomplished only by His Spirit. The flying scroll emits God’s pronouncement against stealing and lying. The vision of the woman in a basket signifies the holiness of God and the removal of sin. The vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth.
The visions are followed by a coronation scene in which Joshua is crowned as both king and priest. This is powerfully symbolic of the coming Messiah.
In chapters 7 and 8 God takes the occasion of a question concerning fasting to reinforce His mandate for justice and righteousness to supersede religious formalities.
Chapters 9—14 contain much eschatology (the study of the last things). Zion is restored and radiates the glory of her ruling King. Two prophetic messages emerge. The first prophecy, or “burden,” is in chapters 9—11. God will deliver His people (ch. 9), there will be a restoration of prosperity for the people of God (ch. 10), and, the Shepherd of Israel will initially be rejected, bringing great desolation (ch. 11). The second prophecy is in chapters 12—14. Again God delivers His people, and they mourn for the One they have pierced (ch. 12). A fountain is then opened to cleanse from sin and uncleanness (ch. 13). Then the Lord will reign from a restored Zion as King over all nations (ch. 14).
Personal Application
Zechariah challenges his contemporaries and he challenges us to complete the task God has given us. This entails repentance for neglecting the building up of the house of God. Under the New Covenant, we are to give ourselves to the restoration and cleansing of the temple of God individually and corporately in the church. The glory of God emanating from a restored Zion is not the result of human ingenuity but rather the renewing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Many Bible students believe the promises of a restored Zion are to apply primarily to a cleansed, invigorated church. A fountain of cleansing is opened to all who repent and look to the One who was pierced for them. William Cowper received the inspiration for the hymn “There Is a Fountain” from this beautiful truth in 13:1.
As we live in harmony with God’s purpose to restore what has lain desolate, we rest in the assurance that God sovereignly governs the affairs of Earth. The smitten Shepherd will be worshiped as King, and Israel will receive her Messiah. The task of world evangelization will be accomplished. Jesus shall reign.
Christ Revealed
Zechariah is sometimes referred to as the most messianic of all the Old Testament books. Chapters 9—14 are the most quoted section of the Prophets in the passion narratives of the Gospels. In the Revelation Zechariah is quoted more than any prophet except Ezekiel.
Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come as the Lord’s Servant the Branch (3:8), as the Man the Branch (6:12); as both King and Priest (6:13), and as the True Shepherd (11:4–11). He bears eloquent testimony to Christ’s betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12, 13), His crucifixion (12:10), His sufferings (13:7), and His Second Advent (14:4).
Two references to Christ are of profound significance. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is described in detail in 9:9, four hundred years before the event (see Matt. 21:5; Mark 11:7–10). One of the most dramatic verses of prophetic Scriptures is found in 12:10 when in the majority of manuscripts the first person is used: “Then they will look on Me whom they pierced.” Jesus Christ personally prophesied His eventual reception by the house of David.
The Holy Spirit at Work
The most often quoted Old Testament verse in reference to the work of the Holy Spirit is 4:6. Zerubbabel is comforted in the assurances 1) that the rebuilding of the temple will not be by military might or human prowess but by the ministry of the Spirit of God; 2) that the Holy Spirit will remove every obstacle that stands against the completion of God’s temple.
A sad commentary in 7:12 reminds the people of their rebellion against the words of the Lord delivered by the prophets. These words were transmitted by His Spirit.
Although the reference to ruach (spirit/Spirit) in 12:10 is translated by some as God’s disposition rather than as the Holy Spirit, others translate it as the Holy Spirit. As such it is one of the most beautiful titles for the Holy Spirit found in Scripture. God’s promise is to pour on the house of David and Jerusalem’s population “the Spirit of grace and supplication.” This immediately precedes their reception and mourning over the One they had pierced. The preparation of the heart by the Holy Spirit is always antecedent to conversion.
Outline of Zechariah
I. The call to repentance 1:1–6
II. The eight visions 1:7—6:15
A. The man and horses: God’s mercy 1:7–17
B. The four horns and four craftsmen: God’s judgment 1:18–21
C. The man with the measuring line: God’s city 2:1–13
D. The high priest: God’s cleansing 3:1–10
E. The lampstand and olive trees: God’s Spirit 4:1–14
F. The flying scroll: God’s pronouncement 5:1–4
G. The woman in a basket: God’s holiness 5:5–11
H. The four chariots: God’s sovereignty 6:1–8
III. The crowning of the high priest 6:9–15
IV. Religious ritual or real repentance? 7:1–14
V. The restoration of Zion 8:1–23
VI. The triumph of the kingdom of God 9:1—14:21
A. The first prophecy: The Messiah rejected 9:1—11:17
B. The second prophecy: The Messiah reigns 12:1—14:21
A Call to Repentance
1
1 IN the eighth month aof the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came bto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of cIddo the prophet, saying,
2 “The LORD has been very angry with your fathers.
3 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return ato Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.
4 “Do not be like your fathers, ato whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: b“Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the LORD.
5 “Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
6 Yet surely aMy words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?
“So they returned and said:
b‘Just as the LORD of hosts determined to do to us,
According to our ways and according to our deeds,
So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”
Vision of the Horses
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet:
8 I saw by night, and behold, aa man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were bhorses: red, sorrel, and white.
9 Then I said, a“My lord, what are these?” So the *angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.”
10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, a“These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.”
11 aSo they answered the Angel of the LORD, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is 1resting quietly.”
The LORD Will Comfort Zion
12 Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, “O LORD of hosts, ahow long will You not *have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry bthese seventy years?”
13 And the LORD answered the angel who talked to me, with agood and comforting words.
14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, 1“Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“I am azealous2 for Jerusalem
And for Zion with great 3zeal.
15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;
For aI was a little angry,
And they helped—but with evil intent.”
16 ‘Therefore thus says the LORD:
a“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;
My bhouse cshall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts,
“And da surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’
17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“My cities shall again 1spread out through prosperity;
aThe LORD will again *comfort Zion,
And bwill again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”
Vision of the Horns
18 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four ahorns.*
19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” So he answered me, a“These are the 1horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”
20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen.
21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” So he said, “These are the ahorns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but 1the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the *nations that blifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”
Vision of the Measuring Line
2
1 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, aa man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, a“To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”
3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him,
4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: a‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.
5 ‘For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be aa wall of fire all around her, band I will be the glory in her midst.’ ”
Future Joy of Zion and Many Nations
6 “Up, up! Flee afrom the land of the north,” says the LORD; “for I have bspread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the LORD.
7 “Up, Zion! aEscape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.”
8 For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who atouches you touches the 1apple of His eye.
9 “For surely I will ashake My hand against them, and they shall become 1spoil for their servants. Then byou will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me.
10 a“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I bwill dwell in your midst,” says the LORD.
11 a“Many nations shall be joined to the LORD bin that day, and they shall become cMy people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then dyou will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 “And the LORD will atake possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 a“Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused bfrom His holy habitation!”
Vision of the High Priest
3
1 Then he showed me aJoshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and bSatan1* standing at his right hand to oppose him.
2 And the LORD said to Satan, a“The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who bhas chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! cIs this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
3 Now Joshua was clothed with afilthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.
4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, aand I will clothe you with rich robes.”
5 And I said, “Let them put a clean aturban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.
The Coming Branch
6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will akeep My command,
Then you shall also bjudge* My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;
I will give you places to walk
Among these who cstand here.
8 ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
For they are aa1 wondrous sign;
For behold, I am bringing forth bMy Servant the cBRANCH.
9 For behold, the stone
That I have laid before Joshua:
aUpon the stone are bseven eyes.
Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’
Says the LORD of hosts,
‘And cI will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 aIn that day,’ says the LORD of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor
bUnder his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”
Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees
4
1 Now athe angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, bas a man who is wakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is aa lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, band on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps.
3 a“Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.”
4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”
5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
6 So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the LORD to aZerubbabel:
b‘Not by might nor by *power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the LORD of hosts.
7 ‘Who are you, aO great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth bthe capstone
cWith shouts of *“Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel
aHave laid the foundation of this 1temple;
His hands bshall also finish it.
Then cyou will know
That the dLORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of asmall things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The 1plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
bThey are the eyes of the LORD,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
11 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these atwo olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?”
12 And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip 1into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?”
13 Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
14 So he said, a“These are the two 1anointed ones, bwho stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”
Vision of the Flying Scroll
5
1 Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying ascroll.
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”
3 Then he said to me, “This is the acurse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.”
4 “I will send out the curse,” says the LORD of hosts;
“It shall enter the house of the athief
And the house of bthe one who swears falsely by My name.
It shall remain in the midst of his house
And consume cit, with its timber and stones.”
Vision of the Woman in a Basket
5 Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, “Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth.”
6 So I asked, “What is it?” And he said, “It is a 1basket that is going forth.” He also said, “This is their resemblance throughout the earth:
7 “Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket”;
8 then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead 1cover over its mouth.
9 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a astork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.
10 So I said to the aangel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?”
11 And he said to me, “To abuild a house for it in bthe land of 1Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”
Vision of the Four Chariots
6
1 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze.
2 With the first chariot were ared horses, with the second chariot bblack horses,
3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds.
4 Then I answered aand said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”
5 And the angel answered and said to me, a“These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their bstation before the Lord of all the earth.
6 1“The one with the black horses is going to athe north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country.”
7 Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might awalk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth.
8 And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to My aSpirit in the north country.”
The Command to Crown Joshua
9 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
10 “Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
11 “Take the silver and gold, make aan1 elaborate crown, and set it on the head of bJoshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 “Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying:
“Behold, athe Man whose name is the bBRANCH!
From His place He shall 1branch out,
cAnd He shall build the temple of the LORD;
13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD.
He ashall bear the *glory,
And shall sit and rule on His throne;
So bHe shall be a priest on His throne,
And the counsel of peace shall be between 1them both.” ’
14 “Now the 1elaborate crown shall be afor a *memorial in the temple of the LORD 2for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
15 “Even athose from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
Obedience Better than Fasting
7
1 Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,
2 when 1the people sent 2Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men, to 3the house of God, 4to pray before the LORD,
3 and to aask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in bthe fifth month and 1fast as I have done for so many years?”
4 Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you afasted and mourned in the fifth band seventh months cduring those seventy years, did you really fast dfor Me—for Me?
6 a‘When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?
7 ‘Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the aformer prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and bthe 1South and the Lowland were inhabited?’ ”
Disobedience Resulted in Captivity
8 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,
9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘Execute true justice,
Show 1mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
10 aDo not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the *poor.
bLet none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’
11 “But they refused to heed, ashrugged1 their shoulders, and bstopped2 their ears so that they could not hear.
12 “Yes, they made their ahearts like flint, brefusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. cThus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.
13 “Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so athey called out and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts.
14 “But aI scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.”
Jerusalem, Holy City of the Future
8
1 Again the word of the LORD of hosts came, saying,
2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘I am 1zealous for Zion with great 2zeal;
With great 3fervor I am zealous for her.’
3 “Thus says the LORD:
a‘I will return to Zion,
And bdwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem cshall be called the City of Truth,
dThe Mountain of the LORD of hosts,
eThe Holy Mountain.’
4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘Old men and old women shall again sit
In the streets of Jerusalem,
Each one with his staff in his hand
Because of 1great age.
5 The streets of the city
Shall be afull of boys and girls
Playing in its streets.’
6 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘If it is 1marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days,
aWill it also be marvelous in My eyes?’
Says the LORD of hosts.
7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘Behold, aI will save My people from the land of the 1east
And from the land of the 2west;
8 I will abring them back,
And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
bThey shall be My people
And I will be their God,
cIn truth and righteousness.’
9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘Let your hands be strong,
You who have been hearing in these days
These words by the mouth of bthe prophets,
Who spoke in cthe day the foundation was laid
For the house of the LORD of hosts,
That the temple might be *built.
10 For before these days
There were no awages for man nor any hire for beast;
There was no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in;
For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.
11 a‘But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts.
12 ‘Fora the 1seed shall be prosperous,
The vine shall give its fruit,
bThe ground shall give her increase,
And cthe heavens shall give their dew—
I will cause the remnant of this people
To possess all these.
13 And it shall come to pass
That just as you were aa curse among the nations,
O house of Judah and house of Israel,
So I will save you, and byou shall be a blessing.
Do not fear,
Let your hands be strong.’
14 “For thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘Just as I determined to 1punish you
When your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’
Says the LORD of hosts,
b‘And I would not relent,
15 So again in these days
I am determined to do good
To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
Do not fear.
16 These are the things you shall ado:
bSpeak each man the truth to his neighbor;
Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;
17 aLet none of you think evil in 1your heart against your neighbor;
And do not love a false oath.
For all these are things that I hate,’
Says the LORD.”
18 Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
19 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
a‘The *fast of the fourth month,
bThe fast of the fifth,
cThe fast of the seventh,
dAnd the fast of the tenth,
Shall be ejoy and gladness and cheerful *feasts
For the house of Judah.
fTherefore love *truth and peace.’
20 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘Peoples shall yet come,
Inhabitants of many cities;
21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying,
a“Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD,
And *seek the LORD of hosts.
I myself will go also.”
22 Yes, amany peoples and strong nations
Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem,
And to pray before the LORD.’
23 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men afrom every language of the nations shall bgrasp the 1sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard cthat God is with you.” ’ ”
Israel Defended Against Enemies
9
1 The 1burden of the word of the LORD Against the land of Hadrach,
And aDamascus its resting place
(For bthe eyes of men
And all the tribes of Israel
Are on the LORD);
2 Also against aHamath, which borders on it,
And against bTyre and cSidon, though they are very dwise.
3 For Tyre built herself a tower,
Heaped up silver like the dust,
And gold like the mire of the streets.
4 Behold, athe Lord will cast her out;
He will destroy bher power in the sea,
And she will be devoured by fire.
5 Ashkelon shall see it and fear;
Gaza also shall be very sorrowful;
And aEkron, for He dried up her expectation.
The king shall perish from Gaza,
And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
6 “A1 mixed race shall settle ain Ashdod,
And I will cut off the pride of the bPhilistines.
7 I will take away the blood from his mouth,
And the abominations from between his teeth.
But he who remains, even he shall be for our God,
And shall be like a leader in Judah,
And Ekron like a Jebusite.
8 aI will camp around My house
Because of the army,
Because of him who passes by and him who returns.
No more shall an oppressor pass through them,
For now I have seen with My eyes.
The Coming King
9 “Rejoice agreatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, byour King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I awill cut off the chariot from Ephraim
And the horse from Jerusalem;
The bbattle bow shall be cut off.
He shall speak peace to the nations;
His dominion shall be c‘from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.’
God Will Save His People
11 “As for you also,
Because of the *blood of your covenant,
I will set your aprisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to the stronghold,
aYou prisoners of *hope.
Even today I declare
That I will restore bdouble to you.
13 For I have bent Judah, My bow,
Fitted the bow with Ephraim,
And raised up your sons, O Zion,
Against your sons, O Greece,
And made you like the sword of a mighty man.”
14 Then the LORD will be seen over them,
And aHis arrow will go forth like lightning.
The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet,
And go bwith whirlwinds from the south.
15 The LORD of hosts will adefend them;
They shall devour and subdue with slingstones.
They shall drink and roar as if with wine;
They shall be filled with blood like 1basins,
Like the corners of the altar.
16 The LORD their God will asave them in that day,
As the flock of His people.
For bthey shall be like the 1jewels of a crown,
cLifted like a banner over His land—
17 For ahow great is 1its goodness
And how great 1its bbeauty!*
cGrain shall make the young men thrive,
And new wine the young women.
Restoration of Judah and Israel
10
1 Ask athe LORD for brain In cthe time of the 1latter rain.
The LORD will make 2flashing clouds;
He will give them showers of rain,
Grass in the field for everyone.
2 For the aidols1 speak delusion;
The diviners envision blies,
And tell false *dreams;
They ccomfort in vain.
Therefore the people wend their way like dsheep;
They are 2in trouble ebecause there is no shepherd.
3 “My anger is kindled against the ashepherds,
bAnd I will punish the 1goatherds.
For the LORD of hosts cwill visit His flock,
The house of Judah,
And dwill make them as His royal horse in the battle.
4 From him comes athe cornerstone,
From him bthe tent peg,
From him the battle bow,
From him every 1ruler together.
5 They shall be like mighty men,
Who atread down their enemies
In the mire of the streets in the battle.
They shall fight because the LORD is with them,
And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.
6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph.
aI will bring them back,
Because I bhave* mercy on them.
They shall be as though I had not cast them aside;
For I am the LORD their God,
And I cwill hear them.
7 Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man,
And their aheart shall rejoice as if with wine.
Yes, their children shall see it and be glad;
Their heart shall *rejoice in the LORD.
8 I will awhistle for them and gather them,
For I will *redeem them;
bAnd they shall increase as they once increased.
9 “Ia will 1sow* them among the peoples,
And they shall bremember Me in far countries;
They shall live, together with their children,
And they shall return.
10 aI will also bring them back from the land of Egypt,
And gather them from Assyria.
I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon,
bUntil no more room is found for them.
11 aHe shall pass through the sea with affliction,
And strike the waves of the sea:
All the depths of 1the River shall dry up.
Then bthe pride of Assyria shall be brought down,
And cthe scepter of Egypt shall depart.
12 “So I will strengthen them in the LORD,
And athey shall walk up and down in His name,”
Says the LORD.
Desolation of Israel
11
1 Open ayour doors, O Lebanon, That fire may devour your cedars.
2 Wail, O cypress, for the acedar has fallen,
Because the mighty trees are ruined.
Wail, O oaks of Bashan,
bFor the thick forest has come down.
3 There is the sound of wailing ashepherds!
For their glory is in ruins.
There is the sound of roaring lions!
For the 1pride of the Jordan is in ruins.
Prophecy of the Shepherds
4 Thus says the LORD my God, “Feed the flock for slaughter,
5 “whose owners slaughter them and afeel no *guilt; those who sell them bsay, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich’; and their shepherds do cnot pity them.
6 “For I will no longer pity the inhabitants of the land,” says the LORD. “But indeed I will give everyone into his neighbor’s hand and into the hand of his king. They shall 1attack the land, and I will not deliver them from their hand.”
7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, 1in particular athe poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I *called 2Beauty, and the other I called 3Bonds; and I fed the flock.
8 I 1dismissed the three shepherds ain one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
9 Then I said, “I will not feed you. aLet what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other’s flesh.”
10 And I took my staff, 1Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had *made with all the peoples.
11 So it was broken on that day. Thus athe1 poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the LORD.
12 Then I said to them, “If it is 1agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they aweighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
13 And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the apotter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.
14 Then I cut in two my other staff, 1Bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
15 And the LORD said to me, a“Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.
16 “For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor *heal those that are broken, nor *feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in apieces.
17 “Woea to the worthless shepherd,
Who leaves the flock!
A sword shall be against his arm
And against his right eye;
His arm shall completely wither,
And his right eye shall be totally blinded.”
The Coming Deliverance of Judah
12
1 The 1burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, awho stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and bforms the spirit of man within him:
2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem aa cup of 1drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.
3 a“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem ba very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.
4 “In that day,” says the LORD, a“I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
5 “And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the LORD of hosts, their God.’
6 “In that day I will make the governors of Judah alike a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.
7 “The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah.
8 “In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them.
9 “It shall be in that day that I will seek to adestroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Mourning for the Pierced One
10 a“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will blook on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him cas one mourns for his *only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
11 “In that day there shall be a great amourning in Jerusalem, blike the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of 1Megiddo.
12 a“And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of bNathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;
13 “the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves;
14 “all the *families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.
Idolatry Cut Off
13
1 “In that aday ba fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for cuncleanness.
2 “It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “that I will acut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause bthe prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.
3 “It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, ‘You shall anot live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.’ And his father and mother who begot him bshall thrust him through when he prophesies.
4 “And it shall be in that day that aevery prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear ba robe of coarse hair to deceive.
5 a“But he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.’
6 “And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your 1arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’
The Shepherd Savior
7 “Awake, O sword, against aMy Shepherd,
Against the Man bwho is My Companion,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
c“Strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered;
Then I will turn My hand against dthe little ones.
8 And it shall come to pass in all the land,”
Says the LORD,
“That atwo-thirds in it shall be cut off and die,
bBut one-third shall be left in it:
9 I will bring the one-third athrough the fire,
Will brefine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
cThey will call on My name,
And I will answer them.
dI will say, ‘This is My people’;
And each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’ ”
The Day of the LORD
14
1 Behold, athe day of the LORD is coming,
And your 1spoil will be divided in your midst.
2 For aI will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses 1rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
4 And in that day His feet will stand aon the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
bMaking a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.
5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the aearthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
bThus the LORD my God will come,
And call the saints with 1You.
6 It shall come to pass in that day
That there will be no light;
The 1lights will diminish.
7 It shall be one day
aWhich is known to the LORD—
Neither day nor night.
But at bevening *time it shall happen
That it will be light.
8 And in that day it shall be
That living awaters shall flow from Jerusalem,
Half of them toward 1the eastern sea
And half of them toward 2the western sea;
In both summer and winter it shall occur.
9 And the LORD shall be aKing over all the earth.
In that *day it shall be—
b“The LORD is one,”
And His *name one.
10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. 1Jerusalem shall be raised up and ainhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, band from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.
11 The people shall dwell in it;
And ano longer shall there be utter destruction,
bBut Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:
Their flesh shall 1dissolve while they stand on their feet,
Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,
And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
13 It shall come to pass in that day
That aa great panic from the LORD will be among them.
Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor,
And raise bhis hand against his neighbor’s hand;
14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem.
aAnd the wealth of all the surrounding nations
Shall be gathered together:
Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
15 aSuch also shall be the plague
On the horse and the mule,
On the camel and the donkey,
And on all the cattle that will be in those camps.
So shall this plague be.
The Nations Worship the King
16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall ago up from year to year to bworship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to *keep cthe Feast of Tabernacles.
17 aAnd it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
18 If the family of aEgypt will not come up and enter in, bthey shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
19 This shall be the 1punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
20 In that day a“HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The bpots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
21 Yes, 1every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a aCanaanite bin the house of the LORD of hosts.
1:2 God reminds His people of the judgment that came on their fathers in 586 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar defeated King Zedekiah, resulting in the destruction of the city and temple and the deportation of many Jews to Babylon.
1:3 The term, the LORD of hosts, is used 53 times in this book and refers to the truth that God is the Lord of all the armies of the universe, both spiritual and material.
1:7–17 The major message of this first vision is that God is about to act to aid the postexilic Israelites in restoring the temple and the cities. It is a message of comfort, assurance, and watchful care to a people who have been waiting a long time (these seventy years) for God to lift His judgment and again bring prosperity to His people.
1:7 The following eight visions were received on the twenty-fourth day of … the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, king of Persia. Accordingly, most modern scholarship dates the visions on February 15, 519 B.C.
1:8 If there is special significance in the type of tree or the horses’ colors, it cannot be known for certain.
1:9 My lord is a title of respect used here to address the unidentified angel who plays a major interpretative role in the visions.
1:11 The world surrounding the returning exiles was experiencing a time of relative peace, orchestrated by heavenly beings.
1:14 God is passionately protective of His covenant people. Whoever would harm the people of God “touches the apple of His eye” (see 2:8).
1:15 God had been angry with the northern kingdom of Israel and with the southern kingdom of Judah and had used Assyria and Babylon to punish them for their sins. Their assault, however, had been voluntary, motivated by their own evil intent.
1:16, 17 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
1:18–21 Some commentators believe the four horns of this second vision are the four kingdoms described in Dan. 2 and 7. Probably they should be viewed in the larger sense as any nation from the four quarters of the Earth that has scattered Israel and Judah, acting beyond their divine intention to punish Judah. This, too, then is a message of comfort.
2:1–13 The third vision is a further elaboration of 1:16. Although many of the details are ambiguous, its intent is clear: Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Zechariah’s immediate reference is obviously to the postexilic Jerusalem. However, the scope of the language here may indicate the yet future and magnificent New Jerusalem of the world to come (Rev. 21:9–27).
2:5 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
2:6, 7 Though Babylonia was east of Judah, by first conquering Assyria, it had extended its empire into the area north of Judah and had then invaded Judah from the north. In both verses, the exiles who had not yet returned were being beckoned to their homeland.
2:8–12 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
2:8 He sent Me after glory is evidently a reference to the Messiah’s being sent from God as the Lord of glory. To [touch] the apple of His eye means to stick a finger in the pupil of His eye. Whenever anyone accosts the people of God, it is actually a blasphemous assault against God Himself.
2:9 Those who plundered God’s people will be plundered by them.
2:11 This verse encourages us in the task of world evangelization. Far from being “the tribal God of the Hebrews,” as some suggest, God is the Lord over all nations. See Matt. 28:19, 20; John 10:16. That day: See note on Obad. 15.
3:1–10 The Lord Himself, not the interpreting angel, shows Zechariah this vision. This marks the fourth vision as unique among the eight. The essence of this vision is the cleansing of the priests and the land. There was religious and moral impurity among the recently returned exiles. Ezra addressed this same impurity (Ezra 9; 10).
3:1, 2 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
3:1 Satan is part of the heavenly council, speaking directly to God as an accuser. Compare his role in Job 1.
3:2 The remnant was plucked out of an unrighteous Judah and then out of Babylonian exile.
3:3–5 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
3:8 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
3:8 The cleansing of Joshua is symbolic of God’s cleansing of the people; the cleansing takes place through God’s Servant the BRANCH, a definite type of Christ (see Is. 11:1). When Christ first came to cleanse national Israel, Israel was blinded to His true identity. At His Second Advent they will receive Him as their Messiah. In the interim, Jesus Christ is cleansing His spiritual Israel, the church (see 6:12–15).
3:9 There is no unanimity among scholars regarding what the stone with seven eyes (or facets) represents. It may be another designation of the Messiah, with seven indicating perfection. See Is. 8:14; Matt. 21:42. The removal of sin in one day may refer to Calvary or the Christ’s Second Coming.
3:10 The sitting under a vine or fig tree is symbolic of peacefulness.
4:1–14 The fifth vision consists of the vision (vv. 1–5, 11–14) and two speeches (vv. 6–10) to Zerubbabel, the governor. The essence is that Zerubbabel will complete the temple project by My Spirit.
4:1–6 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
4:2 The intended representation of the lampstand is unclear; it may symbolize the people of Israel, or it may symbolize the presence of God. If the latter, the seven lamps correspond to “these seven … eyes of the LORD” (v. 10).
4:6 As governor of Judah, Zerubbabel is ultimately responsible for rebuilding the temple, but he is forbidden to trust the resources of man to accomplish the task. So today God’s holy temple, the church, must be built and sustained, not by wealth, by members, by virtue, nor by sheer strength, but by My Spirit.
4:7 When the temple is completed, all will acknowledge its beauty and realize it is not the result of human achievements, but rather, of God’s grace and more grace. O great mountain could be the opposition of the adversaries of the temple project, the discouraged group of builders, or some type of turmoil among the people. At any rate, God will see to it that it shall become a plain. The NT use of “mountain” and Zechariah’s obvious allusion to Is. 40:4 make this a future promise as well. The Messiah’s future NT reign will see the removal of many “mountains” by God’s grace.
4:9 After years of discouragement, Zerubbabel is assured that he will see the fulfillment of God’s purpose for him (see Rom. 11:29).
4:10 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
4:14 The two anointed ones (“two olive trees,” v. 3) are Joshua, representing the religious authority, and Zerubbabel, representing the civil authority. They are archetypes of the two witnesses mentioned in Rev. 11:3, 4.
5:1–4 The sixth vision of the flying scroll, said to be twenty cubits (30 feet) by ten cubits (15 feet), denounces the sins of perjury and of thievery. The size of the scroll denotes the seriousness of the matter; the fact that it is flying shows that the judgment is from God. Once thievery and perjury have infiltrated a society, it is difficult to conduct daily life without experiencing their impact, and it is extremely difficult to rid the population of such practices.
5:5–11 The seventh vision promises the removal of Wickedness from the land, symbolized by a woman trying to escape in a basket but forced back into it. The basket is finally removed altogether from the land.
5:7–9 Lest too much be made of the fact that Wickedness is personified as a woman, it should be noted that two women are the divine agents chosen to remove it from the land.
5:11 Wickedness is consigned to the land of Shinar (Babylon). By the time of this prophecy, Babylon had become the world focus of idolatry and wickedness. Symbolically, then, wickedness is taken from Judah to Babylon. The exiled Jews return from Babylon to Judah, and wickedness is to be banished from Judah to Babylon.
6:1–8 The final vision of the four chariots depicts God’s sovereign control over the Earth. Some commentators see a parallel between the four horses in this passage and the four horses of Rev. 6. However, apart from having similar colors, their connection is not clear. Furthermore, there is no apparent significance to the various colors. Similarly, the identity of the south country and north country are symbolic of governments of all the earth, rather than types of particular modern nations. God’s Spirit is seen as resting in the north country because at that time Babylon was Judah’s greatest potential enemy.
6:1 The number four represents God’s control of the four quarters of the Earth. Chariots were not used for transportation but for war. This vision, therefore, deals with God’s sovereign judgment over the Earth. The two mountains may be the two key locations of Jerusalem: Mt. Zion and the Mount of Olives.
6:5 The imagery is changed from chariots to spirits, or winds. Having already referred to the four winds of heaven in 1:10, these winds may again refer to the four points of the Earth. The Holy Spirit scans the entire Earth to fulfill God’s purposes.
6:8 The Holy Spirit is the giver of rest. This difficult passage pictures returning exiles not only receiving restoration but also rest. Some translations see the return of the exiles giving rest to the Spirit while others see the Spirit giving the exiles rest. The text would allow either idea, while arriving at the same basic conclusion. The idea of the passage seems to be that the returning people of God have appeased the wrath of the Lord (thus giving the Spirit rest), and the result is that the Spirit now encourages them by granting rest. This rest, Hebrew nu’ach, refers to the comforting, settling, consolation found only in the presence of the living God accessed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Is. 63:11, 14).
6:10 These four men are otherwise unknown. Zephaniah: Not the prophet.
6:11 The elaborate crown is plural in Hebrew. No high priest in the OT was ever crowned king. While he was allowed to wear a turban, he was forbidden to wear a crown. Thus Joshua clearly prefigures the One who will wear the crown, filling both offices of king and priest. The many crowns are probably reflected in Rev. 19:12 where “on His head were many crowns.”
6:12, 13 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
6:13 The counsel of peace is the wisdom that results in reconciliation and inner tranquility. The Messiah will wisely and harmoniously execute them both, the offices of king and priest.
6:14 Hen may be another name for Josiah (v. 10).
6:15 Those from afar who come and build the [spiritual] temple are believing Gentiles who submit to the Messiah.
7:1 The date for this two-chapter collection of sermons is almost two years after the date given in 1:7. The sermons stress certain themes from the visions—the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, obedience, and participation of the nations in God’s future reign.
7:2 The members of this delegation are otherwise unknown.
7:3–7 The fast in the fifth month likely commemorated the destruction of the temple in 587 B.C. Zechariah used their theological question to remind Judah that the real matter behind fasting is motive and attitude.
7:9, 10 Clear, specific instructions are given to ensure the favor of God.
7:11, 14 Refusing to hear the Word of the Lord, judgment was swift as God scattered them … among all the nations.
7:12 The Word of the Lord came by His Spirit through His messengers; yet, it was rejected by His people. Here is a tragic and challenging picture of hindsight, by which we realize times when the Holy Spirit has attempted to speak and lead us; yet we, like Israel, often refuse to hear.
8:1–17 The God who is jealous for Zion promises to return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. The broad scope with which Zechariah speaks, together with the similarities to Ezek. 43, categorize these words as eschatological. Some see this passage as partially fulfilled in God’s building of a new people in the church age, their focus being God’s perfected people enjoying perfected worship in the New Jerusalem of Rev. 21. See notes on 2:1–13 and Obad. 15.
8:7 God’s people will be brought back from all directions.
8:9 These prophets would have included Haggai and Zechariah.
8:10–13 God is about to totally reverse their negative conditions.
8:14, 15 The days of judgment now past, God is determined to do good to Jerusalem. Consequently, His people are admonished not to be afraid to approach Him with intimate devotion.
8:16 A restoration of fellowship with God begins by repentant attitudes producing godly actions toward our neighbors.
8:19 Each fast commemorated a different major event in Babylon’s conquering of Jerusalem.
8:22, 23 God’s predisposition of grace toward Zion elicits a global attraction to the God of Israel as many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD.
9:1–6 Various strongholds of Judah’s enemies are marked for God’s judgment, perhaps at the hand of Alexander the Great.
9:1 The message of judgment is difficult to bear and is therefore described as a burden. Zechariah now changes his emphasis. The historical setting of chs. 9—14 is very difficult to identify. It is clearly apocalyptic and messianic, referring in symbolic language to events associated with the promised Messiah. Although the NT sheds great light on much of its fulfillment, this section is difficult. Bible students would do well to be cautious in drawing interpretive conclusions. Dogmatism in prophetic passages is generally unwise where the obvious interpretation is not evident.
9:6, 7 The pride and abominable spiritual practices of the Philistines will be judged, but a remnant of this enemy of God’s people will become God’s people.
9:8 Alexander the Great did not destroy the temple on his way to Egypt or on his return from Egypt.
9:9, 10 We do not know what, if any, specific historical reference Zechariah would have associated with this prophecy. What is clear is that Matthew refers it to Christ’s Triumphal Entry (Matt. 21:5). This clear prediction of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem was delivered some 400 years before its fulfillment.
9:9 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
9:10 Instruments of war will be put to an end for northern Israel (Ephraim) and for southern Judah (Jerusalem). The dominion of the Lord will eventually reach to the ends of the earth as many people experience God’s covenant. The Great Commission, given by Jesus in Matt. 28:19, 20, contributes to the fulfillment of this prophecy.
9:11–17 You refers to God’s people. They are to return to their homeland from captivity, for God is going to punish their enemies.
9:16 That day: See note on Obad. 15.
10:1 Zechariah reminds Judah that God controls the rain, even in the time of the latter rain (spring), when one assumes there will be sufficient rain. Spiritually applied, only God can send sufficient blessings and power to enable one to mature in Christ. We are to ask for His blessing and not merely to assume it.
10:3–12 This deals with God’s indictment against past and present leaders of Judah and the future role of the Messiah as a Good Shepherd, including the restorative effect this will have. Again, this is best seen as messianic and apocalyptic.
10:3 The leadership, who should be shepherds to the people, more accurately resemble goatherds, an uncomplimentary term that can mean “male goats.”
10:4 The Messiah is the cornerstone, the tent peg on which humankind’s destiny hinges, the battle bow that conquers, and the ruler over all.
10:5 They refers back to the house of Judah (v. 3).
10:9 Though the covenant people be sown among the nations, God promises that they shall return. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in Zechariah’s day in the return of the exiled Jews from Babylon. The prophecy will have a final fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, where not only Jews but all nations come to worship God.
10:11 The victory over their enemies that is being described in vv. 5–12 is reminiscent of the historic victory over Egypt that involved the parting and drying of waterways.
11:1–3 It is uncertain whether this poem is to be understood figuratively or literally. If literally, then the reference may be to Rome’s conquering of these areas.
11:4–17 The main lesson is that if people will not listen to a good leader, they will surely suffer under numerous evil ones (the three shepherds). Interpretation of the details of this passage vary widely.
11:4, 5 As was oftentimes the case in the history of God’s people, leaders here are not caring for the people.
11:7, 10, 14 The shepherd uses two staffs to do his work (see Ps. 23:4): Beauty, representing God’s gracious actions to protect His flock, and Bonds, indicating His desire to bring unity among them.
11:7 This seems to refer to Zechariah who is evidently acting out this object lesson about a good shepherd.
11:8 The identity of the three unfit shepherds and the meaning of the one month are both uncertain.
11:10, 11 The covenant seems to have been one of protection from enemies.
11:12–14 The value set on this good shepherd’s work was the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave (Ex. 21:32) and the price of God’s Son (see Matt. 27:3–9). The throwing seems to be some type of derogatory act, perhaps further indicting the small sum.
12:1–9 This passage describes God’s judgment against the nations that attack Jerusalem. Both Jerusalem and Israel represent all God’s people; all the surrounding peoples are the physical and spiritual enemies of His people. God’s manner of judgment (I will strike) will take many forms, as exemplified in the totality of biblical history. Armageddon (Rev. 16:16) may be its large-scale climax.
12:9 That day: See note on Obad. 15.
12:10–14 These verses depict great future mourning among God’s people for piercing God Himself (Me whom they pierced). The allusion is obviously to Is. 53, referring to a future event during the time of the Messiah and coinciding with many truths of Ezek. 36. John applies it directly to Jesus Christ at the time of His crucifixion (John 19:37).
12:10 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
12:10 The outpouring of the Spirit of grace and supplication results in conviction and repentance. See John 16:8–11. Both “grace ” and “supplication” have the same Hebrew root, meaning “to become amenable to someone.” The Holy Spirit breaks through any hostility to the Messiah, making the inhabitants of Jerusalem receptive to Him.
12:11 This may refer to the great mourning that followed King Josiah’s death in the Valley of Megiddo (2 Chr. 35:22–25). He was the last righteous king in the Davidic line.
12:12–14 With Nathan being the son of David and with Shimei being the grandson of Levi, both the royal and the priestly families are used to represent all families.
13:1 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of Zech.
13:1 The gushing fountain is a beautiful type of cleansing through union with Christ. No longer forsaking the fountain of living waters (see Jer. 2:13), the recipients are washed from sin (missing the mark) and uncleanness (ritual and sexual impurity).
13:2 God’s cleansing during the age of the Messiah will be radical. The unclean spirit is a rare OT reference to God’s decisive dealing with demons. The prophets are false prophets who continue to speak during the days of the Messiah.
13:6 A false prophet would want to explain away the self-mutilation wounds that would expose his pagan practices.
13:7 This indicates God’s sovereign control over the striking of My Shepherd, My Companion, the Messiah, which results in the sheep being scattered. Jesus applied this to Himself in Matt. 26:31.
13:8, 9 After the Jew’s rejection of their Messiah, Jerusalem was overrun yet again in A.D. 70 by the Roman Empire, resulting in this judgment and refining of the people.
14:1–5 The day of the LORD (see note on Obad. 15) refers to end times. It coincides with many of the events in Rev. The nature of the language, like that in Rev., is apocalyptic (highly symbolic, prophetic language). This makes it very difficult to determine what is to take place literally and what is symbolic, happening only in type or in the spiritual realm. What the NT (Acts 1:11) does make clear is the literal return of the Messiah, depicted here in v. 4.
14:4 When the Lord returns, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, from which He ascended into heaven (see Acts 1:9–12).
