The first eight chapters address the conditions in jerusalem during zechariahs lifetime when the prophet received eight symbolic visions. A contemporary of haggai the prophet, zerubbabel, and joshua, the high. The book of zechariah was likely written in two primary segments, between 520 and 470 b. In the first part we find dates locating the prophecies in the persian era late sixth century b. Zechariah remembered of jehovah was the second postexile prophet and a contemporary of haggai. The universal tradition of both jews and christians endorses the prophet zechariah as author. Zechariah also called zacharias or zachariah was a priest from the tribe of levi who served the lord during the reign of herod in judea.
Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of zechariah in the bible king james version. Book of zechariah, the 11th of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, collected in the jewish canon in one book, the twelve. Watch our overview video on the book of zechariah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Eight dream visions god spoke to his people through dream visions with bizarre images. John the baptists father luke tells us zechariah was chosen by lot that morning to offer incense in the holy place, the temples inner chamber where only priests were allowed. The book of zechariah is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre. The prophet zechariah wrote chapters 18 approximately 520518 b. The prophecies in the book of zechariah cover about two years time, but it appears that zechariah continued to have a ministry among the people until the temple was rebuilt, even though no prophecies were recorded from that time period ezra 5. The book of zechariah was written during the effort of the ancient people of judah to rebuild the temple, which had been destroyed by the babylonians. As zechariah was praying, the angel gabriel appeared at the right side of the altar.
But to do this, a satisfactory method of analysis must be found. The next questions we have to decide are whether chapters 914 offer any evidence of being by zechariah, the author of chapters 18, and if not to what other postexilic date they may be assigned. Haggai is very literal, directly addressing the economic decline and the tangible solution building the temple. Hubbard, a historic and landmark series, one which is synonymous with superior scholarship and excellence exegesis, this volume continues this legacy. The book of zechariah, the 11th book of the twelve minor prophets, dates from the same period as that of haggaiabout 520 bce. Teaching young children the message of hope in the book of. Most modern scholars believe the book of zechariah was written by at least two different people. This summary of the book of zechariah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zechariah. The historical situation underlying the book of zechariah is identical with that which gave rise to the oracles of haggai. The book of zechariah emerged from the immediate postexilic period, and is therefore a valuable source of information about a phase of jewish history which is deficient in extrabiblical documentation. The dates mentioned in the book confirm that he was a contemporary of haggai zechariah 1.
Zechariah emphasized that god has used his prophets to teach, warn and correct his people. The last six chapters do not make clear references to known historical events like the completion of the temple. Some modern interpreters believe that what we know as. New testament overview general survey of the new testament. The book of zechariah the 6 th century bc prophet zechariah received a series of visions and prophecies after the covenant peoples return from exile. A harmony of the life of jesus four gospel accounts in harmony. Both haggai and zechariah encouraged the returned exiles from babylon to rebuild the jerusalem temple, particularly their leaders joshua the high priest and prince zerubbabel, the governor of judah and the.
The traditional view is that this man was a sixthcentury contemporary of haggai and that the entire book was written by him. Gives background to the historical context of zechariah, particularly places and customs referred to in the book. The compositional history of the book of zechariah 1 2. Zechariah is the longest book of the minor prophets. Zechariah is a commonly used name in the old testament and means the lord remembers, a meaning that contributes to the hope of the messiahs first and second coming prophesied in zechariahs book. The ultimate hope for us all was predicted by zechariah this book has more predictions of christ than any of the other minor prophets. Best commentaries and books on zechariah logos bible.
Book of zechariah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. The book itself tells us only that his grandfather was iddo, a priest who returned with zerubbabel from babylon. The book of zechariah challenges gods people to remain. Zechariah was one of three prophets, along with haggai and later malachi, who ministered to the exiles returning from babylon to jerusalem. Interesting facts about zechariah barnes bible charts meaning. Thus the author begins by drawing up suitable literary criteria that. The book of the twelve prophets was originally on one parchment roll because of the brevity of the text, and together formed one book of the 24 books of hebrew scripture. It is a postexilic book, meaning it was written after post the return from captivity exile in babylon.
The prophets zechariah and haggai wrote about the year 520 bc during the restoration of jerusalem and judah. Zechariah has been called the prophet with the soul of an artist and the eye of a seer h. What is the historical background of the book of zechariah. Because of his family lineage, zechariah was a priest in addition to a prophet. Zechariah intro to zechariah biblica the international bible society. However, we do know that zechariah lived in jerusalem soon after the return of the jews from their exile in babylon. Book of zechariah, also spelled zacharias, the 11th of 12 old testament books that bear the names of. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 b. Book of zechariah simple english wikipedia, the free. Some students of scripture believe that the zechariah to whom jesus referred matt.
In a prophetic vision that is broader than any of the other minor prophets god gives prophecies that. Discover the basics of the book of zechariah with the esv study bible from crossway, video from the bible project, audio from mark dever, and more. The ablest english survey of the critical problems of. The book of zechariah is a book of the bible found in the old testament and the jewish tanakh thought to be written by the prophet zechariah. Though the book contains 14 chapters, only the first eight are oracles of the prophet. The book of zechariah new international commentary on the. Overview of the book of zechariah reformed answers to. Baldwin writes, even the tiny fragment of the greek manuscript found at qumran, which includes the end of chapter 8 and the beginning of chapter 9, shows no gap or spacing whatsoever to suggest a break between the two parts. Zechariah 12 king james version books of the bible. The book of zechariah recalls the nations past history, for the purpose of presenting a solemn warning to the present generation it details eight visions 1.
History old testament overview general survey of the old testament. Zechariah is the eleventh of the twelve prophets in the book of the twelve in hebrew scripture. Jews had returned 18 years before zechariahs appearance to lay the foundation of the temple, but then the work had stopped. Zechariah was a levite who was born in babylon neh 12. Zechariah, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. Zechariah, a young man, especially when compared to his contemporary haggai, came alongside the older prophet to deliver messages from the lord to the. His name, common to more than 29 old testament men, means the lord remembers. And i will pour upon the house of david, and upon the inhabitants of jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications.
Only chapters 18 contain the prophecies of zechariah. Zechariah bible book with full chapters king james version. The old testament gives us no indication about how zechariah might have died. Constables notes on zechariah 2020 edition appears to be how the prophets life ended. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Discusses the history of research on authorship and date of zechariah 914. Zechariahs prophecies took place during the reign of darius the great, and were contemporary with.
The book of zechariah falls naturally into two parts. Zechariah 18, sometimes referred to as first zechariah, was written in the 6th century bc. Zechariahs prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the jewish restoration from babylonian captivity. Before the temple completed, and then wrote chapters 914 approximately 480 b. The book of zechariah begins with a challenge for gods people to turn back to him, unlike their ancestors who rebelled, disobeyed and were exiled. The critical message of zechariah is sometimes called the apocalypse of the old testament. Hence zechariah was prophet and priest at the same time as were jeremiah and ezekiel. The hebrew word zechariah or zachariah means god remembers.
The book of zechariah is the most recent volume of the new international commentary on the old testament, edited by robert l. After 70 years of captivity, persian king cyrus, issued a decree in 538 b. Original bible history online visit the original site 19992016. Two months prior to zechariah, the prophet haggai had begun to. The books of ezra and nehemiah are also key literary sources on the restoration. It must be admitted that in language and in style the two parts of. Zechariahs wife, elizabeth, was also a descendant of aaron, and the bible says they were godly, devout people luke 1. Zechariah these are all of the chapters of the book of zechariah. Darius the great reigned over the persian empire in the time of zechariah. Nearly 20 years after returning from the babylonian exile in the time of cyrus 538 b. In this book, zechariahs visions foster hope in the future promise of. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Zechariah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The first is to elucidate the structure of the book of zechariah.
In this book, zechariahs visions foster hope in the future promise of the messianic kingdom and challenge israel after the exile to remain faithful to. He was the son of berekiah and the grandson of iddo the priest zech 1. In addition the canonical history of the book of zechariah has always included all fourteen chapters in the book. Zechariahs grandfather returned from babylon, his young grandson in tow, with the first group of israelites allowed back, in 538 bc under the decree of cyrus, king of persia. When the bible begins their story, they are both old and. Haggai focuses explicitly on the present temple work, while zechariah deals with the larger picture of israels history and future. The book as a whole also teaches the sovereignty of god in history, over people and nationspast. Introduction from the niv study bible go to zechariah.
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