Minor Prophets · Old Testament

Zechariah

c. 520–480 BC

Section: Minor Prophets · Old Testament
Events span: c. 520–480 BC
Written: c. 480 BC
Author: Zechariah son of Berechiah

A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encourages the temple builders through eight night visions and looks far ahead to the Messiah. He foretells the coming King riding on a donkey, the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of silver, and the pierced one, vivid pointers to Christ.

Historical setting: Returned exiles rebuilding the Second Temple under Persian rule, urged on toward restoration.

Key themes

Rebuilding the temple
Visions of restoration
The coming Messianic King
Cleansing from sin
God's future reign

Key events

Night Visions & the Temple (Zechariah 1–8)

Zechariah calls the people to return to the LORD and receives eight night visions of restoration Zech 1–6520–519 BC
The high priest Joshua is cleansed and re-clothed, picturing the forgiveness of sin Zech 3519 BC
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit" — encouragement to Zerubbabel Zech 4519 BC
God promises to return to Zion and make Jerusalem a joy to the nations Zech 8518 BC

Oracles of the Coming King (Zechariah 9–14)

The coming King will enter Jerusalem lowly, riding on a donkey Zech 9c. 480 BC
The rejected good shepherd is valued and sold for thirty pieces of silver Zech 11c. 480 BC
The people will look on the one they have pierced and mourn for him Zech 12c. 480 BC
The LORD will come and reign as king over all the earth Zech 14c. 480 BC

Key lessons

God’s work is done “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit”; his purposes advance by his Spirit, not by human strength. Zech 4:6
God cleanses sinners in order to use them; the filthy high priest Joshua is re-clothed in clean garments, a picture of grace removing guilt. Zech 3:3–5
Centuries in advance, Zechariah sketches the Messiah in startling detail: the humble King on a donkey, the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of silver, the pierced one they mourn. Zech 9:9; 11:12–13; 12:10

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”

Zechariah 9:9 KJV

Critical scholarship view

Where mainstream critical scholarship dates or attributes this book differently from the traditional view above.

Written: chs. 1–8 c. 520 BC; chs. 9–14 later
Author: Zechariah, with later authors for chapters 9–14