Minor Prophets · Old Testament
Zechariah
c. 520–480 BC
- Section
- Minor Prophets · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 520–480 BC
- Written
- c. 480 BC critical view: chs. 1–8 c. 520 BC; chs. 9–14 later
- Author
- Zechariah son of Berechiah critical view: Zechariah, with later authors for chapters 9–14
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.
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
- The high priest Joshua is cleansed and re-clothed, picturing the forgiveness of sin
- "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit" — encouragement to Zerubbabel
- God promises to return to Zion and make Jerusalem a joy to the nations
Oracles of the Coming King (Zechariah 9–14)
- The coming King will enter Jerusalem lowly, riding on a donkey
- The rejected good shepherd is valued and sold for thirty pieces of silver
- The people will look on "him whom they have pierced" and mourn
- The LORD will come and reign as king over all the earth
“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.”