The Strand Study Bible

ZECHARIAH

Author: Zechariah Theme: The Promise of CHRIST’S Return and Reign Book’s Main Characters: Zechariah, Zerubbabel, and the Jewish Remnant

About the Author: Zechariah, whose name means “ Jehovah remembers,” was the son of Berechiah, who was the son of Iddo (Neh 12:4,16) and a prophet to the remnant (or, post captivity Jews) in Jerusalem sixteen years after the captivity ended (in 536 BC - Ezra 1:1-3). He began his ministry in November of 520 BC, during the reign of Darius I (king of Medo-Persia), and was of priestly descent (Neh 12:12-16). Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai (Ezra 5:1-2). About the Book: Zechariah, like Haggai, was called upon by God to warn and motivate Zerubbabel, Joshua, the high priest, and the Jewish people to finish rebuilding the Temple, whose completion had been delayed for fifteen years. He also exhorted them not to pattern their lives after those who already failed to do the will of God (1:2-6). Zechariah’s ministry was a prophetic one, which included a series of eight visions. Like Isaiah, his book is loaded with prophecies concerning CHRIST , Israel, and the nations. The book of Zechariah covers 2 years (from 520-518 BC). Helpful Background: Both Zechariah and Haggai were among the 49,897 Jews to return to Jerusalem after the captivity ended in 536 BC (Ezra 1-3). Immediately after their arrival in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel, the governor, and the returning Jews began rebuilding the Temple that had been destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar back in 586 BC. Within a year, because of persecution, the work had stopped. Only the foundation was finished. For the next 15 years the Temple would lie incomplete. Notes of Interest: 1. Zechariah is quoted in the NT 6 times ( Mt 21:5/Jn 12:15 & Mt 27:9,10 & Jn 19:37 & Mt 26:31/Mk 14:27 ) 2. Prophecies are referred to 124 times in Zechariah . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 63 of those 124 times. 4. CHRIST appeared in a preincarnate physical form 6 different times in Zechariah (Zech 1:7-19, 2:1-3, 3:1-6, 4:1-5, 5:5-10, 6:4-5). 5. There are 2 inset maps used in the book of Zechariah . They are numbered chronologically (#263-264). Outline of Zechariah : 1. Zechariah’s eight prophetic visions (Zech 1-6) 2. Israel’s prophetic future (Zech 7-14) Zechariah 1 Warning! Learn from the mistakes and past failures of your fathers 1. or, “November” 2. or, “Darius I the Great” (Note - Darius I reigned your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. 5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

from 522-486 BC) (See - Ezra 4:24 & Haggai 1:1) 3. Neh 12:4,16 4. Mal 3:7 & Jms 4:8 5. such as, “Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, etc.” - II Chro 36:15,16 6. or, “come true” 7. Deut 28:15-68 8. or, “February” 9. or, “Christ” - Gen 32:24-30 & Josh 5:13-15 & Jud 13:11-22 & Dan 3:25 & Zech 2:1 & 4:1

6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not 6 take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, 7 Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. READ NEXT - Haggai 2:10-23 7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the 8 eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 8 I saw by night, and behold a 9 MAN First vision - (The red horse and it’s RIDER) Date Written - Feb 24th, 520 BC/AM 3480

(Note - This portion of Zechariah’s prophecy took place in the 2nd year of King Darius I’s reign) Date Written - Nov 520 BC/AM 3480

1 In the 1 eighthmonth, in the second year of 2 Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of 3 Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. 3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD OF HOSTS ; 4 Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. 4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the 5 former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD OF HOSTS ; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from

1:1 Zechariah’s name means “ Jehovah remembers.” Zechariah is referred to 3 times in the NT (Mt 2:23 & 21:4 & 27:9). 1:3 The phrase ( say thou unto them ) means that Zechariah is speaking for the LORD OF HOSTS here. This is why some of the “words” of the LORD OF HOSTS are not in blue within the book of Zechariah. 1:4 THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Tis always easier to learn from someone else’s mistakes ( Be ye not as your fathers ) than from your own 1:6 Whenever you repeat the past ( Be ye not as your fathers - vs 4), it’s called your future ( so hath he dealt with us ). 1:8 In order to encourage the people of God to finish the rebuilding of the Temple (which pictured CHRIST’S great work of redemption - Mt 28:18-20, Jn 1:29 and Rev 5:5-12), Zechariah was given eight different visions ( I saw ) during the night. Visions (open revelations from God - Prov 29:18 ) are God’s attempt to gain our attention with truths that will affect us (and those around us) for all eternity. If we will not hear His Word, we cannot know what He “envisions” for us ( Ezk 1:1 b ). 1430