13'0 Introduction

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13.0 Introduction Studies in Zechariah

• Studies in the Scroll of the Twelve

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1. Zechariah Introduction

• 1. Length Longest of the Minor Prophets (211
  verses, while Hos. has 197)
• 2. Obscurity "At the beginning of the fifth
  century AD Jerome called Zechariah the obscurest
  and longest of the twelve prophets. In the Middle
  Ages two Jewish scholars called attention to the
  obscurity of this book. Arabanel (d. 1508) said,
  The prophecies of Zechariah are so obscure that
  no expositors however skilled have found their
  hands in the explanation and Solomon ben Isaac,
  better known as Rashi (1040-1105) said, 'The
  prophecy is very abstruse, for it contains
  visions resembling dreams which want
  interpreting and we shall never be able to
  discover the true interpretation until the
  teacher of righteousness arrives.'" Smith, R. L.
  Word Biblical Commentary Micah-Malachi, 166-167

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2. Zechariah as a Prophet

• 1. The name Zechariah probably means, 'Yahweh
  remembers.' It is a common name in the OT,
  especially among the priests and Levites in the
  post-exilic period. Smith, ibid., 167
• 2. Statements in Neh 12.4, 10, 16, suggest that
  Zechariah was a priest or a Levite and that he
  became the head of the house of Iddo in his later
  life. However it is not certain that the
  Zechariah in Neh 12 is the same as the prophet in
  the book of Zechariah. Yet it seems evident that
  Zechariah the prophet, like Ezekiel, was from a
  priestly family and was also called to be a
  prophet. Smith, ibid., 168

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3. Multiple Authorship Arguments

• 1. Preexilic authorship for chaps. 9-14. This
  may have originated because 11.12f. is quoted in
  Matt. 27.9f. as a prophecy of Jeremiah. The
  mention of Ephraim, of Assyria and Egypt as its
  enemies, of Aramean city-states and Philistine
  cities all suggest a preexilic date. However, the
  evidence is not uniform, part dating from before
  Tiglath-Pilesers conquest of the Aramean states
  and portions of Israel, part suggesting a time
  just before the fall of Samaria, and part
  referring only to Judah and seeming to look back
  on Josiahs death. As a result, scholarship has
  become fragmented, with some dating chaps. 9-11
  and 13.7-9 before 721 and the balance of chaps.
  12-14 before 586. Although B. Otzen defends the
  preexilic date of chaps. 9-10, the preexilic
  theory has little support today. LaSor, Hubbard
  Bush, ibid., 492

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3. Multiple Authorship Arguments

• 2. Post-Zechariah authorship of chaps 9-14. Some
  assign these chapters to a single author, but
  against the view is fragmented. Eissfeldt prefers
  the year 332, if only because the allusion is to
  be found here (v. 3) to the rampart heaped up by
  Tyre, and more precisely to the period of this
  year when Alexander made preparations for the
  siege of Tyre. K. Marti and E. Sellin identify
  the shepherds of 9.8 as Lysimachus, Jason, and
  Menelaus or Simon, Menelaus, and Lysimachus,
  thus bringing the date down to Maccabean times
  (ca. 160). Further, 11.4-17 is taken as
  reflecting events of the Maccabean war the man
  who is killed in 12.10-14 is Onias III (murdered
  in 170 Sellin) or Simon (134 B. Duhm). LaSor,
  Hubbard Bush, ibid., 492

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3. Multiple Authorship Arguments

• 3. Two or more authors for chaps. 9-14, rather
  than a single Deutero-Zechariah. R. C. Dentan
  dates 9.1-12 to the siege of Tyre by Alexander
  (332) vv. 13-17 in the period of the Diadochoi
  or Ptolemaic rule, 10.3-12 in the period when the
  Ptolemies ruled over Palestine. He rejects a
  Maccabean date based on the mention of the Book
  of the Twelve in Ben Sirachs apocryphal book of
  Ecclesiasticus (49.10 ca. 190) It is hardly
  possible that any extensive additions could have
  been made to this collection after the book had
  attained what was evidently canonical status.
  LaSor, Hubbard Bush, ibid., 492

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4. Single Authorship Arguments

• 1. Among the various theories in defense of
  single authorship, Archer holds to a date between
  480 and 470 for chaps. 9-14, and accounts for the
  differences in style to the three or four decades
  that separate the two parts of the prophecy.
  Particularly strong is his argument that the
  language throughout is more in keeping with that
  of Haggai and Malachi than with the
  second-century writings from Qumran, and
  remarkably free of Aramaisms. S. Bullough
  maintains that the vision or dream writing of
  the first part, with all its hopes in a new era,
  is the work of a young man (of about thirty) in
  530-518), while the more forbidding and remotely
  hopeful prophecies of the second part are the
  work of an older man (of about seventy), when the
  future of the Persian Empire had become less
  secure. He explains the difference in style and
  treatment between the two parts by the difference
  in the authors age and the changing political
  circumstances. LaSor, Hubbard Bush, ibid.,
  493

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 1. Theology of the Second Temple
• 1.1 ". . . it is significant that each of the
  passages in question centers on the construction
  of the Temple (416 615 214-16). This is also
  central to the night vision Zechariahs vocation
  is to publish the news that Yahweh has returned
  to build his house in Jerusalem (16). Further
  corroboration can be found in the role tradition
  ascribes to Zechariah he and Haggai were
  sustainers of the Temples builders (Ezra
  51-3). Thus the oracular material associated
  with Zechariahs vision, together with what
  little is known of its background, establishes a
  reasonable presupposition that the composition as
  a whole deals with the foundation of the Second
  Temple." Halpern, The Ritual Background of
  Zechariahs Temple Song, CBQ, 40, 1978, p. 168-9

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 1.2 "Zechariahs night vision . . . rehearses in
  a mundane framework the ritual of Temple
  reconstruction, and, in a cosmic or visionary
  framework, extends and elaborates upon this
  rehearsal." Halpern, ibid., 180

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 2. Divine Warrior Combat-Cycle
• "Zechariahs night vision, then, assumes the form
  of the combat-cycle. It begins with angels
  pleading for the oppressed and penitent
  Israelites (18-12). Yahweh promises rescue
  (112-17) and dispatches two expeditions, an
  angelic vanguard, as harbingers of his arrival
  (21-9). He calls his people to him (210-11)
  before he spoils the foe (212-13), which will
  lead to his enthronement (214-16). In council,
  he invests Joshua (31-7) and sends Zerubbabel
  against the foe (38). Zerubbabel reduces the
  unassailable mountain (46b-7), earning kingship
  (48-10a). Yahweh establishes the cosmic,
  astrological order (39-10 41-6a, 10b-14),
  executes judgment (55-11 perhaps 61-8). The
  diarchs are enthroned (69-13), and a palace for
  Yahweh is erected (615). The pattern is that of
  the Divine Warrior, a common Semitic legacy,
  refracted through the lens of Israelite culture
  and history." Halpern, ibid., 189

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 3. A Theology of Restoration
• 3.1 "Zechariahs visions comprise the doing of
  theology. In them he is explaining why it is and
  how it is that Yahweh will right earlier
  iniquity why it is that Yahweh will be present
  in Jerusalem how it is that the communitys
  leadership will be organized how it is that the
  problem of human error will be addressed and how
  it is that the contamination of earlier sin and
  unclean existence will be expunged." Petersen,
  Zechariahs Visions A Theological Perspective,
  VT, XXXIV, 2 (1984), 200

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 3.2 "What Zechariah reports in these visions is
  initial restoration within the cosmic order. Once
  Yahweh had decided to act beneficently toward
  what was now Judah, there were certain processes
  which must begin, certain issues which must be
  resolved, certain decisions about community
  organization which must be broached and all this
  before humans could do the mundane work of
  restoration. What we see in the visions is the
  beginning of restoration on a cosmic plane."
  Petersen, ibid., 201-202

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 3.3 Zechariah re-works the Ezekiel plan for
  restoration
• 3.3.1 Scope Israel gt Cosmic
• 3.3.2 Initiation Unclear, pos. the Temple gt
  Divine decision
• 3.3.3 N.J definite gt without limit
• 3.3.4 How restored Glory of Temple gt No Limit
• 3.3.5 Priesthood Zadokite trad. gt spec. HP with
  cosmic rite
• 3.3.6 Order of P collegial activity gt HP and
  hierarchy
• 3.3.7 Rule nasi (?) gt Two anointed ones
• 3.3.8 Disorder not presupposed gt punished with
  cov. curse

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 4. Apocalyptic Theology
• 4.1 . . . Zechariah has elements of an
  apocalypse. The prophet is given a series of
  eight night visions (1.7-6.15). The angel of
  Yahweh explains the visions, acting as mediator
  (1.13f.). The present becomes a symbol of the
  future (vv. 16f.). No direct statement indicates
  that Zechariah is given a vision of some event in
  heaven, but the reference to Joshua standing
  before the angel of the Lord, and Satan at his
  right hand to accuse him (3.1) may suggest a
  heavenly scene (cf. Job 1.6-12). Beyond doubt the
  visions were given to reveal the future,
  including the announcement of the man whose name
  is the Branch (see Jer. 23.5 33.15 see also
  Isa. 11.1), a term which become synonymous with
  Messiah. LaSor, Hubbard Bush, ibid., 494

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5. The Message of Zechariah

• 4.2 Recent emphasis has sought to reconstruct
  the socioreligious setting of the apocalyptic
  writings. Hanson analyzes the several states
  within the hierocratic (Zadokite) circles which
  supplied the impetus for the postexilic
  restoration. The interrelationship between the
  historical situation and the language and figures
  of Scripture goes without question. La Sor,
  Hubbard Bush, ibid., 494

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6. Zechariah 1-8 Outline

• 1. Superscription and first oracle 11-6
• 2. Eight night visions and oracles 17-68
• 2.1 1st - A man on a read horse and oracle 17-17
• 2.2 2nd - Four horns and four smiths 118-21
• 2.3 3rd - The man with a measuring line and
  vision 21-13
• 2.4 4th - The accusation of the HP and oracles
  31-10
• 2.5 5th - A golden lampstand, two olive tress and
  oracles 41-14
• 2.6 6th - The flying scroll 51-4
• 2.7 7th - A woman in a ephah 55-11

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6. Zechariah 1-8 Outline

• 2.8 8th - The chariots and the four winds 61-8
• 3. The symbolic crowning of Joshua 69-15
• 4. The question of fasting and morality 71-823
• 4.1 The question about fasting 71-6
• 4.2 Reiteration of the words of the Former
  Prophets 77-14
• 4.3 A Decalogue of promises 81-23
• 4.3.1 Five brief messages of hope 81-8
• 4.3.2 A sermon including two promises and
  exhortations 89-17
• 4.3.3 Three brief messages about the future
  818-23

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7. Zechariah 9-14 Outline

• 1. The 1st Burden 91-1117
• 1.1 Yahwehs kingdom in Syria, Phoenicia and
  Philistia 91-8
• 1.2 The coming of a new king 99-10
• 1.3 Freeing the captives 911-17
• 1.4 A prophetic admonition 101-2
• 1.5 Restoration of Judah and Joseph 103-12
• 1.6 A fable-like taunt song against tyrants
  111-3
• 1.7 The shepherd rejected 114-17

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7. Zechariah 9-14 Outline

• 2. The 2nd Burden 121-1421
• 2.1 The attack on Jerusalem by the nations 121-8
• 2.2 Weeping in Jerusalem over one they had
  pierced 129-14
• 2.3 Cleansing Jerusalem from sin, idols, and
  false prophets 131-6
• 2.4 The smitten shepherd, a remnant spared 137-9
• 2.5 The day of battle for Jerusalem 141-5
• 2.6 The new Jerusalem 146-11
• 2.7 The plague on those who war against Jerusalem
  1412-15
• 2.8 The pilgrimage of the nations to Jerusalem
  1416-21

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8. Structure of Zechariah 9

• Zechariah 9 is a paradigm example of the
  prophetic adaptation of the league-royal cult
  ritual pattern . . . . Hanson, Paul, The Dawn
  of Apocalyptic, 315-6
• Conflict - Victory 9.1-7
• Temple Secured 9.8
• Victory Shout and Procession 9.9
• Manifestation of Yahwehs Universal Reign 9.10
• Salvation Captives released 9.11-3
• Theophany of Divine Warrior 9.14
• Sacrifice and Banquet 9.15
• Fertility of Restored Order 9.16-7

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9. Structure of Zechariah 10

• Aside from the prefixed rib against the nations
  leaders, the structure of this poem follows the
  ritual pattern of the conflict myth . . . .
  Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic, 329
• 10.1-3 (rib vs. leaders)
• 10.4-6a Combat-Victory
• 10.4 Yahweh equips himself with Israel as his
  host
• 10.5-6a Ritual Conquest
• 10.6b-10 Salvation Restoration of the scattered
  people
• 10.11 Procession reenacting the victory of the
  Divine Warrior over Yamm (Assyria-Egypt)
• 10.12 Victory Shout

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10. Structure of Zechariah 11

• 11.1-3 A Taunt Against Foreign Nations Redirected
  Against Israels Leadership.
• 11.4-17 A Commissioning Narrative Transformed
  into a Prophecy of Doom.
• Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic,
  334-354
• The genre of 11.4-17 has been identified as an
  allegory, a parable, a vision, or a report of a
  symbolic act. The verses probably do not fit any
  of those categories precisely. . . . Redditt,
  Paul L., Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi The New
  Century Bible Commentary, 122

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11. Structure of Zechariah 12

• As a hymn like Psalm 48 indicates, the original
  royal tradition of the unassailability of Zion
  comes to expression in a special form of the
  Divine Warrior Hymn. It includes these basic
  themes
• 1. Attach if the nations against Jerusalem.
• 2. Yahweh strikes them with panic.
• 3. Jerusalem is delivered.
• 4. Celebration of the kings victory.
• Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic, 359

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11. Structure of Zechariah 12

• In Zechariah 12 these major themes form the
  skeleton of the narrative
• 1. In verses 1-3 the nations come against
  Jerusalem.
• 2. In verse 4 Yahweh strikes the enemy with
  panic.
• 3. In verses 5-9 Jerusalem is delivered.
• 4. In verses 10-14 a ceremony is described.
• Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic, 359

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11. Structure of Zechariah 12

• The genre of 12.1-9 is neither a prophecy of
  disaster nor a prophecy of salvation, but
  something of both. The basic thrust of the verses
  was the future victory of Jerusalem (and Judah)
  over the surrounding peoples.
• Redditt, Paul L., Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
  The New Century Bible Commentary, 128

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12. Structure of Zechariah 13

• 13.1 Continues the description of that day.
• 13.2-6 The cleansing of idolatry on that day.
• 13.7-9 Continues 11.4-17.

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13. Structure of Zechariah 14

• 14.1-2 Threat gathering of the nations against
  Jerusalem (This motif has been recast in the form
  of a salvation-judgment oracle.
• 14.3 Conflict and Victory Yahweh intervenes and
  fights.
• 14.4-5 Theophany and Procession Yahweh prepares
  a processional way in a mountain-rending
  cataclysm (4-5a) and enters with his holy ones
  (5b).

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13. Structure of Zechariah 14

• 14.6-8 Shalom A new creation supplants the
  polarities of the old order with the harmony of a
  new order and the fertility of living waters
  flowing forth from Jerusalem.
• 14.9-11 Manifestation of Yahwehs universal
  reign Yahweh alone will reign (9), and his holy
  mountain will be lifted up over a land (10) which
  will dwell in security (11).

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13. Structure of Zechariah 14

• 14.12-15 Covenant Curses The enemies of Yahweh
  and his people will be destroyed. (Although the
  theme of the scattering and destruction of the
  enemy is well established in the ancient
  versions of the conflict myth, the unique
  adaptation here takes the form of the curses of
  the covenant.)

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13. Structure of Zechariah 14

• 14.16-19 Procession of the Nations Yahwehs
  universal reign will be recognized by the
  survivors of the nations.
• 14.20-21 Sacrifice and Banquet In a sanctified
  Jerusalem sacrifice and celebration will be
  renewed.
• Hanson, Paul, The Dawn of Apocalyptic, 372

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The Divine Warrior Hymn

• Paul D. Hanson, The Dawn of the Apocalyptic,
  300-315ff.

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Exodus 15

• Combat-Victory (15.1-12)
• Theophany of Divine Warrior (15.8)
• Salvation of the Israelites (15.13-16a)
• Building of the Temple and Procession (15.16b-17)
• Manifestation of Yahweh's Universal Reign (15.18)

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Baal-Yamm Conflict

• Threat (2.1 137)
• Combat-Victory (2.4 68)
• Temple Built (4 51)
• Banquet (4.6.39ff 51)
• Manifestation of Baals Universal Reign
  (anticipated 2.4.9-10 68 manifested 4.7.9-12
  51)
• Theophany of Divine Warrior (4.7.27-39 51)
• Fertility of Restored Order (anticipated
  4.5.68-71 51 effected 4.7.18-30 51 cf.
  6.3.6-7, 12-13 49)

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Enuma Elish

• Threat (I.109-II.91)
• Combat-Victory (IV.33-122)
• Theophany of Divine Warrior (IV.39-60)
• Salvation of the Gods (IV.123-146 VI.1-44 cf.
  VI.126-127, 149-151)
• Fertility of the restored order (V.1-66 cf.
  VII.1-2, 59-83)
• Procession and victory shout (V.67-89)
• Temple built for Marduk (V.117-156 VI.45-68)
• Banquet (VI.69-94)
• Manifestation of Marduks Universal Reign
  (anticipated IV.3-18 manifested VI.95-VII.144)

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Song of Deborah Judges 5

• Combat of Divine Warrior (5.4a, 20)
• Theophany (5.4b-5)
• Victory (5.21)
• Salvation of Israel (5.31)

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Ideology of Royal Cult in Jerusalem

• Psalm 2 9 24 29 46 47 48 65 68 76
  77.17-21 89 97 98 104 106.9-13 110
• Isaiah 11.1-9
• Isaiah 42.10-16 43.16-21 51.9-11 52.7-12.
• Isaiah 59.15b-20 66.15-16 63.1-6 63.19b-64.2.
• Proto-Apocalyptic Isaiah 34-35 24-25

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List of Possible Elements

• Threat
• Combat
• Victory
• Salvation
• Victory Shout
• Procession
• Manifestation of Reign
• Banquet
• Shalom