It is more probable that the name of a place should have been chosen with an allusive meaning, as in micah, than that an unusual appellative should have been chosen to express a very common meaning. 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. His name, common to more than 29 old testament men, means the lord remembers. If so, zechariah was a priest as well as a prophet, and presumably a young man when he began to preach.
Zechariah is also one of the most devotional of the prophetic books, dwelling more completely on the person and work of christ than any other of the prophetic writings. They definitely knew each other and prophesied to the same people at the same period of time. What are the meanings of the various visions in the book. Zechariah definition, a minor prophet of the 6th century b. Zechariah is the eleventh of the twelve prophets in the book of the twelve. They are literally ages apart even though they were given to the same people at the same time. But unfortunately we came to the end of that book and now we need to move on to something else and as i prayed, a few different possibilities were in my mind. The name also appears in the new testament belonging to the father of john the. So, for the last year and a few weeks, weve grown accustomed to turning our attention to the book of job. Zechariah, like gods other prophets, comprehended only the outline of gods divine plan without discerning gods longterm goals. It has been speculated that his grandfather iddo was the head of a priestly family who returned with zerubbabel, and that zechariah may himself have been a priest as well as a prophet.
Except for the apocalyptic sections the eight night visions, its basic language and style are simple and direct. The book of zechariah is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre. An angel restores the high priest joshua in zechariah 3. Brief commentary on the book of zechariah the book of zechariah is called the apocalypse of the old testament. The eleventh in order of the twelve minor prophets. If so, zechariah was a priest as well as a prophet. Before the temple completed, and then wrote chapters 914 approximately 480 b. Brown, the gospel according to john ixii in the anchor bible, 29. In zechariah we learn that only the messiahchrist, the angel of the lord, the branch and the stone zech 3, and the priest upon his throne zech 6 can save his people. And as i prayed, a few different possibilities were in my mind. Finally, it seemed that the lord had placed a specific book in my mind as the next. So, lets turn our attention to the 4th chapter of that book zechariah chapter 4.
In this way it is much like the book of revelation or. The same iddo seems to be mentioned among the priests who returned from exile under zerubbabel and joshua in the year 536 bc nehemiah 12. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Written in 520 bc to the jews returning from the babylonian exile, zechariah encourages and exhorts gods people by laying out before them the future of israel. Zechariah was contemporary with haggai, but his book is in direct contrast to haggais. Zechariah 2 definition and meaning bible dictionary. This summary of the book of zechariah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zechariah. Zechariah, also spelled zacharias, flourished 6th century bc, jewish prophet whose preachings are recorded in one of the shorter prophetical books in the old testament, the book of zechariah q. Meaning, origin and history of the name zechariah behind. Zechariah definition is a hebrew prophet of the sixth century b. It isnt until the new testament gospels and the book of revelation that the symbolic meaning of zechariahs visions and prophecies came into focus in the mission of jesus of nazareth, the davidic heir and promised. The book of zechariah is a prophetic book in the christian old testament.
The prophecy of zechariah is noted for its rich use of visions, pictures, and symbols. The universal tradition of both jews and christians endorses the prophet zechariah as author. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. But unfortunately we came to the end of that book and now we need to move on to something else.
Only chapters 18 contain the prophecies of zechariah. The dates mentioned in the book confirm that he was a contemporary of haggai zechariah 1. This zechariah has of old been connected with 2 chronicles 24. Meaning yahweh remembers, zechariahs name was appropriate to the purpose of his prophecies. This theme of repentance is developed more fully through the subsequent eight visions. He is called in his prophecy the son of berechiah and the grandson of iddo, whereas in the book of ezra, ezra 5. The lord promises to bless jerusalem the word of the lord almighty came to me. Gcbi is a one year bible program designed to give students the tools and knowledge required to understand the bible and form a biblical worldview, with the g. Not much is known about zechariah s life other than what may be inferred from the book. I started accepting it for its plain sense meaning. Jan 02, 2020 zechariah begins his book with a strong call for israel to repent 1. It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me. 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. Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9.
Zechariah 14 prophetic issues lamb and lion ministries. Zechariah definition of zechariah by merriamwebster. In hebrew the book is titled hyrkz meaning yahweh remembers b. Haggai, zechariah, and malachi focus on the bible by john l. The hebrew word zechariah or zachariah means god remembers. Zechariah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Zechariah 8 the lord promises to bless jerusalem bible. Zechariahs hebrew name, zekaryah, means yahweh remem. If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also. Zechariah 8 new international version niv the lord promises to bless jerusalem. The first part of the book, chapters one through eight, contain eight symbolic visions of zechariah. He is absolutely perfect, even though he doesnt think so. The book of zechariah teaches that salvation may be obtained by all. The book also bears evidence that even prophecy could be corrupted.
Zechariah gave us more of the story, and showed how god is interested in lives of his people, not only buildings. Best zechariah commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Gospel worship is represented by the keeping of the feast of tabernacles. The books of ezra and nehemiah are also key literary sources on the restoration. Zechariah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zechariah for bible study or sunday school lessons. This is the name of many characters in the old testament, including the prophet zechariah, the author of the book of zechariah. The visions of zechariah chapters 18 and the prophecies of the lord chapters 914. It is a postexilic book, meaning it was written after post the return from captivity exile in babylon. In general, these visions speak of gods plans for israel and especially for jerusalem and the temple.
In this book, zechariahs visions foster hope in the future promise of. It comes from the hebrew word zakhar, meaning to remember, and yah, one of the names of the jewish god. In greek the book is titled zacarias, a transliteration from the hebrew name. The prophet zechariahs name means \god has remembered. The reason for this supposition is probably that in the hebrew bible the chronicles are placed at the very end. It gives us some unique insight into the very workings of the mind of god, beginning even with the name of the book itself. The book of zechariah, the 11th book of the twelve minor prophets, dates from the. Jul 07, 2017 gcbi is a one year bible program designed to give students the tools and knowledge required to understand the bible and form a biblical worldview, with the g. The form, especially the longer form, of the name would suggest for its meaning, yah remembers or yah is renowned, and the name was doubtless understood in this sense in later times. Zechariah emphasized that god has used his prophets to teach, warn and correct his people.
Well cover only the first 7 verses of this chapter today, but lets go ahead and read the whole chapter for context. Zechariah was the son of berechiah, and the grandson of iddo zechariah 1. 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 prophets zechariah and haggai wrote about the year 520 bc during the restoration of jerusalem and judah. The prophet zechariah wrote chapters 18 approximately 520518 b. Extremely attractive, kind, caring, modest, loving, brave, crazy, smart, understanding. Zechariah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. Cyril had heard of it as the name of a village at the extremity of the mountain. The prophet used a simple structure of eight visions zechariah 1. I decided that if the plain sense makes sense, i would look for no other sense, lest i end up with nonsense.
This is supported by zechariah s interest in the temple and the priesthood, and. Were going to be studying the fifth vision given to zechariah. From the hebrew name zekharyah meaning yahweh remembers, from meaning to remember and referring to the hebrew god. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah.
What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of. 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 book of zechariah is the most messianic, the most truly apocalyptic and eschatological of all the writings of the old testament. Watch our overview video on the book of zechariah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Abel then would be a man out of the first and zechariah a man out of the last book of the old testament. This book is second only to isaiah in the breadth of the prophets writings about messiah. A good example of the nonsense approach is found in the book, the millennium, by loraine boettner. Though zechariah is the original transliteration of the name and used in the english. In this way it is much like the book of revelation or daniel which also have significant visions. It is natural to suppose as the prophet himself mentions his fathers name, whereas the book of ezra mentions only iddo, that berechiah had died early, and that. Then jerusalem will be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the lord almighty will be called the holy mountain.
The last chapter depicts peoples from all over the world coming to worship god, who desires that all people follow him. Zechariah 8 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Yet their prophecies are just about as different as any two could be. Zechariah 14 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings. Zechariahs prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the jewish restoration from babylonian captivity. Then jerusalem will be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the. Zechariah deals with israels complaint that they have experienced gods chastisement for their sin, but the surrounding nations have gone unpunished. The main theme of the book is that god is at work and plans to live again with. Zechariah begins his book with a strong call for israel to repent 1. The book of zechariah is an extraordinary and clearly inspired book of the bible.