Introduction to the book of zechariah

Zechariah was contemporary with haggai, but his book is in direct contrast to haggais. Video series bible book introduction videos zimbabwe sign language bible book introduction videos. Yet their prophecies are just about as different as any two could be. Finally, it seemed that the lord had placed a specific book in my mind as the next. This is an appropriate title for a commentary on the book of zechariah since god has not forgotten his people. George guthrie, general editor of explore the bibles study of the minor prophets introduces the book of zechariah. This would make him a postexilic prophet, like haggai, malachi, and possibly obadiah and joel. These are largely in the form of visions, and deal with the restoration of jerusalem, the rebuilding of the temple, the purification of gods people, and the messianic age. Zechariah claims to be the author of this book zech. Earlier prophets had promised a glorious restoration of the nation e. Zechariah was concerned with rebuilding the temple as well, but his prophecies also encouraged gods people regarding jerusalems place in the. The name zechariah means one whom jehovah remembers.

Introduction to the book of zechariah the bible journey. Title the universal tradition of both jews and christians endorses the prophet zechariah as author. The prophecies of first zechariah can be dated to the late sixth century b. The prophecies that the book of zechariah contain were edited between 520 and 475 b. Like haggai, he received the calling to encourage the jews to. Zechariah introduction commentary commentary critical and. In hebrew the book is titled hyrkz meaning yahweh remembers b. It is a postexilic book, meaning it was written after post the return from captivity exile in babylon. Surprisingly zechariah 18 are alluded to extensively in the book of the revelation, while zechariah 914 are alluded to often in the gospels. The specific mention of the second year of darius places the book in the year 520 b. Only chapters 18 contain the prophecies of zechariah. Through a series of visions and prophesies in chapters 18. Zechariah the prophet was probably born in babylon during the 70year babylonian captivity. Now they are not minor because they are unimportant, but because of their length.

The book of zechariah, attributed to the hebrew prophet zechariah, is included in the twelve minor prophets in the hebrew bible. Why his ancestor, berechiah, is omitted from the list is uncertain. And as i prayed, a few different possibilities were in my mind. The book of zechariah predicted both the first and second comings of jesus christ 500 years before he was born. Overview of the book of zechariah third millennium ministries. Zechariah intro, new international version niv the. Zechariah s prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the jewish restoration from babylonian captivity. The book of zechariah was written about the same time as the book of haggai in c.

The prophet zechariah wrote chapters 18 approximately 520518 b. Zechariah overview john gills exposition on the whole bible. In the commentary section, each pericope is handled under three sections. The first contains two sequences of prophecies, primarily in the form of symbolic vision reports. The book of zechariah was likely written in two primary segments, between 520 and 470 b. Summary of the book of zechariah the story of the bible. Zechariah intro, new international version niv the bible app. The prophet zechariah brought his messages to the returned exiles of judah beginning in the second year of king darius of persia 520 bc. Introduction to the book of zechariah, old testament seminary student material 2018 why study this book. Iddo was a priest who returned to jerusalem with zerubbabel, the first jewish governor of jerusalem after the jews return from the babylonian exile. He was the son of berechiah, who was the son of iddo see zechariah 1.

The book of zechariah is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre. This book is pivotal in our understanding of both apocalyptic literature and eschatology. In the eighth month of the second year of darius, the word of the lord came to zechariah the son of berechiah, the son of iddo the prophet, saying. Study the bible online using commentary on zechariah introduction and more. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 b.

Video series bible book introduction videos english bible book introduction videos. May 03, 2020 an introduction to the book of zechariah. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. This book is a prophetic book and is categorized as one of the minor prophets. He was given a burning in his heart, by god, to move the jewish people from their comfortableness to hard work. Find out more about explore the bible, the only bookbybook bible study for. The book of zechariah contains descriptions of visions concerning the rebuilding of jerusalem and the temple, the gathering of scattered israel, and the triumph of israel over its enemies. His name, according to jerom, signifies the memory of the lord. The book of zechariah, attributed to the hebrew prophet zechariah, is included in the twelve.

Many modern scholars deny unity to the book of zechariah. Zechariah introduction commentary commentary critical. 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, like haggai, was a prophet to the remnant which returned after the 70 years. He prophesied for at least two years, completing the book bearing his name around 518 b. The book of zechariah contains descriptions of visions concerning the rebuilding of jerusalem and the temple, the gathering of scattered. The title plays on the meaning of the name zechariah which in the hebrew means god remembers. Overview of the book of zechariah reformed answers to. Haggai ministered among the jews who had returned to judea after some 70. His name, common to more than 29 old testament men, means the lord remembers.

As the son of a priest, iddo, zechariahs interested in the restoration of the high priests and the holy temple in jerusalem. Zechariah was a levite who was born in babylon neh 12. Zechariah introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Like jeremiah and ezekiel, he was a priest as well as a prophet, which adapts him for the sacerdotal character of some of his prophecies zechariah 6. Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9. His name, common to more than 29 ot men, means the lord remembers. This book is a good commentary that i used as a devotional through the prophetic book of zechariah. The book of zechariah is set initially in 520 bce, some twenty years after the first jews returned from exile in babylon to the region of judah yehud. They are literally ages apart even though they were given to the same people at the same time. But zechariah is two, count em, two minor prophets in one. Zechariah s prophecies took place during the reign of darius the great, and were contemporary with haggai in a post exilic world after the fall of jerusalem in 5876 bc. He went into great detail about christs second coming, providing a treasure trove of information about the end times. Introduction to the book of zechariah the book of zechariah was written about the same time as the book of haggai in c. Nor should zechariah the prophet be confused with any of the 28 other men in the old testament who bore this name.

The book is often difficult to understand, packed with symbolism and vivid imagery, yet its predictions about a. In the first eight chapters of his or their book, zechariah is a more imaginative version of haggai. And i will pour upon the house of david, and upon the inhabitants of jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications. He has a high view of scripture and handles the text with care. But unfortunately we came to the end of that book and now we need to move on to something else. Introduction tonight we begin a new study in the book of zechariah. This book is in the hebrew copies called the book of zechariah. Introduction the book of zechariah has two distinct parts. In greek the book is titled zacarias, a transliteration from the hebrew name. So, for the last year and a few weeks, weve grown accustomed to turning our attention to the book of job. Zechariah emphasized that god has used his prophets to teach, warn and correct his people. The book of zechariah contains inspired visions and prophecies related to rebuilding the temple, as well as details of the messiahs coming, betrayal, and death. The book is often difficult to understand, packed with symbolism and vivid imagery, yet its predictions about a future savior jump out with crystal clarity. The universal tradition of both jews and christians endorses the prophet zechariah as author.

The book of zechariah contains descriptions of visions concerning the rebuilding of jerusalem and the temple, the gathering of scattered israel, and the triumph. The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. Zechariah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets, was son of berechiah, and grandson of iddo. Find out more about explore the bible, the only book by book bible study for. There is much of symbol in zechariah, but these difficult passages are readily interpreted in the light of the whole body of related prophecy. The book of zechariah introduction to the book of zechariah in the bible. The historical background of zechariah is the same as that of haggai see introduction to haggai, but their ministries differed in emphasis. Through a series of visions and prophesies in chapters 18, zechariah urges the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem see ezra 3.

The book of haggai contains messages delivered by the prophet haggai, and thus it is reasonable to consider haggai its author. Hill includes a general introduction to the postexilic prophets in which he gives the historical background for these books. Haggais work centered on the rebuilding of the temple. A chapterbychapter study of the old testament book of zechariah. There is much of symbol in zechariah, but these difficult passages are readily interpreted. In chapters 914, zechariah looks ahead to the coming of the messiah and the final day of judgement. The book of zechariah, because of its great variation in style, content, and language, is widely believed to be a composite work. Video video download options bible book introduction videos share. Zechariah introduction, good news translation gnt the. The specific mention of the second year of darius 1. Ibd most conservative scholars agree that the entire book of zechariah was written by the prophet of that name, who identifies himself in the book s introduction as the son of berechiah 1.

They definitely knew each other and prophesied to the same people at the same period of time. Zechariahs prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the jewish restoration from babylonian captivity. Nearly 20 years after returning from the babylonian exile in the time of cyrus 538 b. The book culminates in prophecies of the saviors mortal ministry and final return in glory. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah. Zechariah, whose name means of whom jehovah has memory, was one of the postexilic prophets and a contemporary of haggai. Discover the basics of the book of zechariah with the esv study bible from crossway, video from the bible project, audio from mark dever, and more. The bible journey introduction to the book of zechariah. Jul 24, 2012 hill includes a general introduction to the postexilic prophets in which he gives the historical background for these books. Intro to zechariah biblica the international bible society. 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.