Zechariah 1

1. In the eighth month, etc. Marchesvan (Oct.-Nov.). Just two months after Haggai began to prophesy, and about one month after the Temple was recommenced.

In the second year of Darius. See note on Hag. i. 1.

the son of Berechiah. Ezra (v. 1) and Nehemiah (xii. 16) call him the son of Iddo, “son” there meaning descendant. He was the grandson of Iddo.

5. Your fathers, where are they? The generation to whom God’s word was revealed has passed away; but that word has still its bearing upon you: cp. Isa. xl. 6-8.

6 statutes. Rather, “decrees.” The things which I had decreed, “took hold of” (i.e., overtook) your fathers.

they returned and said. That is, to God.

7 the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month. About three months after the former message, “Shebat” was the Babylonian name of the eleventh month (Jan.-Feb.).

8 a man riding upon a red horse. Or, “chestnut horse.” Similar representations of God’s controlling and protecting providence are given in Gen. xxxii. 1; Josh. v. 13; 2 Kings vi. 17.

In the bottom. Or, “in the deep valley,” where the myrtle is chiefly found.

12 these threescore and ten years. See note on 2 Kings xxv. 8.

15 they helped forward the affliction. Luther’s version best brings out the meaning: “I was a little angry with Israel, but they help to destroy it.”

16 a line shall be stretched forth, etc. The measuring line for rebuilding it.

17. My cities through prosperity, etc. Rather, “My cities shall yet overflow with prosperity” (R.V. marg.).

18 four horns. Indicating that the hostile nations were on all sides.

20 carpenters. Rather, “blacksmiths”: i.e., to shatter their enemies (ver. 21).

Then comes the first of Zechariah’s great prophecies of the Messiah, who is here described as the Branch, and who shall be crowned as priest and king (vi. 12, 13).

In words that recall those of Isaiah (Isa. i. 12-17), and of Micah (Micah vi. 6-8), Zechariah answers a question about fasting. He does not tell the people not to fast, but shows its futility and hypocrisy unless there be right dealing with their neighbours, especially the widow, the fatherless, the stranger and the poor (vii. esp. 5, 6, 9, 10), with truthfulness and justice (viii. 16, 17). Then shall there be joy and gladness, children playing in safety in the streets, and men and women living to old age because Jerusalem shall be a city of truth, a holy mountain, attracting the homage of all nations (viii. 3-5, 19-23).

The remaining chapters (ix.-xiv.) differ so much in style and substance from the earlier ones, that some commentators regard them as being by a different hand from Zechariah’s. They contain prophecies about Hadrach, Damascus, Hamath, Assyria, Egypt and Greece as well as some about Tyre and Sidon and the cities of Philistia (ix. 1, 2, 3, 5, 13; x. 10). But in them as in the earlier chapters, there are predictions of the coming of the Messiah (cp. ix. 9, with John xii. 14, 15). A fountain shall be opened for sin and for uncleanness (xiii. 1; cp. Heb. ix. 14); the whole life of city and home shall be consecrated to God (xiv. 20, 21); and “the Lord shall be king over all the earth” (xiv. 9).