At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Zechariah son of Berechiah (traditional, whole book); critical: chapters 9-14 widely assigned to one or more later writers ("Deutero-Zechariah"), questioned since 1630 |
| Date | ~520-518 BC for chapters 1-8 (contemporary with Haggai); chapters 9-14 dated later on the critical view, Persian to early Hellenistic |
| Audience | Post-exilic Judah |
| Genre | Prophecy + apocalyptic visions |
| Purpose | Encouragement + Messianic prophecies |
| Chapters | 14 |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Eight night visions | 1-6 | Restoration symbols |
| Question of fasting + restoration sermons | 7-8 | Genuine fasting + restoration vision |
| Two oracles | 9-14 | Messianic + eschatological |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Restoration | Post-exilic encouragement |
| Messianic prophecies | One of the most Messianic OT books |
| Triumphal entry | Zec.9.9, humble king on donkey (Mat.21.5) |
| 30 pieces of silver | Zec.11.12-13 (Mat.27.9-10) |
| Pierced one | Zec.12.10 (Jhn.19.37) |
| Future kingdom | Final chapters apocalyptic |
Key passages
- Zec.9.9, humble king
- Zec.11.12-13, 30 pieces silver
- Zec.12.10, looking on the one they have pierced
- Zec.13.1, fountain for cleansing
- Zec.14, Day of the LORD + king reigning
NT use
Extensively cited, see particularly Mat.21.5; 26:31; 27:9-10; Jhn.19.37; Rev.