Topical Bible: Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Zechariah

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Topical Encyclopedia

Zechariah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is recognized as both a prophet and a priest. He is the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo, and his prophetic ministry is documented in the Book of Zechariah, which is part of the Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. Zechariah's prophecies are significant for their rich symbolism and messianic themes, offering hope and encouragement to the Jewish exiles returning from Babylonian captivity.

Historical Context

Zechariah's ministry began in the second year of Darius the Great, around 520 BC, during the post-exilic period when the Jewish people were returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. His contemporary, Haggai, also prophesied during this time, and together they encouraged the people to complete the temple reconstruction, which had been delayed.

Themes and Messages

The Book of Zechariah is divided into two main sections: chapters 1-8 and chapters 9-14. The first section contains a series of eight night visions, which are apocalyptic in nature and convey God's plans for Israel's restoration and future glory. These visions include the man among the myrtle trees, the four horns and four craftsmen, the measuring line, the high priest Joshua, the golden lampstand and two olive trees, the flying scroll, the woman in a basket, and the four chariots.

Key themes in Zechariah's prophecies include:

1. Restoration and Renewal: Zechariah emphasizes God's commitment to restoring Jerusalem and the temple. He calls the people to repentance and faithfulness, assuring them of God's presence and blessing.

2. Messianic Hope: Zechariah contains several messianic prophecies that point to the coming of a future king from the line of David. Notably, Zechariah 9:9 foretells the arrival of a humble king riding on a donkey, a prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament by Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5).

3. Divine Sovereignty: The visions and messages underscore God's sovereignty over the nations and His ultimate plan for redemption. Zechariah 14 describes a future day when the Lord will be king over all the earth, highlighting the eschatological hope for God's ultimate reign.

4. Spiritual Leadership: Zechariah highlights the roles of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, as leaders in the restoration efforts. The vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees (Zechariah 4) symbolizes the empowerment of these leaders by the Spirit of God.

Prophetic Significance

Zechariah's prophecies are integral to understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. His visions and messages not only addressed the immediate concerns of his contemporaries but also pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The book's emphasis on repentance, divine intervention, and future hope continues to inspire and challenge believers today.

Conclusion

Zechariah's prophetic ministry played a crucial role in encouraging the Jewish community during a pivotal time in their history. His messages of hope, restoration, and messianic expectation remain relevant, offering insight into God's character and His purposes for humanity. As a prophet, Zechariah stands as a testament to God's faithfulness and the assurance of His promises.

Nave's Topical Index

Zechariah 1:7
On the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD to Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
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Zechariah 4:8
Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Zechariah 6:9
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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Zechariah 7:1,4,8
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;
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Zechariah 8:1,18
Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
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Library

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... The doubts of individuals, it is true, were still expressed respecting certain books
of ... without the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy connected with it ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... delivered orally to the individuals concerned, or to ... and simultaneous continuation
of Isaian prophecy. ... interesting critical inquiries respecting the component ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... ie, contrary to the faith of prophecy, they crucified ... And yet there are simple
individuals, who think ... written and concealed in Genesis respecting the different ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... not rain in the days of their prophecy: and they ... hundred persons, the majority,
principal individuals of the ... It is that respecting which they inquired, as the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... was uttered, had come to them through single individuals. ... has to declare this
fundamental prophecy to be the ... 2.regulations are laid down respecting the order ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

The Ascension of Isaiah.
... but of the tortures and murders of individuals. ... the existence of great disputes
respecting the second ... Prophecy is not yet silenced, though greatly diminished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... For the prophecy was fulfilled which said, "The children of ... are so, and since
innumerable individuals fall into ... 2932] For if the judgment respecting the "Jew ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

[Endnotes]
... 3. See also some singular speculations respecting it in ... authority conferred on him
"by prophecy," or in ... 23:7. There were probably more individuals present at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... are foolish, so our own language respecting him is ... The hallucination consists in
dreaming of individuals, each of ... Christ the words of the prophecy of Habakkuk ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... Society of Friends; but to some unworthy individuals who assumed ... and power give a
man to see, and powerfully ... by the dictates of human nature, respecting the law ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm