Very little is known about Zechariah. He was a contemporary of Haggai,
and the fact that he was apparently quite young at the time of his
prophecy (Ch. 2:4) he was probably also born during the captivity.
He joins with Haggai in arousing the Jews to rebuild the Temple at
Jerusalem, with much the same zeal as Haggai. (Ezra 6:14)
It is interesting to note that the Septuagint version credits several of
the Psalms to Zechariah and Haggai.
Zechariah begins his prophecy two months following Haggai. (Compare
Haggai 1:1 and Zech. 1:1). Haggai spoke very directly to the people of
his day, while Zechariah is more visionary, and therefore writes in much
more figurative language much as did Ezekiel and Daniel. While his
prophecy is directed to the lethargy of the people with the task of
rebuilding, he also looks forward to the coming of the Messiah, and
makes some astonishing statements as to the things which would occur at
Messiah’s coming. One of the most amazing of these is the description
in Ch. 14:20).
The book is written in three sections.
OUTLINE OF ZECHARIAH:
OPENING EXHORTATIONS CH. 1:1-6
SECTION I – EIGHT VISIONS CH. 1:7–6:15.
- The man among the myrtle trees, and the drove of horses Ch. 1:7-17
- The four horns, and the four carpenters Ch. 1:18-21
- The man with the measuring line Ch. 2
- The cleansing of the high priest Ch. 3
- The golden candlestick and the two olive trees Ch. 4 (Compare Rev.
- The flying roll Ch. 5:1-4
- The woman in the ephah Ch. 5:5-11
- The four chariots Ch. 6:1-8, and the crowning of the high priest Ch.
SECTION II – ANSWER TO THE DEPUTATION FROM BETHEL CONCERNING THE FASTS
PROPHECY THAT THE FASTS WILL BECOME FESTIVALS. CH. 7 & 8