Zechariah: The LORD returns to cleanse and dwell with His people

Where Zechariah sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · Return, c. 538–430 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · Prophets · book 38 of 66

Before it in the story

Haggai

After it in the story

Esther

Zechariah encourages the returned community under Persian rule as the Jerusalem temple is rebuilt. His visions and later oracles carry their hope toward the coming Messiah and God's final victory.

Zechariah summary

Zechariah in context

Written by

Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, identified in 1:1. The later undated oracles are received as part of the same prophetic book.

Written to

The returned community in Judah, including its leaders and those who hear the later oracles.

Setting

Zechariah encourages the returned community under Persian rule as the Jerusalem temple is rebuilt. His visions and later oracles carry their hope toward the coming Messiah and God's final victory.

When

The opening messages date to 520–518 BC. Chapters 9–14 are undated.

Why

To call for repentance, strengthen the returned community in obedience and reveal the LORD's saving purpose through His promised priest, king and shepherd.

Themes of Zechariah

• Grace cleanses and restores service
• The coming King and Shepherd
• The LORD dwells with many nations

Key verses in Zechariah

• Zechariah 4:6

  So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

• Zechariah 9:9

  Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

• Zechariah 14:9

  On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.

Zechariah chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Return, cleansing and renewed service 1–6

1. 1
   Zechariah 1: Return to the LORD who keeps His word

   The LORD calls His people to repent and promises mercy for Jerusalem and judgment on its oppressors.

2. 2
   Zechariah 2: The LORD will be Jerusalem's glory and protection

   The LORD promises to dwell with His people, gather nations to Himself and protect those He has chosen.

3. 3
   Zechariah 3: The accused priest is cleansed by grace

   The LORD removes Joshua's guilt, restores him to service and promises decisive cleansing through the Branch.

4. 4
   Zechariah 4: The work will be completed by God's Spirit

   The LORD promises that His Spirit will enable Zerubbabel to finish the temple despite the apparent weakness of the work.

5. 5
   Zechariah 5: God will judge sin and remove wickedness

   The LORD sends His curse against covenant-breaking and removes personified wickedness from the land.

6. 6
   Zechariah 6: The Lord of all the earth promises a royal priest

   The LORD sends His servants through the earth and points beyond Joshua to the Branch who will rule as priest and king.

Part 2 · From self-regarding fasts to joyful worship 7–8

1. 7
   Zechariah 7: Fasting cannot replace the obedience God requires

   The LORD exposes self-centered mourning and recalls the injustice and refusal to hear that brought exile.

2. 8
   Zechariah 8: The LORD turns mourning into shared joy

   The LORD promises restored life, requires truth and peace, and draws many nations to seek Him with His people.

Part 3 · The humble King and the rejected Shepherd 9–11

1. 9
   Zechariah 9: The humble King brings peace to the nations

   The LORD defeats oppressive powers and sends a humble King whose saving rule reaches the ends of the earth.

2. 10
   Zechariah 10: The LORD gathers the flock failed by its shepherds

   The LORD rejects false comfort, provides faithful rule and gathers His scattered people in a new act of deliverance.

3. 11
   Zechariah 11: The Shepherd is rejected and the flock suffers

   Rejecting the LORD's shepherding brings broken favor, division and exposure to destructive leaders.

Part 4 · Cleansing and the LORD's final reign 12–14

1. 12
   Zechariah 12: The LORD defends and brings His people to mourn

   The Creator protects His people and grants grace that turns them to the One they have pierced in deep repentance.

2. 13
   Zechariah 13: Cleansing comes through the struck Shepherd

   The LORD removes sin and false worship, strikes His appointed Shepherd and refines a people who call upon Him.

3. 14
   Zechariah 14: The LORD reigns over a fully holy people

   The LORD defeats His people's enemies, gives life and security, and makes all their dwelling and worship holy.

See the outline of Zechariah