Zechariah
Prophet of Messianic Visions
Description
Zechariah, a priest and prophet contemporary with Haggai, received his first oracle in 520 BC and continued prophesying into the early fifth century.Zechariah's book contains the most Messianic prophecies of any minor prophet. The eight night visions (chapters 1-6) include: the horsemen among myrtles, four horns and four craftsmen, the man with a measuring line, Joshua the high priest cleansed, the golden lampstand and olive trees, the flying scroll, the woman in the ephah, and the four chariots. The stark stylistic shift between chapters 1-8 (dated, specific, hopeful) and 9-14 (undated, apocalyptic, depicting conflict) has led some scholars to propose multiple authorship, though conservative scholarship maintains unity. Dead Sea Scroll evidence and New Testament citations (attributing 11:12-13 and 12:10 to 'Zechariah the prophet') support single authorship.
His book divides into two distinct sections: chapters 1-8 contain eight night visions and prophetic oracles encouraging the temple rebuilders, while chapters 9-14 present apocalyptic prophecies of Messiah's coming and Israel's ultimate restoration.
Zechariah's Messianic prophecies are remarkably detailed and frequently quoted in the New Testament: the Branch who is both priest and king, the king entering Jerusalem 'lowly, and riding upon an ass,' the thirty pieces of silver cast to the potter in the LORD's house, the pierced one upon whom Israel shall look and mourn, the smitten shepherd whose sheep scatter, living waters flowing from Jerusalem, and the LORD becoming king over all the earth.
The New Testament applies these prophecies to Christ's triumphal entry, Judas's betrayal, the crucifixion, and the Second Coming. More than any other prophet, Zechariah bridges the testaments, his visions illuminating Christ's work in both advents.