Zechariah 1
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Commentaries
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In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius - This was Darius Hystaspes; and from this date we find that Zechariah began to prophecy just two months after Haggai. Son of Iddo - There are a number of various readings on this name, ידו Iddo, and עדוא Iddo, both in MSS. and in editions; but they are only different ways of writing the same name.
Open source ↗INTRODUCTORY EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE. THE VISION. The man among the myrtles: Comforting explanation by the angel, an encouragement to the Jews to build the city and temple: The four horns and four artificers. (Zec. 1:1-17) See Introduction.
Open source ↗In the eighth month,.... The month Marchesvan, called the month Bul, in Kg1 6:38 which answers to part of our October, and part of November: this was but two months from the first prophecy of Haggai, Hag 1:1 and but a few days after his second, Hag 2:1 so near were the prophecies of these two prophets together: in the second year of Darius: king of Persia; not Darius the Mede, but Darius the son of Hystaspes: came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah; that is, "the word of prophecy from before the Lord", as the Targum paraphrases it; which came to him, either in a dream, or in a vision, or by an impulse on his mind; who is described by his descent, the son of Barachias; mention is made of this name in Mat 23:35. It signifies "the blessed of the Lord", and is the same with Eulogius or Benedictus: the son of Iddo the prophet: the word "prophet", as Kimchi observes, belongs to Zechariah; not but that his grandfather Iddo might be a prophet too; and the same writer takes notice, that in the Midrash mention is made of Iddo the prophet; and so there is an Iddo that is called the seer and the prophet in Ch2 9:29 but whether the same with this is not certain. The name is by some thought to be the same with Firmicus, Statius, Robertus: saying; as follows:
Open source ↗The first word of the Lord was addressed to the prophet Zechariah in the eighth month of the second year of the reign of Darius, and therefore about two months after Haggai's first prophecy and the commencement of the rebuilding of the temple, which that prophecy was intended to promote (compare Zac 1:1 with Hag 1:1 and Hag 1:15), and a few weeks after Haggai's prophecy of the great glory which the new temple would receive (Hag 2:1-9). Just as Haggai encouraged the chiefs and the people of Judah to continue vigorously the building that had been commenced by this announcement of salvation, so Zechariah opens his prophetic labours with the admonition to turn with sincerity to the Lord, and with the warning not to bring the same punishment upon themselves by falling back into the sins of the fathers. This exhortation to repentance, although it was communicated to the prophet in the form of a special revelation from God, is actually only the introduction to the prophecies which follow, requiring thorough repentance as the condition of obtaining the desired salvation, and at the same time setting before the impenitent and ungodly still further heavy judgments. (Note: "The prophet is thus instructed by God, that, before exhibiting to the nation the rich blessings of God for them to look at under the form of symbolical images, he is to declare the duty of His people, or the condition upon which it will be becoming in God to grant them an abundant supply of these good things." - Vitringa, Comm. in Sach. p. 76.) Zac 1:1. Bachōdesh hasshemı̄nı̄ does not mean "on the eighth new moon" (Kimchi, Chr. B. Mich., Koehl.); for chōdesh is never used in chronological notices for the new moon, or the first new moon's day (see at Exo 19:1). The day of the eighth month is left indefinite, b…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The foundation of Zechariah's ministry; it is laid in a divine authority: The word of the Lord came to him. He received a divine commission to be God's mouth to the people and with it instructions what to say. He received of the Lord that which also he delivered unto them. The word of the Lord was to him; it came in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit, as a real thing, and not a fancy. For the ascertaining of this, we have here, 1. The time when the word of the Lord came first to him, or when the word that next follows came to him: it was in the second year of Darius. Before the captivity the prophets dated their writings by the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel; but now by the reigns of the kings of Persia, to whom they were subjects. Such a melancholy change had sin made of their circumstances. Zerubbabel took not so much state upon him as to have public acts dated by the years of his government, and in things of this nature the prophets, as is fit, complied with the usage of the time, and scrupled not to reckon by the years of the heathen kings, as Dan 7:1; Dan 8:1. Zechariah preached his first sermon in the eighth month of this second year of Darius; Haggai preached his in the sixth month of the same year, Hag 1:1. The people being readily obedient to the word of the Lord in the mouth of Haggai, God blessed them with another prophet; for to him that has, and uses well what he has, more shall be given. 2. The name and family of the prophet to whom the word of the Lord came; He was Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo, and he was the prophet, as Haggai is called the prophet, Hag 1:1. For, though in former ages there was one Iddo a prophet (Ch2 12:15), yet we have no reason to think that Zechariah was of his progeny, or should be…
Open source ↗1:1-6 The prelude identifies the book’s themes as repentance and spiritual renewal, and establishes a tone of hope and encouragement. 1:1 This superscription, or introductory statement, classifies the book of Zechariah as an oracle, an authoritative message inspired by God. The prophet Zechariah was God’s emissary, designated to speak with God’s authority. • King Darius’s reign (521–486 BC) was in the early years of the Persian Empire (539–331 BC).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁמִינִי (shᵉmîynîy, H8066) — eight חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1867) — Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בֶּרֶכְיָה (Berekyâh, H1296) — Berekjah, the name of six Israelites עִדּוֹ (ʻIddôw, H5714) — Iddo (or Iddi), the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife קָצַף (qâtsaph, H7107) — to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… זָמַם (zâmam, H2161) — to plan, usually in a bad sense עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month שְׁבָט (Shᵉbâṭ, H7627) — Shebat, a Jewish month שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1867) — Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… אָדֹם (ʼâdôm, H122) — rosy סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הֲדַס (hădaç, H1918) — the myrtle מְצֻלָּה (mᵉtsullâh, H4699) — shade אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שָׂרֻק (sâruq, H8320) — bright red (as piercing to the sight), i.e. bay לָבָן (lâbân, H3836) — white
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הֲדַס (hădaç, H1918) — the myrtle עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הֲדַס (hădaç, H1918) — the myrtle אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative)
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… זָעַם (zâʻam, H2194) — properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נִחוּם (nichûwm, H5150) — properly, consoled; abstractly, solace
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… קָנָא (qânâʼ, H7065) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קִנְאָה (qinʼâh, H7068) — jealousy or envy
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah,
In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.
of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying,
For the second time that day, the twenty-fourth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to Haggai, saying,