Faith & Reason Nexus

MEANING: “Yahweh Remembers” or “Yahweh has Remembered.”

AUTHOR: Zechariah

TIME WRITTEN: Possibly between 480 and 470 B.C.

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 38th Book in the Bible
• 38th Book in the Old Testament
• 16th of 17 books of Prophecy (Isaiah – Malachi)
• 11th of 12 minor prophets (Hosea – Malachi)

CHAPTERS: 14
VERSES: 211
WORDS: 6,444

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ZECHARIAH:

• Name Significance: The name “Zechariah” means “Yahweh Remembers,” and there were 29 Old Testament characters with this name.
• Background:
• Zechariah was of the priestly lineage.
• He was the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo.
• Born in Babylon and brought to Jerusalem by his father during the return led by Zerubbabel.
• He began prophesying at a young age around 520 B.C.
• Role and Influence:
• Zechariah was a member of the Great Synagogue, according to Jewish tradition.
• He was murdered “between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:35).
• Prophetic Mission: Like Haggai, Zechariah was commissioned by God to encourage the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem.
• Contemporaries:
• He was a younger contemporary of Haggai (the prophet), Zerubbabel (the governor), and Joshua (the high priest).
• Prophetic Content:
• 8 Visions: Used to portray God’s future plans for His people.
• 4 Messages: Delivered to the people.
• 2 Burdens: Refers to specific prophetic messages.
• Structure of the Book:
• The first 8 chapters focus on encouraging the people during the Temple’s reconstruction.
• The final 6 chapters, written after the Temple’s completion, anticipate the coming Messiah and future events for Israel.