Zechariah (550–500 BCE) was a Hebrew prophet active in the 6th century BCE, known for encouraging the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. His prophecies in the Book of Zechariah emphasize divine restoration, messianic hope, and apocalyptic visions.
A contemporary of Haggai, he prophesied during Darius I’s reign (520 BCE,) urging Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to complete the temple, assuring them of God’s presence and future blessings. His writings include eight night visions symbolizing Jerusalem’s renewal, divine judgment, and a coming righteous leader.
The Book of Zechariah divides into two sections: Chapters 1–8, focusing on temple restoration and covenant renewal, and Chapters 9–14, presenting apocalyptic imagery and messianic prophecies. Scholars debate the latter chapters’ authorship, with some attributing them to a later period.
Notable studies on Zechariah include Mark J. Boda’s The Book of Zechariah (2016,) a detailed commentary on its historical and theological themes, and Carol L. Meyers and Eric M. Meyers’s Anchor Yale Bible: Zechariah (2010,) examining its literary structure and prophetic significance.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Zechariah
Silence is the sanctuary of the prudent, it conceals not only secrets but also imperfections.
—Zechariah
Topics: Silence
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