Names of the Book
English: | Zechariah |
Hebrew: | זכריה |
Transliterated: | Z'kharyah |
Other names: |
Who
Wrote the book: | Zechariah |
Are the key people: | Zerubabbel, Joshua |
Is it written to: | The people of Judah who had returned from captivity to Jerusalem. |
What
G-d's message while rebuilding the Temple (Zechariah 1:1-8:23) |
G-d's message after rebuilding the Temple (Zechariah 9:1-14:21) |
When
Was it written: | c 520-480 BCE |
Did the events occur: | c 520-480 BCE |
Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh) |
Where
Was it written: | Jerusalem |
Did the events occur: | Jerusalem |
Why
Zechariah was written to inform us that: |
G-d is jealous for His Name and for His people. |
G-d desired for Israel to rebuild the Temple. |
G-d promised a coming King. |
G- d promised His protection. |
Introduction
Zechariah continues Scripture's historical and prophetic messages to Judah. Like all of G-d's prophets, he issues a call of repentance and return to the Lord and His ways. Spiritual renewal would be essential to proper worship in the soon-to-be-restored Temple for without a repentant heart, their service in the Temple would be in vain. Zechariah calls Judah to repent from the very same sins that had resulted in the exile of their ancestors and to return to their covenant relationship with G-d. He calls them to care for widows, orphans, and foreigners as required by the Law but to do so without evil in their hearts. Zechariah concludes his writings with a call to holiness in light of the coming "day of the Lord".
Scripture- Book Selection