King James Version
Zechariah
Zechariah in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of Zechariah: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Zechariah son of Berechiah. Many critical scholars assign chapters 9–14 to later writers. |
|---|---|
| Date | About 520–480 BC in one survey. Critical scholars often date chapters 9–14 later. |
| Place written | Jerusalem, in the Persian province of Yehud. |
| Genre | Visions and prophetic oracles. |
| Chapters | 14 |
| Verses | 211 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionRejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 1:1 · King James VersionIn the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Zechariah 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Zechariah son of Berechiah in the second year of Darius. Ezra 5:1Ezra 5:1 · King James VersionThen the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Ezra 5:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source names him with Haggai. The Talmud says the men of the Great Assembly wrote the Twelve. (2) Zechariah 9:1Zechariah 9:1 · King James VersionThe burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
Zechariah 9:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source and Zechariah 12:1Zechariah 12:1 · King James VersionThe burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zechariah 12:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) begin new headings. Many critical scholars assign chapters 9–14 to one or more later writers, citing a change of style and setting. Traditional scholars answer that a change of subject explains the change of style.
Who It Is Not
The Zacharias of Matthew 23:35Matthew 23:35 · King James VersionThat upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Matthew 23:35 · King James VersionOpen the Source is debated. This page does not identify him.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives 520–480 BC. (5)
Audience and Setting
The returned community rebuilding the temple. The purpose is to encourage them with visions of God’s plans and the coming king.
Rulers at the Time
Darius of Persia, Zerubbabel, and Joshua the high priest. Reign dates were not checked for this essay and are omitted.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Night visions | Zechariah 1–6 |
| Fasting question | Zechariah 7–8 |
| The coming king | Zechariah 9–11 |
| The day of the Lord | Zechariah 12–14 |
| Composition | 520–480 BC in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | The Old City of Jerusalem. | Zechariah 8:3Zechariah 8:3 · King James VersionThus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Zechariah 8:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Mount of Olives | The ridge east of Jerusalem’s Old City. | Zechariah 14:4Zechariah 14:4 · King James VersionAnd his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.Zechariah 14:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
Zechariah 1–6 are eight night visions. Zechariah 7–8 answer a question about fasting. Zechariah 9–14 describe the coming king, the shepherd, and the day of the Lord.
Key Themes
Return to God in Zechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:3 · King James VersionTherefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 1:3 · King James VersionOpen the Source. By my Spirit in Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:6 · King James VersionThen he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The coming king in Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionRejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
Matthew 27:9–10Matthew 27:9–10 · King James Version27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
27:10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
Matthew 27:9–10 · King James VersionOpen the Source attributes to Jeremiah a prophecy resembling Zechariah 11:12–13Zechariah 11:12–13 · King James Version11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
11:13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Zechariah 11:12–13 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Interpreters explain that Matthew combines Jeremiah and Zechariah and names the more prominent prophet. This page states the question.
How the Book Points to Christ
The king riding on a donkey, Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionRejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zechariah 9:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source, is applied to Jesus in Matthew 21:5Matthew 21:5 · King James VersionTell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew 21:5 · King James VersionOpen the Source. They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 12:10 · King James VersionAnd I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10 · King James VersionOpen the Source, with the Lord speaking, is applied to Jesus in John 19:37John 19:37 · King James VersionAnd again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
John 19:37 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
The Twelve are among the books found at Qumran. (6)
Canon Reception
Received with the Twelve. (4) (3)
Further Reading
References
- Book of Zechariah, 1:1; 9:1; 12:1Zechariah 1:1 · King James Version
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Zechariah 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 15a, 15a (The William Davidson English on Sefaria is copyrighted. This page paraphrases it and does not reprint it. The page continues the list of writers and the debate about it.)
- Against Apion, 1.8Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William Whiston
For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from, and contradicting one another: [as the Greeks have:] but only twenty two books: which contain the records of all the past times: which are justly believed to be divine. And of them five belong to Moses: which contain his laws, and the traditions of the origin of mankind, till his death.
Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William WhistonOpen the Source (Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1.8, translated by William Whiston. Josephus counts twenty-two books: five of Moses, thirteen of the prophets from Moses to Artaxerxes, and four of hymns and precepts.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, Zechariah (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives Zechariah as 520–480 BC. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Dead Sea Scrolls, introduction, Biblical manuscriptsDead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities Authority
Among the Scrolls are partial or complete copies of every book in the Hebrew Bible (except the book of Esther).
Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities AuthorityOpen the Source (Israel Antiquities Authority. Biblical manuscripts from the Qumran caves date from the third century BC into the first century AD, and every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther is represented.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.