September 17, 2025
Zechariah's Visions
Zechariah 1-5
Joaquin Sanchez
Big Book Idea
Remember, God will ultimately fulfill his promises to Israel through Christ.
Key Verse | Zechariah 4:6
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 1-5
Chapter 1
A Call to Return to the LORD
1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 2 “The LORD was very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. 5 Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”
A Vision of a Horseman
7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 8 “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9 Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ 10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.’ 11 And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.’ 12 Then the angel of the LORD said, ‘O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ 13 And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15 And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. 16 Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”
A Vision of Horns and Craftsmen
18 1 1:18 Ch 2:1 in Hebrew And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”
Chapter 2
A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line
1 2 2:1 Ch 2:5 in Hebrew And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2 Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him 4 and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. 5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”
6 Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the LORD. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the LORD. 7 Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. 8 For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me 3 2:8 Or he sent me after glory to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: 9 “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. 11 And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12 And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Chapter 3
A Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan 4 3:1 Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand 5 3:2 That is, a burning stick plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.
6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. 9 For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, 6 3:9 Or facets I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. 10 In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.”
Chapter 4
A Vision of a Golden Lampstand
1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth.” 11 Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil 7 4:12 Hebrew lacks oil is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones 8 4:14 Hebrew two sons of new oil who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Chapter 5
A Vision of a Flying Scroll
1 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.” 9 5:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely 10 5:3 Hebrew lacks falsely (supplied from verse 4) shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side. 4 I will send it out, declares the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”
A Vision of a Woman in a Basket
5 Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.” 6 And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket 11 5:6 Hebrew ephah; also verses 711. An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity 12 5:6 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts eye in all the land.” 7 And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket! 8 And he said, “This is Wickedness.” And he thrust her back into the basket, and thrust down the leaden weight on its opening.
9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. 10 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they taking the basket?” 11 He said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base.”
Footnotes
[1] 1:18 Ch 2:1 in Hebrew[2] 2:1 Ch 2:5 in Hebrew
[3] 2:8 Or he sent me after glory
[4] 3:1 Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary
[5] 3:2 That is, a burning stick
[6] 3:9 Or facets
[7] 4:12 Hebrew lacks oil
[8] 4:14 Hebrew two sons of new oil
[9] 5:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[10] 5:3 Hebrew lacks falsely (supplied from verse 4)
[11] 5:6 Hebrew ephah; also verses 7–11. An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters
[12] 5:6 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts eye
Table of Contents
Introduction to Zechariah
Timeline
Author and Date
Zechariah was a prophet and a priest. He began his ministry in 520 B.C., shortly after Haggai had begun his prophetic work.
Background
Nearly 20 years after returning from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus (538 B.C.), God’s people were discouraged. The foundation of the temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 B.C., but powerful opposition had prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple. And, there was little evidence of the kind of spiritual renewal that the earlier prophets had anticipated. Jewish sovereignty had not been restored. A moral reformation of the people had not occurred. Jerusalem was still only partially rebuilt and had no significance among the surrounding nations. Under the circumstances, many people concluded that theirs was a “day of small things” (4:10) in which God was absent from his people. Many viewed faithful obedience as useless. It seemed to make more sense to forget God and to pursue the best life possible.
Key Themes
- The need for turning to the Lord in repentance (1:1–6) and serving him with sincerity (ch. 7).
- The Lord’s concern and care for his people’s difficulties (1:8–17; 4:10).
- Jerusalem’s future expansion and blessing (2:4, 12; 8:1–8; 14:16).
- The complete and permanent removal of the people’s sin (chs. 3; 5), and the removal of false prophecy and idolatry from the land (13:2–6).
- The importance of the temple as the source of God’s blessing (ch. 4).
- The Lord’s wrath at the nations that plundered Judah and Jerusalem (1:18–21; 14:3–5).
- The Divine Warrior’s return to terrorize Israel’s foes (9:1–8), and the coming of the Branch, a Davidic ruler who will save his people, cleanse their sins, and establish peace (3:8; 6:9–15; 9:9–10).
- The pouring out of God’s Spirit, resulting in repentance and the opening of a fountain for the cleansing of sin (12:10–13:1).
- Judgment on the wicked shepherds of God’s people and their replacement by a good shepherd (11:1–17).
- The striking of the good shepherd and the scattering of the flock (13:7–9).
- The Lord’s final triumph over the nations (ch. 14).
Outline
- Oracles and Visions (1:1–8:23)
- The Return of the King (9:1–14:21)
- The first oracle: leaders and their people (9:1–11:17)
- The second oracle: the people and their leaders (12:1–14:21)
The Near East at the Time of Zechariah
c. 520 B.C.
Zechariah prophesied to the people of Judah soon after they had returned from exile in Babylon. Several years earlier, in 539 B.C., Cyrus the Great had conquered Babylon and absorbed its territory into his empire. A year later he permitted the people of Judah to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple. Cyrus and his son Cambyses extended the Persian Empire until it stretched from Egypt and Lydia to the borders of India.
Fact: Zechariah in the NT
Zechariah in the NT. Several NT writers quote or allude to the book of Zechariah. One estimate is that 54 passages from Zechariah occur in 67 different places in the NT. Many of these are in Revelation.
Fact: Eight visions
Eight visions. The book of Zechariah has two major sections: chs. 1–8 and chs. 9–14. The first section contains eight visions that describe what God plans to do. Many of the symbols and images in these visions also appear in Revelation.
Fact: The number four
The number four in Scripture is often associated with creation or completeness. There are four different directions of the compass, four elements, four seasons of the year, and four times of day (morning, noon, evening, and midnight). In 1:18, four represents all of the world powers responsible for the scattering of Judah. However, the Lord, who is sovereign over his creation, will care for his people and punish their oppressors.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Oracles against the Nations in the Prophets
| Isaiah | Jeremiah | Ezekiel | Joel | Amos | Obadiah | Jonah | Nahum | Zephaniah | Zechariah* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammon | 49:1–6 | 25:1–7 | 1:13–15 | |||||||
| Arabia | 21:13–17 | |||||||||
| Assyria (Nineveh) | 10:5–19; 14:24–27 | (Nineveh) | (Nineveh) | |||||||
| Babylon | 13:1–14:23; 21:1–10; 46:1–47:15 | 50:1–51:64 | 2:9–12? | |||||||
| Damascus | 17:1–6? | 49:23–27 | 1:3–5 | 9:1 | ||||||
| Edom | 21:11–12 | 49:7–22 | 25:12–14 | 1:11–12 | 1–14? | |||||
| Egypt | 18:1–20:6 | 46:2–26 | 29:1–32:32 | |||||||
| Elam | 49:34–39 | |||||||||
| Ethiopia | 2:12–15 | |||||||||
| Gaza | 1:6–8 | 9:5 | ||||||||
| Kedar and Hazor | 49:28–33 | |||||||||
| Lebanon | 11:1–3? | |||||||||
| Moab | 15:1–16:14 | 48:1–47 | 25:8–11 | 2:1–3 | 2:8–11 | |||||
| Philistia | 14:28–32 | 47:1–7 | 25:15–17 | 3:4–8 | 2:5–7 | 9:6 | ||||
| Tyre Sidon | 23:1–18 | 26:1–28:19; 28:20–23 | 3:4–8 | 1:9–10 | 9:2–3 |
*Additional cities /states are denounced in 9:1–8: Hadrach, Aram (v. 1); Ashkelon, Ekron (v. 5); Ashdod (v. 6)
Zechariah’s Visions
| Vision | Passage | Content Summary | Zechariah’s Question(s) to the Messenger | Promise/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:7–17 | Vision of horsemen who “patrol the earth” and report the condition of the earth; the Lord promises to build his house in Jerusalem | What are these, my lord? (v. 9) | The Lord is jealous for Jerusalem and promises that his house will be built there and that the Lord’s cities will overflow with prosperity |
| 2 | 1:18–21 | Vision of four horns and four craftsmen: the horns have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen come to terrify and cast down the horns | What are these? (v. 19) What are these coming to do? (v. 21) | The craftsmen will cast down those who have oppressed Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem |
| 3 | 2:1–13 | Vision of a man with a measuring line in his hand who comes to measure Jerusalem | Where are you going? (v. 2) | Jerusalem will be inhabited, and the Lord will be in the midst of his people |
| 4 | 3:1–10 | Vision of Joshua the high priest and the removal of his iniquity as the representative of the people | Joshua the priest will rule the Lord’s house and courts, and the coming of “my servant the Branch” is promised | |
| 5 | 4:1–14 | Vision of a lampstand and two olive trees | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) What are these two olive trees . . . ? (v. 11) | The rebuilding of the temple is charged to Zerubbabel and Joshua and will occur by the power of the Lord |
| 6 | 5:1–4 | Vision of a flying scroll | Covenant curses will come upon the covenant breaker, e.g., the one who steals and the one who swears falsely | |
| 7 | 5:5–11 | Vision of a woman in the basket (ephah), later carried away by two women | What is it? (v. 6) Where are they taking the basket? (v. 10) | “Wickedness”—symbolized by the presence of the woman—will be removed to Babylon (Shinar) |
| 8 | 6:1–8 | Vision of four chariots pulled by strong horses: red, black, white, dappled | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) | The chariots and horses go north (black and white) and south (dappled) to “patrol the earth” |
Zechariah
Zechariah was both a priest and a prophet. He was a member of a prominent family who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Like Haggai, who ministered during the same time, Zechariah spoke about the need to rebuild the temple. He reassured Judah that if they would heed the words of the prophets and turn to the Lord, God would bless his people for their faithfulness. God would trouble the nations who were enjoying rest and grant rest to his troubled people, making Jerusalem once again the center of the world. Zechariah also prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. Matthew, Mark, John, Ephesians, and Revelation are among the NT books that quote Zechariah, recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of his prophecies. (Zechariah 8:1–8)
Zech. 1:1 The second year of Darius is 520 B.C., a stable time in the Persian Empire. Zechariah’s name means “Yahweh remembered.”
1:1–6 Introduction: Return to Me and I Will Return to You. After the exile, God invites his people to renew their commitment to him.
Zech. 1:6 The people’s forefathers ignored the Lord’s prophets and were judged. Though the prophets themselves died, the words and statutes of the Lord that they spoke brought judgment. Now their words bore fruit in the new generation’s response. They repented and confessed the justice of the Lord’s judgments.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Zech. 1:10–11 The horsemen whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth are God’s angelic forces sent to gather accurate information for him.
Zech. 1:12 For the nations to be at rest while God’s people are not is a reversal of the proper order. The angel of the LORD, God’s personal representative, therefore asks the Lord to end the seventy years of judgment.
Zech. 1:13–14 gracious and comforting words. The Lord’s response is positive, and Zechariah is ordered to spread the good news. The Lord’s covenantal jealousy toward Jerusalem and Zion has caused him to act in their favor. He will now judge the nations he previously used to judge his people for their sin (v. 2).
Zech. 1:7–17 In his first vision, Zechariah sees horsemen, who report to God the condition of the earth and prompt the angel of the Lord to intercede for Jerusalem.
Zech. 1:17 Since his people returned to him (v. 6), the Lord returns to dwell with them. The temple (“my house,” v. 16) will be rebuilt and the covenantal blessing of prosperity will flow out from it. As always in the Bible, “prosperity” is defined by God’s will, not by human desires.
Fact: The number four
The number four in Scripture is often associated with creation or completeness. There are four different directions of the compass, four elements, four seasons of the year, and four times of day (morning, noon, evening, and midnight). In 1:18, four represents all of the world powers responsible for the scattering of Judah. However, the Lord, who is sovereign over his creation, will care for his people and punish their oppressors.
Zech. 1:18–21 The second vision describes four horns. “Four” symbolizes all the world powers responsible for exiling Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. These nations had scattered God’s people for their sins, just as the covenant curse of Lev. 26:33 had warned. Those who fought against Judah will now be brought down by four craftsmen, another group of nations. The Abrahamic covenant promise to curse those who dishonor Abraham and his offspring (Gen. 12:3) is still in force.
Zech. 2:1 The man with a measuring line in his hand calls attention to the size of the restored city, which contrasts with its present unimpressive state.
Zechariah’s Visions
| Vision | Passage | Content Summary | Zechariah’s Question(s) to the Messenger | Promise/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:7–17 | Vision of horsemen who “patrol the earth” and report the condition of the earth; the Lord promises to build his house in Jerusalem | What are these, my lord? (v. 9) | The Lord is jealous for Jerusalem and promises that his house will be built there and that the Lord’s cities will overflow with prosperity |
| 2 | 1:18–21 | Vision of four horns and four craftsmen: the horns have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen come to terrify and cast down the horns | What are these? (v. 19) What are these coming to do? (v. 21) | The craftsmen will cast down those who have oppressed Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem |
| 3 | 2:1–13 | Vision of a man with a measuring line in his hand who comes to measure Jerusalem | Where are you going? (v. 2) | Jerusalem will be inhabited, and the Lord will be in the midst of his people |
| 4 | 3:1–10 | Vision of Joshua the high priest and the removal of his iniquity as the representative of the people | Joshua the priest will rule the Lord’s house and courts, and the coming of “my servant the Branch” is promised | |
| 5 | 4:1–14 | Vision of a lampstand and two olive trees | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) What are these two olive trees . . . ? (v. 11) | The rebuilding of the temple is charged to Zerubbabel and Joshua and will occur by the power of the Lord |
| 6 | 5:1–4 | Vision of a flying scroll | Covenant curses will come upon the covenant breaker, e.g., the one who steals and the one who swears falsely | |
| 7 | 5:5–11 | Vision of a woman in the basket (ephah), later carried away by two women | What is it? (v. 6) Where are they taking the basket? (v. 10) | “Wickedness”—symbolized by the presence of the woman—will be removed to Babylon (Shinar) |
| 8 | 6:1–8 | Vision of four chariots pulled by strong horses: red, black, white, dappled | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) | The chariots and horses go north (black and white) and south (dappled) to “patrol the earth” |
Zech. 2:5 Jerusalem’s increased population will require that it be “without walls” (v. 4). The Lord himself will provide a protective wall of fire around it, however, like the cherubim and flaming sword that protected the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24). God’s glory will return to inhabit the entire city (see Ezekiel 43).
Zech. 2:6–7 Flee from the land of the north. God’s glory will return to Jerusalem and his judgment will fall on their former rulers (1:18–20). Thus, those still in exile in Babylon should escape and return to Zion, the home of the temple.
Zech. 2:8 after his glory sent me. The Lord sent Zechariah to declare that judgment will come on those who plundered his people, the apple of his eye, that is, the “heart” of the eye, the most valued part.
Zech. 2:10 Sing and rejoice. The Lord’s dramatic return to his rebuilt house is cause for praise for those who have returned to Judah (see Ps. 35:27).
Zech. 2:11 The nations too will join themselves to (enter into covenant with) the LORD in that day (see Isa. 56:3–5). Jews and Gentiles will join together in one nation, my people, with the Lord dwelling in their midst (compare Eph. 2:13–16).
Zech. 2:12 Though the nations will come to worship the Lord, Judah and Jerusalem will still be his chosen portion.
Oracles against the Nations in the Prophets
| Isaiah | Jeremiah | Ezekiel | Joel | Amos | Obadiah | Jonah | Nahum | Zephaniah | Zechariah* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammon | 49:1–6 | 25:1–7 | 1:13–15 | |||||||
| Arabia | 21:13–17 | |||||||||
| Assyria (Nineveh) | 10:5–19; 14:24–27 | (Nineveh) | (Nineveh) | |||||||
| Babylon | 13:1–14:23; 21:1–10; 46:1–47:15 | 50:1–51:64 | 2:9–12? | |||||||
| Damascus | 17:1–6? | 49:23–27 | 1:3–5 | 9:1 | ||||||
| Edom | 21:11–12 | 49:7–22 | 25:12–14 | 1:11–12 | 1–14? | |||||
| Egypt | 18:1–20:6 | 46:2–26 | 29:1–32:32 | |||||||
| Elam | 49:34–39 | |||||||||
| Ethiopia | 2:12–15 | |||||||||
| Gaza | 1:6–8 | 9:5 | ||||||||
| Kedar and Hazor | 49:28–33 | |||||||||
| Lebanon | 11:1–3? | |||||||||
| Moab | 15:1–16:14 | 48:1–47 | 25:8–11 | 2:1–3 | 2:8–11 | |||||
| Philistia | 14:28–32 | 47:1–7 | 25:15–17 | 3:4–8 | 2:5–7 | 9:6 | ||||
| Tyre Sidon | 23:1–18 | 26:1–28:19; 28:20–23 | 3:4–8 | 1:9–10 | 9:2–3 |
*Additional cities /states are denounced in 9:1–8: Hadrach, Aram (v. 1); Ashkelon, Ekron (v. 5); Ashdod (v. 6)
Zech. 2:1–13 In his third vision Zechariah anticipates a renewed Jerusalem, so full of people that it spreads beyond its walls. It will attract those Jews who remain in exile, as well as many Gentiles.
Zech. 3:3 Satan has a very strong case. Joshua is clothed with filthy garments soiled with excrement, which defiles him. This poses a serious problem for the people, since it was through Joshua the high priest that their own impurity was to be removed on the Day of Atonement (see Lev. 16:1–34). But the Lord rejects Satan’s charges. The Lord’s election of Jerusalem, and Joshua’s position as one “plucked from the fire” (that is, brought safely back from the exile; Zech. 3:2), means that Joshua is not guilty.
Zech. 3:4 The Lord commands his servants to remove the filthy garments. This removes Joshua’s sin. God also orders that Joshua be clothed in pure vestments, garments suitable to wear in the presence of the King of kings. These garments represent a new righteousness given to Joshua.
Zech. 3:5 Zechariah also requests a clean turban for Joshua’s head, which symbolizes glory and royalty. Joshua’s reclothing in the presence of the angel of the LORD shows God’s gracious acceptance of him and the people he represents.
Zech. 3:7 The Lord commands Joshua to walk in my ways and keep my charge. If he does so, he will also rule my house and have charge of my courts. Thus, temple worship will not be corrupted by idolatry (compare Ezek. 44:23–24). The Lord will not be silent or distant from his people any longer.
Zech. 3:8–9 Joshua and his friends, the priestly class, were men who are a sign: their very existence after the exile showed God’s commitment to bless his people. Ultimately, God will bless them by sending my servant the Branch. This servant will remove the iniquity of this land. The stone was probably similar to the one on Aaron’s turban. It was engraved with the words “Holy to the LORD,” which enabled Aaron to bear the people’s sin before the Lord (Ex. 28:36–38).
Zech. 3:10 The coming Branch will remove the “iniquity of this land” (v. 9). Thus, he will restore fruitfulness and peace in the land. As during Solomon’s empire, each man will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree (compare 1 Kings 4:25; Mic. 4:4).
Zech. 4:2 The lampstand supported a bowl, which was a container for the oil. Arranged around the bowl were seven lamps, each of which had seven lips (that is, “spouts”). This would provide a lot of light.
Zech. 4:10a The building begun under Zerubbabel will challenge those who think of their times as a day of small things. God’s work may start in small ways, yet it will reach a glorious conclusion (compare Matt. 13:31–32).
Zech. 4:10b The seven lamps (v. 2) are the eyes of the LORD. They represent his watchfulness over the whole earth, which results in blessing for his faithful people (compare 2 Chron. 16:9).
Zechariah’s Visions
| Vision | Passage | Content Summary | Zechariah’s Question(s) to the Messenger | Promise/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:7–17 | Vision of horsemen who “patrol the earth” and report the condition of the earth; the Lord promises to build his house in Jerusalem | What are these, my lord? (v. 9) | The Lord is jealous for Jerusalem and promises that his house will be built there and that the Lord’s cities will overflow with prosperity |
| 2 | 1:18–21 | Vision of four horns and four craftsmen: the horns have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen come to terrify and cast down the horns | What are these? (v. 19) What are these coming to do? (v. 21) | The craftsmen will cast down those who have oppressed Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem |
| 3 | 2:1–13 | Vision of a man with a measuring line in his hand who comes to measure Jerusalem | Where are you going? (v. 2) | Jerusalem will be inhabited, and the Lord will be in the midst of his people |
| 4 | 3:1–10 | Vision of Joshua the high priest and the removal of his iniquity as the representative of the people | Joshua the priest will rule the Lord’s house and courts, and the coming of “my servant the Branch” is promised | |
| 5 | 4:1–14 | Vision of a lampstand and two olive trees | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) What are these two olive trees . . . ? (v. 11) | The rebuilding of the temple is charged to Zerubbabel and Joshua and will occur by the power of the Lord |
| 6 | 5:1–4 | Vision of a flying scroll | Covenant curses will come upon the covenant breaker, e.g., the one who steals and the one who swears falsely | |
| 7 | 5:5–11 | Vision of a woman in the basket (ephah), later carried away by two women | What is it? (v. 6) Where are they taking the basket? (v. 10) | “Wickedness”—symbolized by the presence of the woman—will be removed to Babylon (Shinar) |
| 8 | 6:1–8 | Vision of four chariots pulled by strong horses: red, black, white, dappled | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) | The chariots and horses go north (black and white) and south (dappled) to “patrol the earth” |
Zech. 4:1–14 The fifth vision consists of a solid gold lampstand flanked by two olive trees (v. 3). A “lampstand” is almost always a ritual object, especially one made of gold (see Ex. 25:31–40).
Zech. 4:14 The two olive trees are the two anointed ones (see ESV footnote). This “new oil” represents the fertility that flows from God’s blessing (compare Hag. 1:11). The trees produce unlimited amounts of oil for the lampstand. They stand by the Lord of the whole earth as members of his heavenly court. Most interpreters think these anointed ones represent Zerubbabel and Joshua.
Zech. 5:1–4 The sixth vision is of a gigantic scroll, 30 by 15 feet (9 by 4.5 m), flying in midair. The scroll is a covenant document, like the tablets Moses received from the Lord in Ex. 32:15. Its task is to bring the covenant curses to bear on covenant breakers. It uses everyone who steals and everyone who swears falsely as representative examples (Zech. 5:3). All covenant breakers will be cleaned out from the community.
Zech. 5:6–7 The prophet saw a basket holding about three-fifths of a bushel. Inside this small container was their iniquity in all the land, personified as a woman. She was trapped in the basket by a circular leaden cover weighing roughly 75 pounds (34 kg).
Zechariah’s Visions
| Vision | Passage | Content Summary | Zechariah’s Question(s) to the Messenger | Promise/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:7–17 | Vision of horsemen who “patrol the earth” and report the condition of the earth; the Lord promises to build his house in Jerusalem | What are these, my lord? (v. 9) | The Lord is jealous for Jerusalem and promises that his house will be built there and that the Lord’s cities will overflow with prosperity |
| 2 | 1:18–21 | Vision of four horns and four craftsmen: the horns have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen come to terrify and cast down the horns | What are these? (v. 19) What are these coming to do? (v. 21) | The craftsmen will cast down those who have oppressed Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem |
| 3 | 2:1–13 | Vision of a man with a measuring line in his hand who comes to measure Jerusalem | Where are you going? (v. 2) | Jerusalem will be inhabited, and the Lord will be in the midst of his people |
| 4 | 3:1–10 | Vision of Joshua the high priest and the removal of his iniquity as the representative of the people | Joshua the priest will rule the Lord’s house and courts, and the coming of “my servant the Branch” is promised | |
| 5 | 4:1–14 | Vision of a lampstand and two olive trees | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) What are these two olive trees . . . ? (v. 11) | The rebuilding of the temple is charged to Zerubbabel and Joshua and will occur by the power of the Lord |
| 6 | 5:1–4 | Vision of a flying scroll | Covenant curses will come upon the covenant breaker, e.g., the one who steals and the one who swears falsely | |
| 7 | 5:5–11 | Vision of a woman in the basket (ephah), later carried away by two women | What is it? (v. 6) Where are they taking the basket? (v. 10) | “Wickedness”—symbolized by the presence of the woman—will be removed to Babylon (Shinar) |
| 8 | 6:1–8 | Vision of four chariots pulled by strong horses: red, black, white, dappled | What are these, my lord? (v. 4) | The chariots and horses go north (black and white) and south (dappled) to “patrol the earth” |
Zech. 5:5–11 The seventh vision is closely linked to the sixth. It adds exile to the threat of destruction.
Zech. 5:11 The basket of wickedness, lifted up by the two women (v. 9), is to be taken to a new location in the land of Shinar (Babylon). There a house, or temple, will be built for it. All idolaters will be removed and will never again trouble God’s people.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | Zechariah 1-5
Life proves to be challenging with its trials and tribulations. We find ourselves in the midst of adversity all too often. We experience pain. We experience suffering. But we can take heart because God cares for us, even if we don't always feel it.
Zechariah was familiar with this experience. Through this prophet, we get to explore God's message of restoration to a people in despair. Zechariah is one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament and lived when the Jewish population was returning to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile around 520-470 B.C. His book is known for his visions, message of repentance, restoration, and prophecies about the Messiah. Zechariah means "the Lord remembers," which perfectly conveys his main message: God cares for and is with his people through life's trials.
In Zechariah 4:6, we see that Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, was called by the Lord to carry out the difficult task of rebuilding God's temple in a destroyed Jerusalem. Although Zerubbabel had to do the work, God was the one who equipped him to complete it.
In this one verse, we see multiple aspects of God's character: His sovereignty in calling Zerubbabel to build the temple, God's grace in giving Zerubbabel his Spirit to accomplish the work, and God's love in encouraging him that he was not left alone to complete the task.
Just as God's Spirit strengthened Zerubbabel, the Holy Spirit empowers us today to live a life devoted to God (Galatians 5:16) by setting our eyes toward Jesus Christ. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, perfectly carried out the Father's will through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus experienced the depths of human pain by enduring the anguish of the cross. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus saved us from our sin and demonstrated God's restorative power and love for us (Colossians 1:20).
As we face life's challenges, we can trust that God remembers us, is sovereign, and is reconciling us to himself through Christ, promising he "will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
This month's memory verse
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
– Matthew 11:28-30
Discussion Questions
1. Read Zechariah 3 and answer the following questions:
- How do verses 3:1-7 play into believers' lives today? How do these verses provide comfort and encouragement for believers to live lives pleasing to God?
- What does it mean to be "a brand plucked from the fire"? Read Amos 4:11 and Jude 23 to help you answer.
- How does Jesus fulfill the messianic roles of the promised Branch, engraved stone with seven eyes, vine, and fig tree mentioned in Zechariah 3:8-10? What does each role reveal about Jesus' character and his ministry? Provide Scriptures to support your answer.
2. Describe your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Would you say you are dependent on him to help you kill sin and get closer to Jesus? What sin can you use his strength to help defeat?
3. Explain the relationship between a believer choosing to follow God's commands and God's grace in helping believers overcome sin and live for him. How does your answer connect with Scriptures such as Zechariah 1:3-4; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 4:16; and 1 Corinthians 10:13?