Study questions, maps, charts, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament book of Zechariah.
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Basics
- Author: Zechariah was both priest and prophet (Nehemiah 12:12-16).
- Zechariah was born in Babylon and returned to Jerusalem in the first group under Zerubbabel.
- Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai.
- Chapters 1-8 are dated 520-518 BC.
- Scholars think chapters 9-14 were written at a later date, c. 480-470 BC after the reign of Dairus I (521-486 BC) and during Xerxes reign (485-464 BC). Xerxes married Esther.
- According to Jewish tradition, Zechariah was a member of the Great Synagogue (a predecessor of the Sanhedrin).
- Zechariah was murdered between the temple and the altar (Matthew 23:35).
Chronology
- 538 – Zerubbabel and first return of the exiles (Ezra 1-6).
- 536 BC – Work on the temple begins (Ezra 3:8).
- 530-520 BC – Work on the temple stops (Ezra 4:24).
- 520 BC – Work on the temple resumes (Ezra 5:2).
- 520 BC – Events of the book of Haggai
- 520-518 BC – Events of Zechariah 1-8.
- 516 BC – Work on the temple is completed.
References to the Messiah in Zechariah
- The Branch or Sprout: Zec 3:8; Zec 6:12; Heb 6:20-7:1
- Entry of Zion’s Lowly King: Zec 9:9-17; Mat 21:4-5; Joh 12:13-16
- Sale of Jesus by Judas: Zec 11:4-14; Mt 27:9.
- Mourning over the Pierced One: Zec 12:10; Joh 19:37
- Fountain opened for sin: Zec 13:1
- The Smitten Servant: Zec 13:7-9
- Glory of Jerusalem the Center of World Worship: Zec 2:10-11; Zec 14:8; Zec 14:20;
- At His Second Coming He will be crowned King: Zec 14:5, 9; Rev. 11:15; 21:27
Genre: Understanding Prophecy
Background
Introduction to the Exile & Return
Chart: Bible History at a glance
Blue Letter Bible: Old Testament Timeline
Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament
Timeline of the Babylonian Captivity
Minor Prophets Quotes in the NT
BibleHistory.com: List of the Kings of Persia
Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
ESV: Introduction to Zechariah
ESV: The Global Message of Zechariah
NIV: Introduction to the Minor Prophets
NIV: Introduction to Zechariah
James van Dine: Analysis of Zechariah
David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction to the Book of Zechariah
David Malick: An Argument of the Book of Zechariah
JVernon McGee: Zechariah – Introductory Notes, Outlines
Charles Swindoll: Book of Zechariah Overview
Maps from Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (1)
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2)
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (3)
Conflicts between Israel and Aram-Damascus
The Golden Ages of the 9th & 8th centuries BCE
Phoenician Trade and Civilization
Trade Routes throughout the Middle East
Israel & Judah in the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah
The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III
Fall of Samaria and Deportation of Israelites
The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel
Assyrian Districts after the Fall of Samaria
Prophets of the 8th Century BCE
Judah Alone amid International Powers
Hezekiah’s Preparation for Revolt
Sennacherib’s Campaign against Judah
Assyria in the 7th century BCE
The Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
The Districts of Judah under King Josiah
Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns against Judah
The Persian Period
World Powers of the 6th century BCE
The Conquests of Cyrus the Great
The Return of the Jewish Exiles to Judah
ESV Study Bible Maps
Key Words
Lord (110x)
Jerusalem (37x) – Strong’s H3389 in Zec 1:12; Zec 1:14; Zec 1:16; Zec 1:17; Zec 1:19; Zec 2:2; Zec 2:4; Zec 2:12; Zec 3:2; Zec 7:7; Zec 8:3; Zec 8:4; Zec 8:8; Zec 8:15; Zec 8:22; Zec 9:9; Zec 9:10; Zec 12:2; Zec 12:3; Zec 12:5; Zec 12:6; Zec 12:7; Zec 12:8; Zec 12:9; Zec 12:10; Zec 12:11; Zec 13:1; Zec 14:2; Zec 14:4; Zec 14:8; Zec 14:10; Zec 14:11; Zec 14:12; Zec 14:14; Zec 14:16; Zec 14:17; Zec 14:21.
king (9x) – Strong’s H4428 in Zec 7:1; Zec 9:5; Zec 9:9; Zec 11:6; Zec 14:5; Zec 14:9; Zec 14:10; Zec 14:16; Zec 14:17.
shepherd (5x) – Strong’s H7462a in Zec 10:2; Zec 11:15; Zec 11:16; Zec 11:17; Zec 13:7.
word (13x; word of the LORD) – Strong’s H1697 in Zec 1:1; Zec 1:7; Zec 4:6; Zec 4:8; Zec 6:9; Zec 7:1; Zec 7:4; Zec 7:8; Zec 8:1; Zec 8:18; Zec 9:1; Zec 11:11; Zec 12:1.
branch (3x/2v) – Strong’s H6780 in Zec 3:8; Zec 6:12.
jealous (3x/2v) – Strong’s H7065 in Zec 1:14; Zec 8:2.
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Zechariah, Theology Of
American Tract Society: Zechariah
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Zechariah, Book Of; Zechariah
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Zechariah
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Zechariah, the Book Of; Zechariah
Holman Bible Dictionary: Zechariah, Book Of; Zechariah
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Zechariah, Book Of; Zechariah
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Zechariah
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Zechariah, Book Of; Zechariah (1); Zechariah (2)
McClintock and Strong: Zechariah, Book Of.; Zechariah
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Zechariah
The Jewish Encyclopedia: Zechariah, Book Of
Commentaries & Study Bibles
Ligionier.org Top 5 Commentaries: Zechariah
Tim Challies Best Commentaries:
Commentary Reviews: Zechariah
Walter Kaiser in The Preacher’s Commentary, Vol 23
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Zechariah
Matthew Henry: Zechariah
Albert Barnes Notes: Zechariah
Reformation Study Bible Notes: Zechariah
Geneva Study Bible: Zechariah
Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Zechariah
Articles
Zechariah Minor Prophet With A Major Message — By Stephen C. Ger
Israel’s Divine – Human Messiah An Examination Of Zechariah 13:6-7 — Donald L. Odens
Jack Scofield: Two Terrible Trials
WJ Beecher: The Prophets and the Promise
Charles Feinberg: The Commanding Importance of the Prophetic Scriptures
J Hampton Keathly: Messianic Prophecies
JHampton Keathly: The Minor Prophets
Richard Mayhue: The Prophet’s Watchword: Day of the LORD
William Orr: Keys to Zechariah
GotQuestions.org
Book of Zechariah – Bible Survey
What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets
What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah
What does the Bible mean when it refers to the four winds
Who was the Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-10
Why is wickedness portrayed as a woman in Zechariah 5:7-8
What does the Bible mean when it refers to a “Daughter of Zion” (Zechariah 9:9)
Why would a king ride a donkey instead of a warhorse (Zechariah 9;9-10)
Is Zechariah 11:12-13 a Messianic prophecy
Is Zechariah 12:10 a Messianic prophecy-
Is Zechariah 14:4 a prophecy about the second coming of Christ-
Where does the Old Testament predict the coming of Jesus Christ:
Next: Malachi
Previous: Haggai
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