Chapter 1 –

:1 – 8th month of second year of Darius – Slightly before Haggai’s last prophecy/vision (Hag. 2:10,20); the Jews were making progress in rebuilding the temple, but it still did not seem like much (Hag. 2:3).

:1 – “son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo” – Berechiah was father, Iddo was grandfather.  Berechiah may have died early, because Zechariah is sometimes referred to as “son of Iddo”.

:2 – “angry with your fathers” – the previous generation, because of their sin, were held captive by Babylon for 70 years.

:3 – If Israel repents and turns to God, He will shine his face toward them.

:4 – Don’t follow the example of your fathers, who rejected God’s word and reaped devastation.

:5-6 – The previous generation perished.  The prophets who spoke God’s word to those people perished.  But God’s Word proved to be living and did not go away – it chased those people into bondage and captivity, as God said (it has also brought deliverance, as God proclaimed).

:7 – “the word of the LORD” came as a vision (see v. 8)

:8 – “by night” = when darkness temporarily reigns (until the sun comes forth).  It was dark when Christ was crucified.

:8 – “man riding” = perhaps the same man who spoke with Joshua (Josh. 5:13-15).  He is the Angel of the Lord (either God Himself or a mighty angel).

:8 – “red horse” = Color of blood, signifying the victory God would have over the enemies of his people (Is. 63:2).

:8 – “in the hollow” = hidden by hills.  The hills may represent the high place of the nations surrounding and attacking Israel, whereas “the hollow” shows the humble state of Israel.

:8 – “among the myrtle” = the new life of the people of God (Is. 55:13).  God hides in the midst of his people, and from there He conquers the nations (Is. 45:15).

:8 – “behind  him were horses: red, sorrel, and white” – they are behind the first, submitting to his command.  Red = War/blood.  White = glory/victory (Rev. 6:2).  Sorrel = white and black checkered, or brown.  Both of these symbolize a blending or mixing of colors – some good things/times and some bad things/times.  4 total horses to keep charge over the “four corners of the earth”, meaning the totality of the earth, at least where it relates to God’s people.

:10 – the ones who walk about the earth – agents of God, surveying and keeping order over the world (compare Job 1 and 2, Ezekiel 9).

:11 – “all the world is resting” = they are all at ease (Jer. 48:11; Zech. 1:15).  They are self-satisfied and content, though they have attacked and boasted over the people of God, and, thereby, God Himself.

:12 – God brought captivity in Babylon for 70 years, and now they have humble beginnings at rebuilding the temple, so the angel asked when God would show mercy and favor to his people.

:13 – “good and comforting words” – Confirming that His plans were good and comforting

:14 – “Proclaim” – Zechariah is told to proclaim God’s word, just as John was at Patmos (Rev. 1:1).

:14 – “I am zealous for Jerusalem” – God takes personally anything done to Israel (as Jesus with the church, Acts. 9:4, and as a husband would toward his wife, a father would towards the son who bears his name, etc.)

:15 – because the nations took pleasure in chastising Israel, God is angry with them (God will judge and rebuke his people, even through others, but He is not happy when people take delight, or think they were solely responsible, in being the agents of judgment).

:16 – “my house shall be built in it” = where I reside and my people rest.

:16 – “surveyor’s line” = to measure; shows that God will ensure everything in Israel is done to his perfect specifications and order.

:17 – “cities” – it is plural here, showing other cities that will be under God’s City (see 3:11)

:17 – “comfort” (see also, “mercy” in v. 16) – agrees with God’s word to the Angel (v. 13).

:18 – “raised my eyes” = he is looking above, towards heaven – the heavenly reality is revealed (see 2 Kings 6:17)

:18-19 – “four horns” = symbolic of all the nations (the world is symbolized by 4 – 4 directions, 4 corners, 4 winds [2:6]…earlier in chapter, 4 horsemen cover the earth [2:8-10]); could also be specific to the four nations Daniel sees as beasts (Dan. 7).

:20 – “four craftsmen” = ultimately, spiritual agents; could be seen typically in Zerubbabel, Joshua, Ezra, Nehemiah.  Craftsmen know and specialize in taking care of these kinds of things.

:21 – “no one could lift up his head” – spiritual implication is that they were not able to see/focus on the things of heaven (see comment on v. 18)

:21 – “craftsmen are coming to terrify them” – their job is to wield horns, and they do it precisely and perfectly, destroying the powers at work against the church.

Chapter 2 – 

  • :1 – “raised my eyes” – again he is looking up, into heavenly things (see 1:18 notes)
    • “man with measuring line” – as in Rev. 11:1 and Ezekiel 40:3 – he is holding God’s standard of precision and correctness
  • :2 – “To measure Jerusalem” – the focus is on Jerusalem, and its standard
    • “width and length” – the object is to make room for a spreading population (as in Is. 54:2), therefore, height is not needed in this measurement
  • :4 – “run” – this is an urgent message that the people of God need to hear.
    • “young man” – he may not naturally understand what you are doing, but he can’t neglect to miss this.
    • “inhabited…towns without walls” – new life is going to come to Jerusalem, overtaking its former boundaries (compare Is. 54:1-2 with Gal. 4:27)
  • :5 – “I…will be a wall of fire all around her” – God will be their protection; fire cannot be climbed or broken down, it is impossible to penetrate without destroying yourself.
    • “I will be the glory in her midst” – Not only will they be “in God” (as He surrounds them in a wall of fire), but God will be “in them”; his glory and presence dwelling with them (see 2:11); ultimately, this is fulfilled in Christ.
  • :6 – “land of the north” is Babylon (see Jer. 1:14, for instance); it may be called this because they would invade Israel from the North.
    • “Flee…” – similar to Rev. 18:4; there were some Jews who didn’t want to leave Babylon (they were born there and comfortable there, and didn’t want the challenge of returning to Israel), but God wants them to return to Israel and live in Babylon no more.
    • “spread…like the four winds of heaven” – four is symbolic of the full range of the world (see notes on 1:8); God had dispersed them throughout Babylon and into other places (Esther 1 shows Jews dispersed over 127 provinces, from India to Ethiopia).
  • :7 – “daughter of Babylon” – an idiom for Babylon; daughter of Babylon is contrasted with “daughter of Zion” (v.10); also reflects God not wanting His Son (Israel, as God sometimes called them – Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1) to mix with Babylon’s daughter
  • :8 – “Lord of Hosts” = Jesus
    • “He sent Me” – God sent Jesus, his messenger
    • “to the nations” – Psalm 2:7-9; Rev. 12:5
    • “apple of His eye” – that is, the apple of God’s eye.  This is an incredibly sensitive and delicate part that is part of a man, so is Israel to God.  God takes everything done to Jerusalem personally, as a husband would his wife, or a father his child (who bears his name).
  • :9 – “LORD of hosts has sent Me.” – This is said by one who was called, “the LORD of hosts” (2:8).  Shows divinity of Christ, who also recognized his responsibility to obey the Father.
    • “Then you will know…” – the evidence that Jesus came from Heaven is seen in his power over the nations, “shaking his hand against them,” and bringing them to serve Him and His people (see Rev. 3:9)
  • :10 – “daughter of Zion” – contrasts with “daughter of Babylon” (2:7)
    • “I am coming” – in ultimate sense, this refers to Jesus, though it seems to refer to God’s moving in Israel, too (see 2:13).
    • “I will dwell in your midst” – God’s presence will come to them, and Jesus did this literally
  • :11 – “Many nations…joined” – This happened in a temporal sense during the time before Christ, when many Gentiles were proselytized into Israel (Matt. 23:15), but ultimate fulfillment is found when Gentiles and Jews join together in Body of Christ.
    • “that day” – meaning, at that time; though, also literally fulfilled at day of Christ’s crucifixion
    • “they shall become My people” – like the “cities” of 1:17
    • “Then you will know…” – same thing said in v. 9; here we see that the salvation of the Gentiles, and their incorporation into Israel, is the evidence that Jesus was sent by God. 
  • :12 – “will again choose Jerusalem” – Like Haggai saying, “the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former” (Hag. 2:9).  God will again show his favor on his people.
  • :13 – “Be silent” – contrasts with “Sing and rejoice” of 2:10.  The world (“all flesh”) must be speechless, because God is “rending the heavens” (Is. 64:1), and is coming to earth in power.  No flesh will be able to say or do anything in the wake of this.  It will be terror for the world, but glory for God’s people.

Chapter 3

  • :1 – “He showed me” – God showed him the situation as it was in God’s eyes, not in the eyes of the world.
    • “Joshua, the high priest” – A type for Christ, our high priest (Heb. 3:1).  Jesus’ name was the same as Joshua, and both Joshua’s in the Old Testament were types of Christ.
    • “The Angel of the Lord” = Jesus – who is the judge here, but also shows mercy (3:4)
    • “Satan…to oppose” – Satan means “accuser”.  So he was in Job and Revelation 12:10, as well as here.  Satan would try to oppose this work from happening, on account of the sins/filthiness ascribed to the high priest.  
  • :2 – “The LORD” = God the Father.
    • “The LORD rebuke you, Satan!” – Satan was rebuked on God’s authority.  Joshua said nothing during this exchange.  (Jude 1:9).
    • “The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!” – Satan’s charges were rebuked because God’s choice was Jerusalem, and He purposed to build up Jerusalem.  In a similar way, Jesus’ work on the cross rebukes Satan, and God’s motivation for doing this was the building up of the Church, the heavenly Jerusalem.
    • “A brand plucked from the fire” – Destruction was marked for him, because of his sins, but God took him out of the fire.  Notice, Joshua did not remove himself from the fire of destruction.  God removed him.  Similarly, we are removed by God from the destruction of hell, and Satan has no claim on us who know the Lord’s forgiveness on the cross.
  • :3 – “filthy garments” = his iniquity (v. 4).  The covering we wear reflects our righteousness before God (Rev. 19:7-8).  Here, Joshua is seen as being unrighteous.  And, since he was Israel’s high priest, he carried the iniquity of Israel with him.
    • “standing before the Angel” – no man could stay standing before God with iniquity and sin.  Satan, knowing this, accuses him and tries to thwart any mercy God would show Joshua or Israel, on account of their sin, “filthy garments”.
  • :4 – “He answered” – God answered the problem.  Joshua was unable to answer the problem of his iniquity, and Satan accused him of this, so God spoke for the sins of Joshua.
    • “those who stood before him” – heavenly beings ministering on behalf of God’s salvation (see Heb. 1:14).
    • “Take away the filthy garments” – He does not take away the man, Joshua.  Instead, he takes away the sin that he carries, which was as filthy garments covering him.
    • “iniquity” = filthy garments
    • “I will clothe you with rich robes” – Not only does God take away our sin, He clothes us with righteousness.  The high priest was required to wear holy garments – for beauty and for glory (Ex. 28:2).
  • :5 – “I said” – Now, Zechariah makes a plea and prayer on behalf of Joshua.  It would seem that God purposefully left this out, waiting for Zechariah’s intercession.
    • “clean turban” – as the high priests wore (Ex. 28:36-38).  Symbolizes that their head and authority (ultimately symbolizing God) must be clean, and when the head is clean and holy, the cleanness of the body follows.
    • “So they put…” – the heavenly beings responded to Zechariah’s intercession
    • “they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him” – The head is mentioned as being covered first, and the clothes follow.  All blessings of the body (symbolizing the church) start and are organized by the head (symbolizing Christ).
    • “the Angel of the LORD stood by” – He was part of this, and endorsed this by remaining there.  He was able to stay in this man’s midst, because he was being newly clothed with holiness and righteousness, otherwise, the two could not remain in this close fellowship, because God is holy.  
  • :6 – “The Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua” – After he was made righteous, he had to hear God’s word to walk in it.
  • :7 – “If you will…” – Joshua is told to walk in obedience, if he is to rule the people and have a place and authority in heaven
    • “Then you shall also judge…have charge” – His ruling is conditional upon his faithfulness and obedience.  Even though he has been made righteous (3:4-5), his authority over the church is conditional upon his obedience (Jesus met this condition, see Heb. 10:9).
    • “I will give you places to walk/ Among these who stand here” – a place and authority in heaven.
  • :8 – “You and your companions who sit before you” – Joshua, the high priest, and the other priests who sat under him.
    • “they are a wondrous sign” – As was said of Isaiah and his wife (Is. 8:18).  The sign speaks of Jesus (“the BRANCH”), and all who serve Him, those who are made “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6) (the branches that extend from the original BRANCH, see John 15:4).
    • “I am bringing forth…” – it is God who brought forth Jesus
    • “My Servant the BRANCH” – Jesus (see Isaiah 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5,15)  who is the beginning of new life to all who come to Him.
  • :9 – “For behold” – What is about to be said has connection with the bringing forth of the BRANCH.
    • “the stone” = Christ, the Chief Cornerstone (Ps. 118:22-24).  As the branch is the beginning and root of the tree, so the cornerstone is the beginning and foundation of a house/temple.
    • “I have laid before Joshua” – it was to be the focus of Joshua and the other men, of which they were types.
    • “Upon the stone are seven eyes” – Either seven eyes looking at it, showing that the whole world (or the whole church) would see it and what God is doing through it (Rev. 1:7).  Or, more probably, the eyes are part of the stone, revealing the fullness of the Spirit and wisdom that Christ had (Rev. 5:6; Luke 1:80; 2:40).
    • “I will engrave its inscription” – The engraving comes from God.  It is the markings meant to beautify the stone, though, in Christ’s case, the markings God gave Him were the stripes and beatings that healed the world.
    • “remove the iniquity…in one day” – this chapter begins with Joshua (who bore Israel) having his iniquity removed.  Now, it is revealed that he is a type of the Stone/BRANCH by which God will remove sins in a single day (a consequence of the engraving of the stone).  (See Psalm 118:24 and Daniel 9:24).  As the sins of Israel were removed 1 day out of the year (Day of Atonement), so the sins of mankind were removed forever in 1 day.
  • :10 – “In that day” – in light of that day; beginning and starting from that day
    • “invite his neighbor” – evangelism towards the world, bringing them to know the fruit and shade of Christ.
    • “Under his vine and under his fig tree” – Showing the shade and fruit that comes from Christ and his work on the cross.  We are under his care, protected from the scorching sun and filled with fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). 

Chapter 4

  • :1 – “Wakened me” – Zechariah had fallen asleep, perhaps under the power of what he had seen (as Daniel in 10:9).  The angel got his attention, because he wanted him to see this.
  • :2 – “lampstand of gold” = church/Israel (God’s people)
    • “bowl on top” = a place where the oil was constantly drained into the lamp.  Therefore, they had no need of the labor of men to keep the light lit (Lev. 24:1-4)
    • “seven lamps” = completion of light that God’s people would have towards the world, because of Holy Spirit
    • “seven pipes” = constant connection with the oil (symbolic of Holy Spirit), so that the light would never die or run out.
  • :3 – “Two olive trees” – similar to Revelation 11:4.  Olive tree is endless supply of oil (from pressed olives, see Lev. 24:2).
    • “Two” = an established matter, confirmed that there would be no lack of oil (Deut. 19:15; Ecclesiastes 4:12)
  • :4 – “What are these?” – Meaning, What do the olive trees represent?  Or, What do all these things mean?
  • :6 – “This is the word of the LORD” = The vision is meant as a word from God (like 1:7-8).
    • “Zerubbabel” = of the tribe of Judah; currently residing as prince of Jews
    • “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” – The vision shows that it would not be human power and efforts that secured the temple and Jerusalem, but it would happen by God’s Spirit (symbolized in olive trees).
  • :7 – “great mountain” – the opposition of enemy forces, ultimately rooted in Satan
    • “become a plain” – by God’s power, you would be removed and not be able to resist the work I will initiate through Zerubbabel.
    • “capstone” – or headstone, spoken of in 3:9.  Ultimately represents Christ (see also Psalm 118:22-24).  This is different than the foundation stone (which is not seen).  Rather, this is the connecting stone that holds the two walls together, and upon which the rest of the building is built.
    • “He shall bring forth the capstone” – it will not be resisted, the temple will be built
    • “Shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” – Only by God’s work and grace will this happen and stand  
  • :9 – Zerubbabel began and finished this temple – a type of Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
    • “Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you” – this was said in 2:9, 11.  This time, it is the building of the temple that signifies Jesus was sent of God.  2:9 and 2:11 show that the conquering of enemies and the conversion of nations (different ways of explaining the same event?) would confirm Jesus coming from God.  This happens in the building of the spiritual temple (see Eph. 2:19-22), thus, all three verses seem to speak of the same thing, though with different angles and details.
  • :10 – “who has despised the day of small things” – from a human standpoint, there was not enough people/power/”life” to succeed.  Therefore, even the Jews doubted that it would happen.
    • “these seven…they are the eyes of the LORD” – described in 3:9.  Shows the perfect wisdom and fullness of the Spirit (Rev. 5:6) by which God will use Zerubbabel to build the temple in the right manner.
      • “Which scan to and fro throughout the earth” – out of all the people in the world, Zerubbabel was the best one for the job (especially if God is alluding to Christ, of whom Zerubbabel is a type).  Or the eyes are all focused on the stone from which the temple would be built (3:9).  It also could serve as validation of God’s word, since it comes from Him who knows/sees all things.
    • “plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel” – he would verify accuracy and precision in the work, making sure it met God’s standards
  • :11 – “What are these two olive trees…?” – perhaps repeating the question stated in 4:4.
  • :12 – “What are these two olive branches…? – Branches are only a part of the tree.  They get their oil from the fullness of the tree, but they are not, in themselves, the fullness of the tree.
    • “That drip into the receptacles…” – these branches served as conduits of the oil that continued without ceasing (like the widow’s oil, 2 Kings 4).
    • “golden oil” – it was golden, matching the lampstand (4:2)
  • :13 – the angel repeats the initial answer he gave in verse 5.
  • :14 – “the two anointed ones” – branches, not the full trees.  In the immediate historical context, these would be Joshua (the priest) and Zechariah (the prince/king).  Thus completing the visions shown in chapters 3 and 4.  Both of them were with the stone, by which the temple was built (3:9 and 4:7).  In the fuller/eternal context, this must refer to 2 other agents, of whom the priest and king would be types.  Matthew Henry thinks it is Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  This could also point to two different aspects of Jesus (the king and priest).  However, in Revelation 11, this seems to refer to the Spirit and the Word, and maybe this is the ultimate fulfillment of the king and the priest (who both ministered by the Spirit and Word).
    • “who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth” – Joshua is seen standing there (3:1), and Zerubbabel is seen in the presence of God’s eyes (4:10).
    • “Lord” = Master, not God.  Perhaps this is another way of saying God, or perhaps this refers to the Angel of the LORD.

Chapter 5

  • :1 – “I turned” – shows that there is a new/different sequence that Zechariah is seeing.
    • “raised my eyes” – it is something out of the heavenlies, for he had to look up to see it.
    • “flying scroll” – it came from heaven and dwells there, the words of the scroll are God’s words.
      • “flying” – shows the swiftness with which God’s word would come.
  • :2 – “length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits” – these are the same dimensions of the porch in front of the main sanctuary of the temple (see 1 Kings 6:3); perhaps this alludes to judgment beginning at the house of God, and they be found wanting (1 Peter 4:17).
  • :3 – “the curse” – shows the death that comes when your standards do not match God’s
    • “whole earth” – it may begin at God’s house, but extends to all who are guilty.  Or, this may speak of the whole of Israel as the whole earth (perhaps similarly to the beast of the earth symbolizing a false Church, Rev. 13, where the earth is specifically noted).
    • “every thief…every perjurer” – there is a lack of love toward the brethren, which shows a lack of God’s life (1 Jn. 3:14-15).
    • double-sided scroll – like Ezekiel’s (Eze. 2:9-10), and the one in Revelation (Rev. 5:1); E. B. Elliot says that one side of these kinds of scrolls will give the main message, and the other side gives a more detailed explanation.  A testimony of 2 witnesses is confirmed, and thus the testimony of the scroll is confirmed in the counsels of God.
  • :4 – “I will send out the curse” – God sends the curse
    • “It shall enter the house of the thief” – It is now invading houses, presumably, the same houses where the people were relaxed and at ease though they offended God (see Zech. 1:11,15)
    • “swears falsely by My name” – indicates that this is hypocrisy and falsehood among God’s people
    • The curse consumes their houses – this is contrasted to the indestructible building up of God’s house (see Zech. 3 and 4, specifically 4:7).  They sought to build up their own house, instead of God’s house, that is, his people.
  • :5 – “the angel…said to me, ‘Lift your eyes,’” – In 4:1, he had to be woken up.  In 5:1, he saw on his own volition.  Here, he must be directed by the angel
    • “Lift your eyes” – Again, the setting is in the heavenlies
  • :6 – “a basket” – Hebrew is ephah, which holds ten times what Israel collected daily in manna (Ex. 16:36), and is the amount Ruth gleaned in the fields (Ruth 2:17).  Here, it indicates a sufficient enough portion (as it did with Ruth (see Ruth 2:18) in which their sins had filled up (Matt. 23:32).
    • “going forth” – What the basket carries (the weight and consequence of sin) is already going forth
    • “their resemblance” – Shows how God viewed them and their sin.
  • :7 – “lead disc” – this is what covered them and sealed their sin within the basket.  Alternate translations say this is a talent, which corresponds with the weight of the lampstand (Ex. 25:39), symbolizing the true church (Rev. 1:20).  This is also the weight of the hail that fell “upon men” (Rev. 16:21).  This kept the sin within the basket, out of the presence of the church.
    • “lifted up” – it was temporarily removed to reveal what the basket contained
    • “woman sitting inside” – similar to the prostitute of Babylon that depicted the false church system and sinfulness amidst Christians in pretense (Rev. 17:1)  
  • :8 – “This is Wickedness!” – that is, the woman, who symbolized their sinfulness, is truly the epitome of wickedness.
    • “thrust her down into the basket” – God would not allow this sin to remain in his church.
    • “lead cover over its mouth” – the pronouncement of judgment on the sin, keeping it separate and removed from God’s people.
  • :9 – “Raised my eyes” – Again, sees something in heaven, related to this matter.
    • “two women” – a contrasting image of God’s two anointed ones, who built up the church (Zech. 4:14).  Or it could be a different depiction of the same two witnesses of 4:14.
    • “wind in their wings” – they were carried on by a force of heaven, the wind, God’s own Spirit (see John 3 and Acts 2).
    • “wings like the wings of a stork” – a stork’s wings are strong an powerful; this shows that God’s purposes will surely come to pass by his strength.
    • “between earth and heaven” – where sin was condemned, in shadow with the bronze serpent (Num. 21), and in substance with Christ on the cross (John 3).  These sins were rejected by earth and by heaven.
  • :11 – “build a house for it” – instead of a tent, which is a temporary dwelling, a house indicates a permanent dwelling (see Jer. 29:5,28).  The sins of Israel would rest in Babylon permanently.
    • “Shinar” – the land of the tower of Babel (Gen. 10:10; 11:2); it refers to Babylon, but reveals that the sin and substance of Babylon is related to that of Babel.
    • “when it [the basket, representing their wickedness] is ready” – when the sins have been filled up to an exceeding point (an ephah in symbolic measurement).
    • “on its base” – ensuring the wickedness (as embodied in the woman in the basket) would have no ability to escape or the lead disc be lifted from sealing her in.

Chapter 6

  • :1 – “I turned” – the beginning of a new vision
    • “raised my eyes” – he had to look up, again, to focus on what was happening in heaven.
    • “four chariots” – the progression of the four horsemen of Zech. 1.  Initially, they were only surveying the land, but now they are prepared for battle.
      • “four” = the number of the world.  These chariots were going forth to the world.
    • “from between two mountains…of bronze” – they begin their battle from two bronze mountains.
      • “two” – the matter is established (as it is with 2 or 3 witnesses)
      • “bronze” – also shows that the matter is fixed and cannot be changed.  It is a certain judgment of God.
      • “mountains” – symbolic of things that dwell in the heavens, though they touch the earth and are of mighty strength to the people of earth
    • “two mountains” – similar to the two women who carried the basket (5:9), and the two anointed ones who stand before God (4:14).  The progression is thus: Establish God’s temple by two witnesses (Zech. 4)  rid the church of sin by two women (Zech. 5)  judge the world from two mountains (Zech. 6).
  • :2 – 1st chariot: red horses – red is typically symbolic of blood, warfare, carnage (Rev. 14:20)
    • 2nd chariot: black horses – black is typically symbolic of death (think of the world becoming dark when Christ died).
  • :3 – 3rd chariot: white horses – white is symbolic of victory and conquering (Rev. 6:2)
    • 4th chariot: dappled horses – symbolizing diversity
    • “strong steeds” – these are the forces of God, who will prevail as a result of their strength.  This may also show that the 4th chariot was especially strong, like Rome, the 4th kingdom of Daniel’s visions, is said to be (Dan. 7:7).
    • In chapter 1, the horses were: (1) Red, (2) Red, (3) Sorrel/brown, (4) White.  In chapter 6, they are: (1) Red, (2) Black, (3) White, (4) Dappled.
  • :5 – “four spirits of heaven” – like the four winds of heaven (Zech. 2:6).  They are messengers enacting God’s heavenly purposes (compare Psalm 104:4 with Hebrews 1:7)
    • “from their station…” – like the horsemen sent throughout the earth (Zech. 1:10)
  • :6 – “the one with the black horses” – this is the 2nd chariot, perhaps indicating that the vision picks up after the bloodshed/carnage/fighting had occurred (which may be represented in the first horse, which was red).  If the first chariot represents Babylon, then the second chariot may represent Medo-Persia, which brought death and destruction to the land of Babylon.
    • “going to the north country” – North country is Babylon (Jeremiah 1:14; Zech. 2:6).  The black horses may show that death and desolation, instead of the triumph she previously knew, is coming to Babylon.
    • “the white are going after them” – After the death/destruction comes to Babylon, a new power will come in victory (either speaking of the victory of Medo-Persia over that land, or the victory of Greece over Medo-Persia, which makes sense since Greece is the 3rd kingdom of Daniel’s visions [Dan. 2 and 7] and this is the 3rd chariot.
    • “the dappled are going toward the south country” – This is the 4th chariot, perhaps symbolizing Rome, the 4th kingdom of Daniel’s visions.  The south country is Egypt (see Dan. 11).  By the conquering of Egypt, Rome’s kingdom was firmly established.
      • “dappled” – perhaps corresponding to the mixture within Rome (Dan. 2:41-42)
  • :7 – “to and fro throughout the earth” – as Satan traveled (Job 1:7).  “The earth” may mean the world surrounding God’s people.
  • :8 – “north country” = Babylon
    • “given rest to My Spirit in the north country” – God is no longer angry and restless with the nations who were “at ease” about harming God’s people (see Zech. 1:14-15).
  • :9 – “Then the word of the Lord came” – The visions were considered part of God’s word (see Zech. 1:1).  Here, the word is a continuation of what was previously presented
  • :10 – “gift from the captives” – symbolic of God’s people (“the gift”) being brought out of their captivity in Babylon (which the earlier part of the chapter seems to allude to when describing the conquest of “the north country”).
    • 3 captives return from Babylon here: Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah
    • “enter the house of Josiah…”
      • All 5 names speak something of God
    • “go that same day” – this shows the immediate purpose God had in delivering Israel from Babylon: to glorify the Messiah
  • :11 – “silver and gold” – this was the gift the captives brought (v.10)
    • “elaborate crown…on the head of Joshua…the high priest” – thus showing the combining of king and priest.  This was foreshadowed already in the two anointed ones of 4:14 – Zerubbabel and Joshua.  It was forbidden in the Old Testament for a priest to be king, but Jesus’ combined both.  Also, this shows that Israel was delivered from Babylon to take part in new kingdom: God’s kingdom (see Micah 2:12-13 and Col. 1:13).
  • :12 – “whose name is the BRANCH” – the BRANCH refers to Jesus (see 3:8).  Joshua in Hebrew is the same word as Jesus in Greek.  It means, “Jehovah saves”.
    • “from his place He shall branch out” – He is called the BRANCH because His life and ministry will extend beyond Him
    • “He shall build the temple of the LORD” – In Spiritual terms, the temple refers to the church.  Jesus is the cornerstone and builder of this temple.
  • :13 – “He shall bear the glory” – When the temple is built, Jesus will get the credit and the fame.
    • “sit and rule on his throne” – the building of the temple brings God’s kingdom, of which Jesus will sit as king.
    • “priest on his throne” – Jesus is High Priest as well as King of Kings.  He has also made us kings and priests
  • :14 – “a memorial” – Jesus’ kingship is a reminder that we have escaped from the kingdom of captivity to build Jesus’ temple and kingdom.
  • :15 – “those from afar” = Gentiles/ people of other nations than Israel (Eph. 2:17)
    • “come and build the temple” – Gentiles will be involved in establishing this new temple and serving Jesus the King.
    • “Then you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you” – this is the 4th time this statement is said: (1) When enemy nations are conquered (2:9), (2) When outside nations are converted (2:11), (3) When the temple is built (4:9), and now, (4) When those from afar help build the temple.  All of these events indicate that when the Gentiles are incorporated with building the temple, and the temple is finally built, those things will prove that Jesus was truly sent by God.  
    • “And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey…” – for the Jews to be part of the blessing of Messiah and for them to “know that the LORD of hosts has sent” Jesus, they need to obey God (which we know many of them did not, and thus were blinded to Jesus’ ministry).

Chapter 7

  • :1 – “4th year of King Darius…4th day of ninth month” – approximately 2 years and 1 month after the visions began (see Zech. 1:1).
  • :2 – the people sent delegates to God’s house (the temple that was in the process of being built), to pray to God.
  • :3 – “to ask the priests…and the prophets” – they went to seek God via the priests and prophets
    • “weep and fast” – apparently, they had religiously mourned and fasted for the 5th and 7th months of their captivity (see 7:5).  They were wondering if they should still show grief over the sins committed long ago, or if it is a new season where they were asked to move on from death, captivity, and mourning.
  • :4 – “then the word of the LORD came” – it came in response to the question of the people.
  • :5 – “and to the priests” – the priests are here distinguished from the people.  This should have meaning for Christians who are all called priests, and, thus, have a special honor and role placed on them.
    • “did you really fast for Me?” – God rebukes the motives of their fast.  He says they did it purely out of obligation, and not from a heart seeking to please God.
  • :6 – “when you eat and drink…” – God shows that furthermore, they do not consider God in their eating and drinking, wondering whether He would be pleased by their actions.
  • :7 – “Should you not have obeyed…” – When Jerusalem was filled with life and prosperity, your fathers should have obeyed God’s word, and you would have never known the captivity and mourning.
    • “you” – though the fault lied with their fathers, they were seen as one with them in the guilt.  Similarly, we suffer for the sins of Adam, our first father.
  • :8 – “Then” – The word of the LORD came anew to Zechariah.
  • :9 – “Thus says the LORD…” – This is what God truly wants/wanted them to do, even more than fasting as a reaction to what happened to them:
    • “Execute true justice,/ Show mercy and compassion/ Everyone to his brother.” – a command to love and seek to honor the brethren (1 John 3:14)
  • :10 – A continuation of pleas to honor and love the brethren.
  • :11 – “But they refused” – Now, God differentiates “them” from “you”.  He is speaking of the sins that caused the captivity.
    • “shrugged their shoulders” – showing indifference
    • “stopped their ears” – did not hear and receive God’s word
  • :12 – “hearts like flint” – Hardened their hearts
    • “Thus great wrath came” – This attitude grieved God more than their decision to fast or eat.
  • :13 – God treats them according to their own actions: They didn’t listen to Him, so He does not listen when they called out to be protected from the calamity.
  • :14 – “a whirlwind” – the Jews were scattered fiercely and quickly by the Babylonians.
    • “among all the nations” – the Babylonians primarily, though they later were subservient to Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, etc.
    • the land was desolate – it was not taken by another group of people, but was given up to animals and barrenness, ready for the Jews to receive back when they returned.

Chapter 8

  • :2 – similar to Zech. 1:14.  Last chapter it showed his zeal by his rebuke.  This chapter shows his zeal by showing his favor.
  • :3 – “I will return” – God’s presence and favor would return.
  • :4 – “Old men…sit” – there is peace; people are not dying unnaturally
    • “staff in his hand” – like Jacob (Heb. 11:21).  They naturally lean more on the strength of something else.  Shows that God’s favor does not mean perfect health and vitality in this life (otherwise, they would not need to lean on any staff).
  • :5 – “boys and girls/ Playing in its streets” – contrast this with Lamentations 2:11-12; 4:18.
  • :6 – “If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant…in these days” – Those who are faithful to God, and trust in his mercies, still realize how far they are from the peace and favor of God promised here.  It seems “too marvelous” to them.
    • “Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?” – Though the people find it hard to believe, God, who is capable of doing all things, does not think it so “marvelous” and unbelievable to fulfill. 
  • :7 – saved from east and west – perhaps symbolic of being saved from all their surrounding forces (see Matt. 8:11-12).  This refers to where they are held in bondage.  God will release them from their captors in the east and west.
  • :8 – “I will bring them back” – it is God who draws them back, and sets them free.
  • :9 – “You who have been hearing in these days” – those who were currently living in Jerusalem, especially those working on building the temple.
    • “the foundation was laid” – that is, the foundation of the temple
  • :10 – “before these days…” – before God’s redemptive and restorative act towards Jerusalem
    • “no wages” – there was such a scarce that they couldn’t supply the needs or wants of those who worked
    • “no peace” – God allowed attacks to come from all angles
    • “I set…everyone, against his neighbor” – God caused the animosity and rivalry. 
  • :11 – God is showing that it is a new beginning for the remnant
  • :12 – God will bring the blessing of life to Israel
    • “I will cause the remnant…to possess all these” – The remnant would receive God’s life
  • :13 – “a curse” – the nations dreaded having Israel around, because they only inherited calamity
    • “a blessing” – the life of Israel will bless all who are near it
    • “Let your hands be strong” – repeated from 8:9; receiving God’s word had the power to bring strength to their hands
  • :14 – “to wrath” – primarily, this was seen in the Babylonian destruction
  • :15 – “I am determined to do good” – God has determined this, therefore, there’s no need to fear.
  • :16 – “These are the things you shall do…” – all these relate to truth, justice, and love towards the people of God (see 8:8)
  • :17 – “things that I hate” – God has strong feelings against dishonesty, unrighteousness, and evil thoughts.
  • :18 – “Then the word…came” – This is the beginning of a separate unction or stream of thought.
  • :19 – “The fast…” – After clarifying, qualifying, and instruction in the past 2 chapters, God now answers their original question (see 7:3)
    • Fasts of the 4th month, 5th month, 7th month, 10th month shall be changed into feasts.  Originally, the people only asked about fasting and mourning during the 5th month.  Therefore, God’s answer shows that He was truly bringing redemption and newness of life.
    • “Love truth and peace” – among God’s people, the fruit of God’s life being with them (“I will return…and dwell,” Zech. 8:3).
  • :20 – “People…many cities” – partially fulfilled with influx of proselytes (think of Matt. 23:15, ultimately fulfilled with Gentiles becoming part of the church.
  • :21 – “pray before the LORD” – or, “seek the LORD” – this was the mark of their conversion, that they sought God (as Paul was known because he was praying, Acts 9:11).
  • :22 – “strong nations” – even mighty nations will humble themselves before God
    • “seek the LORD…And to pray” – reiterating the activity of verse 21.  This is repeated for emphasis, that this was the sign of their conversion.
  • :23 – “ten men” – ten symbolic of the full number of the Gentiles
    • “every language” – repeats what is said in Revelation
    • “a Jewish man” – perhaps this directly refers to Gentiles coming to Jesus, or being instructed by Paul.  It also could be speaking of the spiritual Jews, that is, the Christians.

Chapter 9

  • :1 – “Damascus” – where Saul was converted
    • “eyes of men” – the Gentiles/ non-believers
    • “Israel” – people of God
    • “Are on the Lord” – they will see His hand.  Israel willingly sees his hand now, others will be forced to see it later.
  • :2 – “borders on it” – the land borders Hadrach and Damascus (see v. 1)
    • “though they are very wise” – spoken ironically; they think they are very wise and will live comfortably off their wisdom, but they are deceived because they don’t seek God’s wisdom (like the Laodicean church in Rev. 3)
  • :3 – Tyre have acted rich and mighty
  • :4 – But God is richer and stronger, and will destroy Tyre
    • “destroy her power in the sea” – Tyre used the sea as its strength, but this did not prove strong enough (much/all (?) fulfilled by Alexander the Great)
    • “devoured by fire” – literally fulfilled when Alexander the Great burned Tyre
  • :5 – “Ashkelon shall see it and fear” – the destruction of Tyre would be sobering for Ashkelon to observe
    • “Gaza also shall be very sorrowful” – when they observe the tragedy against Tyre
    • “Ekron, for He dried up her expectation” – Ekron was farthest north of Philistine cities; they expected Tyre would withstand Alexander and check his progress southward through Philistia to Egypt, but it didn’t happen (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)
    • “King shall perish from Gaza” – “After 2 month’s siege, Gaza was taken by Alexander, 10,000 inhabitants slain, the rest sold as slaves.  Betis the satrap, or petty ‘king,’ was bound to a chariot by thongs thrust through the soles of his feet, and dragged round the city.” (Ibid)
  • :6 – “mixed race” – KJV says, “bastard” – implies that foreigners will invade Ashdod
    • “cut off the pride of the Philistines” – their pride was their national identity, which was compromised by foreigners invading and conquering
  • :7 – “blood…abominations” – showing their idolatry; God would rid their idolatry
    • “he who remains…shall be for our God” – probably refers to a remnant saved from the Philistines
    • “like a leader in Judah” – no distinction made between the Israelite believer and the Gentile believer
    • “Ekron like a Jebusite” – Jebusites originally lived in Jerusalem.  But when David subjugated them, they were incorporated and accepted within Judah (but in a subordinate position) – 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Kings 9:20-21
  • :8 – “My house” – God will protect and dwell with the Jews (especially dwelling in their temple), see Zech. 2:5
    • “Because of the army…him who passes by and him who returns” – specifically, this happened with Alexander when he passed by to Egypt and returned as well.
    • “No more…” – In times past God gave his people over to other nations, but will not do so with Alexander or with others
    • “I have seen with My eyes” – probably meaning God helped Israel (see Ps. 80:14), though it may also reveal God’s renewed focus on Israel as the apple of his eye (Zech. 2:8)
  • :9 – “your King is coming to you” – referring to Jesus being born and reigning as King
    • “Lowly and riding on a donkey” – Because we could not exalt ourselves to reach God, He humbled Himself in coming to us and reigning.
    • “A colt, the foal of a donkey” – a colt is a young, unbroken animal
      • “a donkey tied, and a colt with her” (Matt. 21:2) – the donkey had already been under the yoke, but the colt had not been under the yoke; perhaps this represents Christ reigning over the Jews (symbolized by the donkey) and the Gentiles (symbolized by the colt).
        • If this symbolism be accurate, it also reveals that God takes the humble of the world (those of the Jews and Gentiles) to usher in his Kingdom (1 Cor. 1:26-31)
  • :10 – “cut off the chariot…and the horse” – the power and strength of man, and the articles of war, are no longer needed.
    • Ephraim – represents the 10 tribes
    • Jerusalem – the 2 tribes of Judah and Benjamin
    • “peace to the nations” – Gentiles converted
    • “dominion…from sea to sea” – from the Mediterranean to the extremest East; perhaps the land promised to Israel (Barnes)
    • “from the River to the ends of the earth” – the River is the Euphrates; God’s dominion would extend from Israel to the whole world.
  • :11 – “As for you…because of the blood” – the blood that sanctified them at Sinai (Ex. 24:8; Heb. 9:18-20), and typifies the blood of Christ
    • “free from the waterless pit” – could be referring to those remaining in Babylon, or speaking more generally of the nations that will hold them captive (such as Antiochus Epiphanies did); ultimately, points to the eternal pit all who come to Christ are saved from and the devil is destined for (Rev. 20)
  • :12 – “Return to the stronghold” – historically, seems to refer to Babylonian captives returning to Jerusalem; Jesus is the ultimate stronghold that all are called to.
    • “restore double” – double usually represents newness of life (see also Is. 61:7)
  • :13 – “I have bent Judah, My bow…” – shows the power God will give to his people against their enemies
    • “Against your sons, O Greece” – this happened in the war against the Maccabees and happened without war against Alexander the Great
  • :14 – God will show Himself in the victory they will have over Greece
    • “blow the trumpet” – calling forth battle (Num. 10)
    • “whirlwinds from the south” – see Is. 21:1; such is a picture of a powerful storm
  • :15 – “subdue with slingstones” – either referring to them trampling upon the slingstones of the enemy (see Job 41:28), or indicates that they will not need much natural strength to defeat the enemy, because their God is with them (think of David and Goliath)
    • “as if with wine” – the Spirit of God filling them with triumph (Eph. 5:18)
  • :16 – “jewels of a crown” – God’s enemies are trampled under the feet (as a common thing would be), but His people are cherished above his head (as jewels on his crown) (see Mal. 3:17)
    • “a banner over His land” – they are God’s glory, He will raise them up after their victory against the enemy (just as we were and will be exalted as kings with Him).
  • :17 – “grain and new wine” – contrast this with the lack of such things they formerly experienced (Lam. 2:12,21; 4:7,8; 5:10).  Shows they will have abundance of life grow from the land.  Ultimately, represents the new life that comes from Christ (the bread of life) and the wine of his presence.

Chapter 10

  • :1 – “Ask the LORD for rain” – God is able and willing to bring rain, but He commands us to ask for it and waits for us to meet this condition.
    • “time of the latter rain” – a time where God is expected to bring rain
    • “The LORD will…” – God, not idols (see v.2), will bring an abundance of rain
  • :2 – “idols speak delusion” – you (your fathers) have been deceived by thinking idols will comfort you and bring what you need
    • “Therefore the people wend their way like sheep;” – when you are following idols, you will lose your way and not have any protection from the elements
    • “trouble because there is no shepherd” – False shepherds bring false hopes
  • :3 – “My anger is kindled” – KJV says, “My anger was kindled”.
    • “against the shepherds” – though we were just told there was no shepherd (v. 2).  It shows that the leaders they had were not true shepherds in God’s estimation.
    • “punish the goatherds” – Hebrew is “male goats”.  Jesus compares the wicked to goats (Matt. 25).  When they should’ve acted as shepherds, the leaders instead acted as goats – an “emblem of headstrong wantonness and offensive lust” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)
    • “visit His flock” – God will come to deliver his flock from any enemies who are trying to deceive them or lead them astray
    • “make them as His royal horse in the battle” – compare 9:13.  God will use them as the means by which He destroys the enemies (as a warrior uses his horse)
  • :4 – “from him” – here, “him” is Judah
    • “cornerstone” – Jesus (see 3:9).  He would come forth from Judah.
    • “tent peg” – something steadfast and secure (see Is. 22:23; Ezra 9:8).  Also, the means used to defeat Israel’s enemy in the time of Judges (Judges 4:21)
    • “battle bow” – see Zech. 9:13.  they would have power over their enemies.
    • “From him every ruler” – word for ruler could be “despot”.  It shows that no foreign powers will be able to conquer Judah anymore.  Or, it could mean “ruler” in a good sense, speaking of Jesus and his disciples (?)
  • :5 – “They…” – Judah
    • “mire” = dust/dirt beneath their feet, just as all in Christ will have the enemy under their feet
    • “because the LORD is with them” – see Zech. 4:6.  Such is the theme of the book.
    • “riders…put to shame” – the enemies’ power will be put to shame
  • :6 – “And I will save the house of Joseph” – pertaining to the 10 tribes apart from Judah.  They too will be restored.  Perhaps the restoration of Israel with Judah is a type for the restoration of Jews and Gentiles.
    • “because I have mercy on them” – it’s God’s grace that will restore them, not their efforts and abilities
  • :7 – “Those of Ephraim” – refers to the 10 tribes of Israel (same as “house of Joseph,” v. 6).  See Isaiah 7:8.
    • “like a mighty man” – this was already said of Judah (see 10:5)
    • “heart rejoice” – the joy of the Lord, which Christ came to bring (see John 15:11)
    • “their children shall see it” – it would not be something temporary, but would be something permanent.
  • :8 – “whistle” – God is getting their attention, as a shepherd would his sheep (and they will know the voice of their Shepherd, see John 10:4)
    • “gather them” – to dwell together
    • “redeem them” – from their enemies, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
    • “increase as they once increased” – probably referring to their time in Egypt (Ex. 1:12).  See also Hosea 1:10.
  • :9 – “sow them among the peoples” – they would have an established place and would be multiplied, even in the midst of other nations.  Formerly they were gathered (v. 8), now their life is growing and extending: “Jews from every nation” (Acts 2:5).
    • “they shall remember…return” – when they extend to other countries, they would remain true to God, and not compromise and mix with the world around them.  Their return may be spiritual of them coming to Christ as the Heavenly Jerusalem.
  • :10 – “bring them back from the land of Egypt” – historically and physically, Ptolemaeus Philadelphus king of Egypt sent 120,000 Jews out of his country into their own land.  But this may refer more properly to the spiritual bondage they would be brought out of.
    • “gather them from Assyria” – this also was fulfilled historically by Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes.  However, Assyria may be a type for bondage, like Egypt.
    • “bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon” – Gilead is East of the Jordan, and Lebanon was West (and North).  These two cities seem to correspond to the whole of the Promised Land.
    • “Until no more room is found” – their life would be multiplied in such a way 
  • :11 – “He” = Israel/Ephraim (v. 8), as well as Judah (v. 3)
    • “sea” – borrowing the type of the passing through the Red Sea.
    • “sea with affliction” – either referring to the sea of affliction that they would pass through, or referring to hardships they will have as they pass through the sea.
    • “the River” – perhaps the Euphrates, as it corresponds to Assyria.  Therefore, the sea earlier in the verse corresponds to Egypt and the River corresponds to Assyria.  Or, “the River” may correspond to the Nile, and may parallel Israel’s passing through the Jordan later in their journeys.
    • “pride of Assyria…scepter of Egypt” – the enemies’ power will be defeated.
  • :12 – “strengthen them in the LORD” – God will bring Christians strength through Jesus, the Lord (see 2 Cor. 13:3)
    • “walk up and down” – by this power, they will move!

Chapter 11

  • :1 – “Open your doors” – because you closed your doors to God, you will welcome destruction
    • “Lebanon…cedars” – the cedars of Lebanon were used to make the temple, and indicated uprightness.
      • “fire may devour” – the exalted will be humbled
  • :2 – “cypress” – very flammable, less grand than a cedar
    • “wail…for the cedar has fallen” – if the grand cedar has fallen, the cypress better take heed as well
    • “wail…the thick forest has come down” – their protection and surrounding has been destroyed (“the thick forest”), therefore, they are left in a vulnerable position
  • :3 – “wailing shepherd” – the shepherds were perhaps indicated by the cedar (high position) and/or forest (providing protection and shelter)
    • “their glory” – all of what they held so dearly and where they praised themselves
    • “roaring lions” – perhaps indicative of the shepherds, who devoured the sheep instead of protecting them
    • “the pride of the Jordan is in ruins” – this is where they attacked their prey (see Jeremiah 49:19)
  • :4 – “Thus says the LORD my God” – this is what He spoke to Zechariah
    • “Feed the flock” – represents ministering to them faithfully; do not deprive them
    • “for slaughter” – even though you minister to them, it will only make them all the more prime for destruction (they are guiltier in God’s sight because He ministered especially to them, and they still rejected Him)
  • :5 – “owners slaughter…no guilt” – the flock represents Israel.  The owners are the leaders of Israel.  God is saying that they have accepted leaders who devour them.
    • “say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich’” – they used the flock (Israel) as a means to their own selfish gain, and claimed that God had blessed them through this
  • :6 – “I will no longer pity…” – as you’ve treated them, God will treat you
    • “into his neighbor’s hand” – God will judge them through enemy nations
  • :7 – “I fed the flock” – prophetically symbolizing God ministering to his people (specifically, it seems to refer to Christ’s ministry)
    • “in particular the poor” – God (and Christ) have a special heart to minister to the poor and needy
    • “two staffs” – see Ps. 23:4
    • “Beauty” – represents the grace and beauty God gave to Israel
    • “Bonds” – represents the bond Israel had with God and with each other
  • :8 – “dismissed the three shepherds” – notice, it says, “the”.  The Spirit is showing that these are three shepherds who were either already mentioned or would be readily recognizable, otherwise it would not be appropriate to use, “the”.  In a general sense, they are the antithesis of the Trinity (a sort of “false trinity”).  They may refer specifically to the different groups of Jews during Jesus’ ministry – scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees.  Or they could refer in general to the first 3 beasts/kingdoms of Daniel’s vision (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece), and the foolish shepherd who rises up after them represents Rome – showing that the Jews chose secular kingship over God’s kingship.
    • “loathed” – God had strong feelings against them for their selfish motives in leading his flock poorly
  • :9 – “I will not feed you” – he ministered to them for a season, but ceased after that.
    • “Let what is dying die” – God, who is willing to encourage a small amount of life (see Matt. 12:20), found no life in his flock
    • “eat each other’s flesh” – God would allow them to destroy each other
  • :10 – “Beauty…cut it in two” – God no longer will give his grace to Israel; He will “break the covenant” He had with them
  • :11 – “the poor…who were watching me” – it was the poor who recognized their true Shepherd
    • “knew it was the word of the LORD” – recognized this action came from God, not men.  It was God who chose to remove his grace from Israel, because of their actions.
  • :12 – “them” – the professing shepherds, who represent the leaders of Israel who were neglecting the flock
    • “my wages” – how much they valued having God as their Shepherd
    • “thirty pieces of silver” – the same value as a slave (see Exodus 21:29).  This shows that Israel did not value God’s shepherding at all.
  • :13 – “throw it to the potter” – fulfilled literally in Christ (see Mt. 27:3-10).  Also symbolizes God’s role as potter over Israel (His clay).  In essence, God is saying that Israel’s devaluing of God’s shepherding will be taken by the Potter who will decide the destiny of the clay.
    • “princely price” – said sarcastically.  They should have valued Him as a prince, but instead they value God as a slave.
    • “So I took…” – Zechariah acted this out faithfully, as a prophetic sign
  • :14 – “Cut…Bonds” – It is inevitable that their relationship with each other would go the route of their relationship with the Lord (Love God => Love brothers, 1 Jn. 3:14…Despise God => despise brothers).
  • :15 – “Next” – it is clear that this was to follow the prophetic events of the earlier verses.
    • “foolish shepherd” – the foolish shepherd may set a principle of Antichrist, but seems better suited to represent Rome in general, or Caesar in specific, who the Jews chose as their king when they rejected Christ (see John 19:15)
  • :16 – “he will eat the flesh of the fat” – though the Jews rejected Christ and chose Rome as an alternative, the Roman armies later desecrated the Jewish people and their temple (in 70AD).
  • :17 – “Woe to the worthless shepherd” – though the shepherd will destroy the Jews as a just judgment, God will still pronounce judgment on this shepherd
    • “arm…eye” – his strength and sight will be taken away from him.  Compare this to the Lamb who had seven horns and seven eyes, representing perfect sight and strength by the Holy Spirit (Rev. 5:6).

Chapter 12

  • :1 –  “against Israel” – either against the unbelieving Israelites (i.e. not the remnant), or it means “concerning Israel,” thus the following words concern Israel
    • “heavens…earth” – God created and controls both
    • “forms the spirit of man” – this is where heaven and earth meet – the spirit is breathed by God from heaven, and the body is made from the dust of the earth (see Gen. 2:7).
  • :2 – “cup of drunkenness” – they will stagger when they try to defeat Jerusalem, because God will be with Jerusalem
  • :3 – “a heavy stone” – nations won’t be able to take Jerusalem, though they will try
    • “cut in pieces” – the same happens to those who reject Christ as Cornerstone.
    • “all nations…gathered” – like the picture of Revelation 20:9
  • :4 – “In that day” – the day Jerusalem becomes a heavy stone and cup of drunkenness to the nations.
    • “open My eyes” – compare 9:8, this is a sign of his favor toward Jerusalem
    • “horse…blindness” – contrasts God’s open eyes of favor toward Jerusalem; those who have eyes of destruction toward Jerusalem will be blinded
  • :5 – “my strength” – God’s life and power infused in Israel
  • :6 – “In that day” – same day as verse 4.
    • “firepan…fiery torch” – the leaders/people of Judah will overcome those who attack them
    • “Jerusalem shall be inhabited” – God’s life will multiply in his people
  • :7 – “The LORD will save” – It is not their hand, but God’s hand that saves
    • “the tents…first” – the tents were the weakest and least secure, especially compared to the fortress of the king
    • “so that the glory…shall not become greater” – God hates the boasting of flesh (2 Cor. 10:17-18).  He desires all to know their dependence on Him.
  • :8 – “the LORD will defend” – Notice, their defense will be entirely dependent on God
    • “feeble…shall be like David” – the weaker members will have the strength of the man who defeated Goliath, all because of God’s Spirit
    • “house of David…like God” – those who are stronger among them will have a strength so much greater than their enemies, that it will be like their enemies are fighting God Himself, who is completely indestructible.
  • :9 – “that day” – same day as verse 4 and 6
  • :10 – “I will pour…the Spirit” – similar language to Pentecost.  When the enemy has been defeated, it will open the way for God to give His Spirit.  This happened with Christ who was crucified and resurrected before his Spirit was poured out.  The enemy could include our very flesh (which is called an enemy of God).  Our flesh has to be defeated, then the Spirit poured out (which could not be poured on the flesh of the priest).
    • “they will look on Me whom they pierced” – this language is applied to Christ’s crucifixion (John 19:37) and to his second coming (Rev. 1:7).  Perhaps this could mean a metaphorical piercing, as the piercing they gave to God when they rejected Him, as well as the physical piercing.
    • “mourn…as one mourns for his only son” – Christ literally was God’s Only Son (John 3:16).  This mourning comes because of the loss of life, and it is not manufactured whatsoever.
    • “grieve…for a firstborn” – the very thing that happened at Egypt (Exodus 12:30)
  • :11 – “that day” – same day as verses 4,6,9
    • “the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo” – this is the place where King Josiah violently died, and Jeremiah wrote lamentations concerning it (2 K 23:29-30; 2 Ch 35:22-27).  Josiah’s reign was “the only gleam of brightness for the period from Hezekiah to the downfall of the state” (J., F., B.)
  • :12 – “the land shall mourn” – this is a universal mourning
    • “every family by itself” – it’s also a private and individual mourning that will happen
  • :14 – “all the families that remain…” – this mourning will affect every family in the land

Chapter 13

  • :1 – “that day” – same as 12:4,6,9,11
    • “fountain…opened” – As the priests were commanded to cleanse the tabernacle with water in the Old Testament, God is cleansing Israel here
  • :2 – “cut off…idols” – God will remove idolatry from his people
    • “prophets” – meaning, false prophets, the counterfeit of real prophets
    • “unclean spirit” – counterfeit of real Holy Spirit
  • :3 – “father and mother” – people will choose God and his ways over their own family
    • “thrust him” – the punishment for false prophets was death, even for your own family (Deut. 13; 18)
  • :4 – “that day” – same as 12:4,6,9,11; 13:1
    • “ashamed” – God will convict the false prophets of the sin of speaking God’s name in vain
    • “robe of coarse hair” – which was apparently common for prophets to wear (like John the Baptist)
  • :5 – “I am no prophet” – they will denounce their false prophesying
    • “I am a farmer” – he will go back to doing what he knows, and no longer speaks of what he does not know
  • :6 – “wounds between your arms/hands” – it is possible that this would happen if he was thrust (see verse 3) and naturally defended himself with his hands.  Though it also seems to carry a messianic prophecy of the piercing of Messiah’s hands, as though He were a false prophet (see 13:7).
    • “house of my friends” – he recognizes that those who wound him are actually his friends who hate sinfulness (Prov. 27:6)
  • :7 – “Awake, O sword” – this is God’s weapon by which He will “thrust” his Servant.  The sword is a frequent instrument God used to punish sin (see Psalm 7:11-12)
    • “My Shepherd” – Jesus shows that this verse concerns Him, who is the Chief Shepherd (Matt. 26:31)
    • “My companion” – as the false prophet was wounded by His friends, so Jesus, accused of being a false prophet, is wounded by God, His friend.  He did this to take on the punishment and curse of sin and idolatry (see 13:2).
    • “Strike the Shepherd” – happened at the cross
    • “the sheep will be scattered” – the disciples ‘stumbling’ (see Matt. 26:31-33), which corresponded to their fleeing away from Christ when He was crucified, and denying Him (Matt. 26:34-35)
    • “turn My hand against the little ones” – seems to indicate the sufferings that the disciples received after Christ was crucified (the “cross” they bore daily).  This corresponds well to the refining of fire spoken of in Zech. 13:9)
  • :8 – “two-thirds…die” – the majority of the people will be cut off.  This number may be symbolic.  It could also represent the slaying of 2/3 of Jews by Roman army in 70 AD destruction.
    • “one-third shall be left” – this is the believing remnant
  • :9 – “through the fire” – just as the wicked are destroyed and the righteous refined by fire, so the 1/3 that is not destroyed will be refined through the “fire” of God’s afflictions
    • “They will call…I will answer” – it is after going through the fire that they are said to have such a nearness with God.  Before God answers, He waits for us to call.  

Chapter 14

  • :1 – “day of the Lord” – probably the same day mentioned in 12:4,6,9,11; 13:1,4 (“that day”)
    • “your spoil” – that is, the riches and blessing of Israel
  • :2 – “all the nations to battle against Jerusalem” – similar scene in Revelation 20:8
    • “city shall be taken” – like the outer court given to the Gentiles (see Rev. 11:2), and the Roman invasion of Jerusalem in 70 AD (see Matt. 22:7)
    • “half of the city shall go into captivity” – similar to the parable of 10 virgins, where only 5 of them were received by God, and the others were sent away (Matt. 25:1-13).  Cutting something in half also seems symbolic of the cross – even as the half of our flesh/old man is sent away by the cross.  Thus, half of the city being cast out seems like a type of spiritual circumcision.
    • “remnant…not be cut off” – like the 2 witnesses of Rev. 11, who served as a remnant of the church at that time (think of 2 lampstands of Rev. 11:4 compared with 7 lampstands of Rev. 1:20).
  • :3 – “Then” – after this period of judgment on the church
    • “fight against those nations” – God will defend Jerusalem (like Zech. 12:7).  This is similar to Rev. 20:9.
  • :4 – “that day” – when God fights on behalf of his people
    • “Mount of Olives” – The Mt. of Olives was a Sabbath’s day journey from Jerusalem (Acts 1:12).  It was the place of refuge for David during Absalom’s uprising (2 Samuel 15), and it was frequented by Christ during his ministry – primarily, He drew away here (see Luke 21:37; 22:39; John 8:1).  The Mt. of Olives was where Jesus initiated his ride as the King on the donkey (Matt. 21:1), spoke of Jerusalem’s destruction (Matt. 24:3), and went to with his disciples before his betrayal (Matt. 26:30).  Finally, it was where Jesus ascended (Acts 1:12).
    • “stand on the Mount of Olives” – this may be literal, even as Jesus will return in the same way He came (Acts 1:12), thereby, returning to stand at Mt. of Olives when He comes back to judge the nations.  This may also be symbolic: as the Mount of Olives is an obstacle separating Jerusalem from the world, so this wall between Jerusalem and neighboring nations will be leveled.
    • “on the east” – Adam and Eve were banished to the East because of sin (Gen. 3:24), while wise men found Christ by coming from the East (Matt. 2:1).  Also, Jesus speaks of the coming of the Son of Man as lightning that comes from East to the West (Matt. 24:27).  Therefore, it would make sense that Jesus will start from the East of Jerusalem to redeem His people, undoing the effect of sin (Gen. 3:24).
    • “Mount of Olives…split in two” – perhaps this symbolizes the joining of Jew and Gentile.  Before, you had one mountain that provided a barrier between Jerusalem and the world.  Now, that mountain is gone (see Zech. 4:7), allowing for two, instead of one.
    • “From east to west” – see description above (“on the east”).  This force will start from the East and move to the West, undoing the direction of sin (see Gen. 3:24).
    • “Making a very large valley” – perhaps this is borrowing from the “valley of decision” (Joel 3:12,14), where all will be judged.  After the mountain is leveled, this valley will sit between the nations and Jerusalem.  Therefore, those in the valley can choose between dwelling in God’s land or in the land of the world.
    • “toward the north” – the north is a constant reference to Babylon (Jer. 1:13), perhaps showing that the power of Babylon (false religion) will be destroyed, so that the nations will be freed.
    • “toward the south” – the south is a constant reference to Egypt (see Dan. 11), perhaps showing that the power of Egypt (oppression) will be destroyed, so that the nations will be freed.  
  • :5 – “you shall flee” – God’s people will have to leave Jerusalem
    • “through My mountain valley” – where Mt. of Olives once stood as barrier between Israel and nations, it is now a valley where the nations can enter Israel, and Israel can go to the nations.
    • “Azal” – a place near a gate east of the city.  In Hebrew, it means “adjoining” (J., F., B.), and may symbolize the joining together of Jews and Gentiles (as the Jews were brought to go there instead of stay in Jerusalem with a barrier between them and the nations).
    • “flee…as you fled from the earthquake” – this earthquake is mentioned in Amos 1:1.  God will disrupt Israel the way He did during the earthquake.  An earthquake literally happened at Christ’s crucifixion.
    • “Uzziah king of Judah” – King Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for invading the priest’s office.  Josephus says that the earthquake happened at the same time as this.
    • “God will come,/ And all the saints” – This is how Jesus will return to the earth (see Jude 1:14).  It may have reference to the 2nd coming, or it may refer to God coming to dwell with the church that is joined with Jews and Gentiles (thus, He comes with all His saints), even seen in Jesus’ resurrection and those who resurrect after Him.
  • :6 – “that day” – the day that God comes
    • “no light” – symbolically, this will be a day of great tragedy.  Jerusalem literally had no light during Jesus’ crucifixion.  
  • :7 – “that day” – same as verse 6
    • “at evening time…it will be light” – from the darkness (which was summed up in the cross), God manifested light
  • :8 – “that day” – same as verses 6 and 7
    • “living water shall flow from Jerusalem” – like the vision of Ezekiel’s temple (see Ezek. 47).  Fulfilled, “when the Holy Spirit has come upon you [disciples]; and you shall be witnesses to Me [Jesus] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).  Jesus said the living waters represent the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).  Thus, when the Rock was struck on the cross, the water of the Holy Spirit came forth (see 1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
    • “half…toward the eastern sea/ And half…toward the western,” – God’s life would not go in only 1 direction.  It would go toward the Gentiles as well as the Jews, and there was not more of it that belonged to either party – both received equal portions (half).  Think also of ½ representing the cross in the Scriptures.  By the cross, the water was able to spread to both directions, or to both Jew and Gentile!
    • “In both summer and winter” – It would not be stopped by different seasons.  Heat would not dry it up, nor would winter freeze and stop it.  It would go forth in the good times and the bad times: “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need,” (Phil. 4:12).
  • :9 – “King over all the earth” – This kingdom was initiated when Christ – the Seed – was crucified and buried in the earth, then resurrected with life abundant.  The ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom will be when, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,” (Revelation 11:15).
    • “The Lord is one” – Gentiles would not serve a separate god from Jews.  But they would all serve Christ now: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30).  
  • :10 – “All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon” – Jerusalem was surrounded by mountains (see Ps. 125:2).  But the nations surrounding Jerusalem will be humbled into plains, and Jerusalem will be exalted.
    • “Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place” – God will exalt them in due time (1 Pet. 5:6)
    • “Benjamin’s Gate” = North border of Jerusalem
    • “First Gate” = West of city
    • “Corner Gate” = East of city
    • “Tower of Hananel” = South of city, near sheep gate
    • “king’s wine presses” = interior of city, at Zion (see Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)
  • :11 – “the people shall dwell in it” – they have rest and a home here, and it also shows that Jerusalem has life in it
    • “Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited” – they will be protected from the enemy
  • :12 – “the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem” – in Ex. 11-12, God struck Egypt with the 10th plague, and all of the plagues in Egypt were as a result of the Egyptians treatment of God’s people.  Similarly, Jesus says the nations will be judged by how they treat God’s people, “My brethren” (Matt. 25:31-46).  God charges kings with 2 main jobs: (1) Do good for your people, (2) Avenge and bring wrath to those who do evil (Rom. 13:4).  In other words a king protects his people by encouraging good and destroying anything that discourages good.  Therefore, Christ, the King of Kings, after securing safety for His people (v.11) will bring destruction to all who opposed Him and his people.
    • “Jerusalem” represents Christians too, who have become Israel (see Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22)
    • “flesh…eyes…tongues shall dissolve” – perhaps this correlates to, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” (1 John 2:16).  The “worthless shepherd” had his arm and eye destroyed, perhaps relating to the flesh and eyes dissolving (Zech. 11:17).  Ultimately, the flesh speaks to filling up on your own pleasures, not God’s (see 11:16), the eyes speak to the desire of men (cf. 2:8), and the tongue is the weapon used to wage war against God and his people (Is. 54:17; James 3:6) and the revealer of what people have in their hearts (Matt. 12:34).  Thus, God confronts the three things that opposed Him and his people.
      • While they are in the act of using their facilities, they will dissolve (cf. 1 K 13:4)
    • Cf. Rev. 20:7-10
    • this verse is possibly skipping to the nations’ demise, then backtracking to other events
  • :13 – “that day” – also in Zech. 2:11 – many nations joining God; 3:10 – God’s people having rest, shade, and fruit; 9:16 – God will save his people; 12:3 – God’s people made completely secure; 12:4 – God striking the enemy horses down; 12:6 – God’s people have power over enemies; 12:8 – God’s people given supernatural strength; 12:9 – God will destroy all nations that come against His people; 12:11 – God will grant his people repentance and conviction; 13:1 – Sins of God’s people cleansed; 13:2- idolatry removed; 13:4 – false prophets ashamed; 14:4 – Mt. of Olives struck down; 14:6 – lights will diminish; 14:8 – living waters flow from Jerusalem; 14:9 – Lord made King over earth; 14:20 – God’s horses made holy; 14:20-21 – vessels shall be holy
    • “great panic” – no security; only fear.  Though they once felt secure (1:11), they now are seized with terror and panic
    • “them” = “all the people who fought against Jerusalem” (v.12)
    • “raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand” = nation against nation (see Matt. 24:7); people in turmoil
    • Turned against each other (Matt. 24:6 has similar language)
  • :14 – “Judah also will fight at Jerusalem” – inner turmoil and divisiveness within God’s people
    • “wealth of…nations…gathered together” – similar to Haggai 2:6-9
      • Brought to complete the temple, symbolizing the redeemed of every tribe, nation, etc. (Rev. 5:9)
    • “gold, silver, and apparel” – same items brought out of Egypt in the Exodus (see Ex. 11:2)
    • “in great abundance” – not just what is needed, but a surplus is given (Ps. 23:5; John 10:10; Rom. 8:37)
      • Ultimately, this represents the bringing in of God’s people from the nations in order to build up the spiritual temple of God, according to His workings and specifications
  • :15 – the plague applies to the animals too – just as the fall, the flood, and the killing of the firstborn applied to animals as well as people
    • animals are supposed to be in subjection to humans, therefore, what happens to men happens to animals too
    • “horses…mules…camels…donkeys…whatever beasts” – specifically focuses on animals people ride on
  • :16 – “everyone who survives of all the nations” – all the people whose footing is on Christ’s kindgom (cf. Heb. 12:28 and Hag. 2:6-7)
    • “year after year” – perpetually; eternally they would do this
    • “worship the King” – cf. Heb. 12:28; King = Christ
    • “keep the Feast of Booths” = Harvest at end of age
  • :17
  • :18 – Egypt = 1st oppressors of Israel; given second chance if they repent and receive the gospel
  • :19
  • :20-21 – horses, vessels, and land would all be made holy