Call to Repentance and the Vision of Horsemen
Zechariah 1:1-17
Zec.1.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- השמיני: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- לדריוש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- זכריה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברכיה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עדו: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Haggai 1:1 (structural): Same historical frame—'in the second year of Darius' and prophetic opening formula; Haggai and Zechariah minister together in the postexilic restoration context.
- Ezra 5:1 (allusion): Explicitly links Haggai and Zechariah prophesying 'in the second year of Darius,' corroborating the dating and joint prophetic activity mentioned in Zechariah 1:1.
- Zechariah 7:1 (structural): Another superscription within the same book that dates a prophetic message to a specific year of Darius, showing the book’s use of dated prophetic headings.
- Ezekiel 1:3 (verbal): Uses the same introductory formula 'the word of the LORD came to...' (Hebrew דבר־יהוה אל־...), a common prophetic commissioning phrase linking Zechariah to the wider prophetic tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo the prophet, saying:
- In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo the prophet, declaring:
Zec.1.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 9:7-8 (verbal): Addresses descendants about how their ancestors 'provoked the LORD to wrath' in the wilderness — near-verbal charge of Yahweh's anger against the fathers.
- Exodus 32:10 (thematic): God speaks of fierce wrath against Israel after the golden calf — an archetypal instance of Yahweh's anger toward the fathers for covenant unfaithfulness.
- Psalm 78:40-41 (thematic): The psalm recounts how Israel's fathers repeatedly provoked God's anger in the wilderness, echoing the retrospective indictment in Zechariah.
- Ezekiel 20:8-9 (allusion): Ezekiel depicts God angered by the rebellion of the ancestors (turning against them), reflecting the prophetic motif of divine wrath toward former generations.
Alternative generated candidates
- The anger of the LORD was against your fathers—angry.
- The LORD was angry with your fathers—he was angry.
Zec.1.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שובו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואשוב: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Malachi 3:7 (verbal): Almost identical wording: 'Return to me, and I will return to you' (Hebrew same phrasing), direct echo of Zechariah's summons and promise.
- James 4:8 (thematic): New Testament parallel: 'Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you'—same theological principle of reciprocal relationship between God and repentant people.
- Joel 2:12-13 (thematic): Call to repentance: 'Return to me with all your heart... return to the LORD your God'—links the summons to genuine repentance and God's merciful response.
- Hosea 14:1-2 (thematic): Direct plea for Israel to 'return' to the LORD and seek forgiveness—similar motif of restoration upon repentance.
- Deuteronomy 30:2-3 (structural): Promises that when Israel returns to the LORD (after exile) God will restore them—parallels the covenantal pattern of return followed by divine restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And say to them: Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Return to me,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD of hosts.
- And say to them: Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, declares the LORD of hosts.
Zec.1.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תהיו: VERB,qal,imf,2,pl
- כאבתיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons,prsuf_2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הראשנים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שובו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- נא: PART
- מדרכיכם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss,2mp
- הרעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- ומעלליכם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- הרעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- הקשיבו: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jer. 7:25-26 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic parallel: Jeremiah recounts God sending prophets 'from the days of your fathers' who were not listened to, and calls out the people's persistent refusal to turn from evil—language and theme echo Zech. 1:4.
- Jer. 25:4 (verbal): Similar formulation—God 'sent to you all his servants the prophets' to call the people to repentance. Echoes Zechariah's reference to earlier prophetic summons to 'return' from evil.
- 2 Chron. 36:15-16 (thematic): Describes the LORD repeatedly sending messengers/prophets who were mocked, insulted, and even killed—parallels Zechariah's warning not to repeat the fathers' rejection of prophetic calls.
- Ezek. 2:3-7 (structural): Ezekiel is commissioned to speak to a 'rebellious house' and told to proclaim God's word whether they listen or not—structurally parallels Zechariah's depiction of prophets addressing an unheeding people.
- Hos. 12:10 (allusion): God says He 'sent to them prophets and multiplied visions'—echoes the motif in Zechariah of prior prophetic interventions that were ignored by the ancestors.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds!' Yet they did not listen or give heed to me, declares the LORD.
- Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried, saying, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds. But they did not hear or give ear to me, declares the LORD.
Zec.1.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- איה: ADV,interr
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- והנבאים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלעולם: PART
- יחיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:25-26 (thematic): God recounts sending prophets to previous generations who would not listen—echoes Zechariah’s rhetorical question about the fate of the fathers and the prophets’ mortal limits.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (thematic): God’s messengers and prophets are rejected and persecuted by the people/fathers—parallels the theme of ancestral culpability and the mortal vulnerability of prophets.
- Luke 11:47-48 (allusion): Jesus condemns those who honor the prophets’ tombs while their fathers killed the prophets—an NT critique that resonates with Zechariah’s challenge about fathers and prophets.
- Haggai 1:5 (structural): Both prophets call the people to self-examination (‘consider your ways’) and reflection on past generations, framing repentance by recalling ancestral failings.
- Psalm 78:8 (thematic): The psalm rebukes a ‘stubborn’ generation and recounts the failures of the fathers to heed God’s ways—similar emphasis on remembering how prior generations treated God and his messengers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your fathers—where are they? And the prophets—do they live forever?
- Your fathers—where are they? And the prophets—do they live forever?
Zec.1.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- וחקי: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלוא: PART
- השיגו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,2,pl
- וישובו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- זמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כדרכינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכמעללינו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כן: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתנו: PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (thematic): God repeatedly sent his messengers/prophets, but the people mocked and refused them, leading to judgment—parallel theme of prophetic warning ignored and consequences realized.
- Jeremiah 25:4-7, 8-11 (thematic): Jeremiah emphasizes that the Lord sent prophets to warn Israel but they would not listen, and so the foretold exile came—close parallel in prophetic mission and fulfillment of judgment.
- Amos 3:7 (verbal): States that the Lord reveals his purposes to his servants the prophets before acting—parallels Zechariah’s assertion that God’s words/statutes delivered by prophets come to pass.
- Zechariah 7:12 (structural): Within the same book: describes the people making their hearts 'like flint' and not listening to the law/prophets, echoing Zech.1:6’s concern that prophetic warnings were not heeded and judgment followed.
Alternative generated candidates
- But did not my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? And they returned and said, 'As the LORD of hosts planned to do to us according to our ways and our deeds, so he has dealt with us.'
- Yet my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets—did they not overtake your fathers? But they repented and said, As the LORD of hosts planned to deal with us according to our ways and according to our deeds, so has he dealt with us.
Zec.1.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וארבעה: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- לעשתי: PREP+NUM,card,m,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- לדריוש: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- זכריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברכיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עדוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Zech.1.1 (verbal): Same introductory formula: a dateline and the phrase 'the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo' — immediate literary parallel within the book.
- Hag.1.1 (structural): Another prophetic opening dated to 'the second year of Darius' with the formula 'the word of the LORD came' — situates Zechariah alongside Haggai in the same historical/theological context.
- Ezra 5:1 (allusion): Identifies the same Zechariah 'son of Iddo' as a prophet active in the postexilic community (prophesying with Haggai), linking the prophetic figure of Zechariah in Chronicles/Ezra with the book's prophet.
- Amos 1:1 (structural): Uses a prophetic opening with a dateline (relative to kings/epochs), reflecting the common prophetic convention of dating prophecies at their outset.
- Jer.1:4 (verbal): Shares the common prophetic commissioning formula 'the word of the LORD came to me,' illustrating the typical way prophetic messages are introduced in the Hebrew prophets.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo the prophet, saying:
- On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month (which is the month Shebat), in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo the prophet, declaring:
Zec.1.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- סוס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- ההדסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- במצלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואחריו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- סוסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אדמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שרקים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ולבנים: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Zechariah 6:1-8 (verbal): Another vision in Zechariah explicitly describes chariots/horses of the same colors (red, sorrel, white, dappled) sent through the land — close verbal and structural parallel to 1:8–11.
- Revelation 6:1-8 (thematic): The four horsemen vision features horses of different colors (white, red, black, pale) as agents of divine action — thematically parallel in using colored horses to symbolize God's sovereign activity.
- 2 Kings 6:15-17 (structural): Elisha’s servant is shown the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha — a related prophetic/visionary motif of heavenly horses/warrior-hosts protecting and executing God’s purposes.
- Isaiah 63:1-6 (thematic): A divine warrior appears coming from Edom, clothed in garments stained with blood — a warrior/horseman image connected to divine judgment and the martial symbolism present in Zechariah’s rider among the myrtles.
Alternative generated candidates
- I saw by night, and behold—a man riding on a red horse, standing among the myrtle trees that were in the ravine; and behind him were horses, red, sorrel, and white.
- I had a vision by night: behold, a man was riding on a red horse; he was standing among the myrtle trees that were in the ravine, and behind him were horses—red, sorrel, and white.
Zec.1.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- המלאך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אראך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
Parallels
- Zech.1.8 (structural): Immediate context: the vision of the man among the myrtles in v.8 and the prophet’s question/angelic reply in v.9 form a single vision-report unit.
- Zech.4.2 (structural): Same dialogic pattern between prophet and angel—angel asks/elicits the prophet’s description of a vision and then explains its meaning (’What seest thou?’ / explanation follows).
- Dan.8.16–17 (thematic): Angelic interpreter motif: Gabriel is commissioned to make the vision understood to Daniel, parallel to the angel’s role here in revealing what the vision elements mean.
- Rev.17.7 (verbal): Similar formula of angelic explanation in apocalyptic literature—’I will tell thee the mystery…’—paralleling Zechariah’s ‘I will shew thee what these are,’ an interpreter revealing the vision’s significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I said, 'What are these, my lord?' The angel who spoke with me answered, 'I will show you what they are.'
- And I said, What are these, my lord? And the angel who spoke with me said to me, I will show you what they are.
Zec.1.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- העמד: VERB,pi'el,ptc,3,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- ההדסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להתהלך: VERB,hitpael,inf
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Job 1:7 (verbal): Uses the same wording about coming/going 'to and fro on the earth' (Hebrew מתהלך בארץ), describing heavenly beings roaming the earth—verbal parallel to Zech.1:10's 'להתהלך בארץ.'
- Job 2:2 (verbal): Repeats the formula of heavenly beings 'going to and fro on the earth,' reinforcing the same verbal motif found in Zech.1:10.
- Hebrews 1:14 (thematic): Describes angels as 'ministering spirits sent out'—thematic parallel to Zechariah's depiction of messengers sent by the Lord to traverse the earth.
- 1 Kings 22:19-23 (cf. 2 Chron. 18:18-22) (structural): Narrates a heavenly council in which a spirit is commissioned and sent to accomplish a task on earth—structurally similar to the motif of God dispatching celestial agents in Zech.1:10.
- Daniel 4:13, 17 (thematic): Speaks of a 'watcher, a holy one' coming down from heaven to oversee earthly affairs—echoes the idea of heavenly beings sent to act or observe within the world.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the man who stood among the myrtle trees said, 'These are the ones whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.'
- The man who stood among the myrtles answered, These are those whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.
Zec.1.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מלאך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- העמד: VERB,pi'el,ptc,3,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- ההדסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- התהלכנו: VERB,hith,perf,1,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ישבת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ושקטת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Job 1:7 (verbal): Satan reports he has been 'going to and fro on the earth' (same Hebrew verb/image of walking about the earth), a close verbal parallel to the spirits' report in Zech. 1:11.
- Job 2:2 (verbal): Repetition of Job 1:7's language—again the heavenly being describes moving 'to and fro on the earth,' reinforcing the verbal motif of heavenly agents traversing the world found in Zech. 1:11.
- 1 Kings 22:19-22 (thematic): Micaiah's vision of Yahweh on his throne with the heavenly host and a spirit sent to the earth parallels the divine-council setting and the sending/surveying activity of spirits/angels that Zech. 1:11 evokes.
- Zechariah 1:10-12 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same pericope: the angel stands among the myrtles and questions the spirits, who report having walked the earth—verse 11 is part of this contiguous report and should be read with vv.10–12.
- Genesis 3:8 (thematic): The image of God (or divine presence) 'walking' in the garden among the trees resonates with Zech.'s angel standing among myrtles and the motif of divine/angelic movement amid vegetation and the earth.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they answered the angel of the LORD who stood among the myrtle trees, 'We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, the whole earth sits still and is at rest.'
- And they answered the angel of the LORD who stood among the myrtles, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth sits still and is at rest.
Zec.1.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלאך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- מתי: ADV,int
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תרחם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אשר: PRON,rel
- זעמתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 25:11-12 (thematic): Predicts seventy years of Babylonian exile for Judah—background for Zechariah’s reference to God’s anger lasting seventy years.
- Jeremiah 29:10 (thematic): States the seventy-year period of exile after which God will restore Israel; provides prophetic context for Zechariah’s mention of seventy years.
- 2 Chronicles 36:21 (thematic): Describes the land kept desolate for seventy years as fulfillment of exile—connects Zechariah’s reference to the historical consequences of Judah’s punishment.
- Daniel 9:2 (allusion): Daniel cites Jeremiah’s seventy years as the duration of desolation, echoing the same chronological framework invoked in Zechariah.
- Habakkuk 1:2 (verbal): Employs the same lament formula “How long, O LORD…?” voicing an urgent complaint about divine delay—paralleling the angel’s appeal in Zechariah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?'
- Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the cities of Judah, by which you have been angry these seventy years?
Zec.1.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המלאך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- טובים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נחמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:1 (verbal): God commands 'Comfort, comfort my people'—uses the same verb and theme of divine consolation, paralleling Zech.1:13's 'comforting words' (דברים נחמים).
- Psalm 85:8 (thematic): The LORD 'will speak peace' to his people; like Zech.1:13, this emphasizes God’s spoken reassurance and restorative message to Israel.
- Jeremiah 31:13 (thematic): God promises to 'comfort' his people and turn mourning into joy—echoing the consolatory and restorative tone of the 'good, comforting words' in Zech.1:13.
- Luke 2:10 (thematic): An angel proclaims 'good tidings of great joy'—an angelic announcement of comforting news that parallels the angelic-prophetic context and God's reassuring reply in Zech.1:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD answered the angel who spoke with me with kind and comforting words.
- And the LORD answered the angel who spoke with me with pleasing and comforting words.
Zec.1.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- המלאך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- קנאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- ולציון: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- קנאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:5 (verbal): Uses the language of God’s jealousy (“for I the LORD your God am a jealous God”), paralleling Zechariah’s declaration that the LORD is jealous for Jerusalem/Zion.
- Exodus 34:14 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD as a jealous God who forbids worship of other gods—echoes the covenantal concern and divine jealousy in Zechariah 1:14.
- Deuteronomy 4:24 (thematic): Declares God a ‘consuming fire’ and a jealous God; thematically parallels God’s zealous, protective posture toward Israel/Zion.
- Zechariah 8:2 (verbal): Within the same prophetic book, repeats the formulation that the LORD is ‘jealous for Zion with great jealousy,’ a direct thematic and verbal echo of 1:14.
- Nahum 1:2 (verbal): Describes God as jealous and avenging (‘The LORD is jealous and avenges’), reflecting the portrait of divine jealousy and zealous action found in Zechariah 1:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- The angel who spoke with me said to me, 'Proclaim, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy."'
- And the angel who spoke with me said to me, Proclaim, saying: Thus declares the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
Zec.1.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וקצף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- השאננים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- קצפתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,NA,sg
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- עזרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לרעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 6:1-8 (thematic): Condemnation of the complacent and 'at ease'—Amos denounces those who are secure while injustice prospers, echoing Zechariah’s anger at nations at ease.
- Obadiah 1:11-14 (thematic): Accuses Edom of standing aloof and rejoicing when Jerusalem was taken—parallels the reproach of nations who aided or welcomed the affliction of God’s people.
- Isaiah 10:5-7, 12-15 (thematic): God speaks of using Assyria as an instrument of judgment but then punishing the nation for pride and wrongdoing—similar dynamic of nations acting as agents of harm and incurring God’s intensified wrath.
- Psalm 94:3-7 (thematic): Lord’s anger against oppressive nations/peoples who think God does not see; condemns those who aid wrongdoing, reflecting Zechariah’s complaint that nations 'helped the evil.'
Alternative generated candidates
- 'And I was very angry—indeed, exceedingly angry—against the nations at ease; for I was but a little angry, and they multiplied the harm.'
- Behold, I am very angry; my wrath is great against the nations at ease. Though I was but a little angered at them, they have aided in evil.
Zec.1.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שבתי: VERB,qal,inf
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- ברחמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- יבנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וקו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ינטה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Zechariah 2:1-2 (verbal): Repeats the measuring-line imagery—'a man with a measuring line' and the command about the line over Jerusalem, paralleling 'a line shall be stretched over Jerusalem.'
- Isaiah 44:26-28 (verbal): God declares he will build Jerusalem and lay the temple's foundation ('who says of Jerusalem, “She shall be built”'), closely echoing 'My house shall be built in her.'
- Haggai 1:8 (thematic): Call to 'Go up... and build the house of the LORD'—resonates with Zechariah's promise of God's return in mercy and the rebuilding of the temple.
- Haggai 2:6-9 (thematic): Promise that God will shake the nations and that the latter house's glory will exceed the former—develops the theme of divine restoration and future glory implied in Zech.1:16.
- Jeremiah 33:10-11 (thematic): Portrays desolate Jerusalem becoming inhabited and houses/temples restored with joy and offerings—echoes the restoration and rebuilding motif of Zech.1:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the LORD: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be rebuilt there,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'and a measuring line shall be stretched over Jerusalem.'
- Therefore thus declares the LORD: I will return to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be rebuilt there, declares the LORD of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched over Jerusalem.
Zec.1.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- עוד: ADV
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עוד: ADV
- תפוצינה: VERB,nip,impf,3,f,pl
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- מטוב: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ונחם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- ובחר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Zechariah 1:16 (verbal): Immediate context in the same chapter: God says he has returned to Jerusalem with mercy and will restore/choose Jerusalem—same theme and language of God’s returning, restoring cities, and showing favor to Zion.
- Zechariah 8:3 (thematic): Later Zechariah promise: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem'—repeats the assurance of God's presence, choosing Jerusalem, and future blessing of the city.
- Isaiah 40:1 (verbal): Uses the imperative 'Comfort, comfort my people' (naham) — echoes the theme of God’s consoling of Zion and the promise to comfort Jerusalem found in Zech 1:17.
- Jeremiah 33:7 (thematic): God promises to restore and rebuild cities and bring people back so they may dwell securely—parallels Zech 1:17’s assurance that cities will spread in prosperity and Jerusalem will be chosen again.
- Ezekiel 36:33–36 (thematic): God vows to make ruined cities inhabited again and to restore the land so the nations know he is LORD—connects with Zech 1:17’s renewed habitation, blessing of cities, and vindication of Zion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also proclaim, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'My cities shall yet spread out in prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and will again choose Jerusalem.'
- Also proclaim, saying: Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come to dwell in the cities; the LORD will again comfort Zion, and he will choose Jerusalem again.
In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo the prophet, saying:
The LORD was angry with your fathers—very angry. And say to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, declares the LORD of hosts.
Do not be like your fathers, to whom the earlier prophets called, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds,’ but they would not hear or give heed to me, declares the LORD.
Where are your fathers? And the prophets—do they live forever?
Yet my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts planned to do to us according to our ways and our deeds, so he has dealt with us.’
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo the prophet, saying:
I saw by night, and behold—a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among myrtle trees that were in the ravine, and behind him were horses, red, sorrel, and white.
I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ And the angel who talked with me answered, ‘I will show you what they are.’
Then the man who stood among the myrtles said, ‘They are the ones whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.’ And they answered the angel of the LORD who stood among the myrtles, ‘We have gone to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth sits still and is at rest.’
Then the angel of the LORD said, ‘O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ And the LORD answered the angel who talked with me with gracious words and comforting words.
The angel who spoke with me said to me, ‘Proclaim, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy.' Thus says the LORD: I am very angry with the nations at ease; for though I was but a little angry, they compounded the harm.
Therefore thus says the LORD: I will return to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in her, declares the LORD of hosts, and a measuring line shall be stretched over Jerusalem.
Again proclaim, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I will yet spread prosperity over the cities; the LORD will again comfort Zion and will choose Jerusalem.