Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Jehovah is renowned or remembered. ) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. ” In Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 he is called “the son of Iddo,” who was properly his grandfather. C. 520), about sixteen years after the return of the first company from exile. He was contemporary with Haggai (Ezra 5:1). His book consists of two distinct parts, (1) chapters 1 to 8, inclusive, and (2) 9 to the end.
It begins with a preface (1:1-6), which recalls the nation’s past history, for the purpose of presenting a solemn warning to the present generation. Then follows a series of eight visions (1:7-6:8), succeeding one another in one night, which may be regarded as a symbolical history of Israel, intended to furnish consolation to the returned exiles and stir up hope in their minds. The symbolical action, the crowning of Joshua (6:9-15), describes how the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of God’s Christ.
Chapters 7 and 8, delivered two years later, are an answer to the question whether the days of mourning for the destruction of the city should be any longer kept, and an encouraging address to the people, assuring them of God’s presence and blessing. The second part of the book (ch. 9-14) bears no date. It is probable that a considerable interval separates it from the first part. It consists of two burdens. The first burden (ch. 9-11) gives an outline of the course of God’s providential dealings with his people down to the time of the Advent. The second burden (ch.
12-14) points out the glories that await Israel in “the latter day”, the final conflict and triumph of God’s kingdom. ) The son or grandson of Jehoiada, the high priest in the times of Ahaziah and Joash. After the death of Jehoiada he boldly condemned both the king and the people for their rebellion against God (2 Chr. 24:20), which so stirred up their resentment against him that at the king’s commandment they stoned him with stones, and he died “in the court of the house of the Lord” (24:21). Christ alludes to this deed of murder in Matt. 23:35, Luke 11:51.
) A prophet, who had “understanding in the seeing of God,” in the time of Uzziah, who was much indebted to him for his wise counsel (2 Chr. 26:5). Besides these, there is a large number of persons mentioned in Scripture bearing this name of whom nothing is known. ) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben (1 Chr. 5:7). ) One of the porters of the tabernacle (1 Chr. 9:21). ) 1 Chr. 9:37. ) A Levite who assisted at the bringing up of the ark from the house of Obededom (1 Chr. 15:20-24). ) A Kohathite Levite (1 Chr. 24:25). ) A Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 27:21).
) The father of Iddo (1 Chr. 27:21). ) One who assisted in teaching the law to the people in the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:7). ) A Levite of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 20:14). ) One of Jehoshaphat’s sons (2 Chr. 21:2). ) The father of Abijah, who was the mother of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:1). ) One of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 29:13). ) One of the “rulers of the house of God” (2 Chr. 35:8). ) Neh. 11:12. ) Neh. 12:16. ) Neh. 12:35, 41. ) Isa. 8:2.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
ZECHARI'AH (Jehovah remembers). The eleventh of the twelve minor prophets, of priestly descent, and a contemporary of Haggai, returning from exile with Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua. Ezr 6:1. He was the son of Berechiah, was born in Babylon, and was both a priest and a prophet. Scarcely anything is known of his life. c. 520 and 518. The Book of Zechariah consists of two divisions: I. Chs. 1-8; II. Chs. 9-14.
The first division contains visions and prophecies from the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes, while the temple was rebuilding, exhortations to turn to Jehovah, and warnings against the enemies of the people of God. About the authorship of this part of the book there is no doubt. The second division gives a prophetic description of the future fortunes of the theocracy in conflict with the secular powers, the sufferings and death of the Messiah under the figure of the shepherd, the conversion of Israel to him, and the final glorification of the kingdom of God.
About the authorship of this part of the book doubts have been raised, some ascribing it to Jeremiah because in Matt 27:9-10 a passage is quoted under the name of Jeremiah, while others have put it at a much earlier or much later period on account of the peculiarities of the style. Of all the prophets, Zechariah is the most obscure, owing to the brevity and conciseness of the diction, the predominance of symbolical and figurative language, and the peculiar character of the subject - the suffering Messiah.
But he has a profound insight both into the spiritual meaning and object of the Mosaic dispensation as a schoolmaster leading to Christ, and into the character of the Messiah and the universality of his kingdom.
The book contains six specific references to Christ: Zech 3:8; Zech 6:12; Zech 9:9; Zech 11:12; Neh 12:10; 2 Kgs 13:7, representing him as a lowly servant, a priest and king building Jehovah's temple, the meek and peaceful but universal monarch, the shepherd betrayed for the price of a slave (thirty pieces of silver), the leader to repentance, and the Fellow of Jehovah smitten by Jehovah himself, at once the Redeemer and the Pattern of his flock. Besides the prophet, twenty-seven other persons of the name Zechariah are mentioned in Scripture, among whom are - Seven Levites.
1 Chr 9:21; 1 Chr 15:18; 1 Chr 24:25; 1 Chr 26:11; 2 Chr 20:14; 2 Chr 29:13; 2 Chr 34:12. Four priests. 2 Chr 35:8; Neh 11:12; Neh 12:16, John 12:35, Ex 12:41. The son of the high priest Jehoiada, stoned in the court of the house of the Lord on the command of Joash, king of Judah. 2 Chr 24:20. Two chiefs who returned with Ezra from Babylon. Ezr 8:3, Rev 1:11. The father of Iddo, ruler of Manasseh in Gilead. 1 Chr 27:21. The son of Jeberechiah, whom the prophet Isaiah took as one of the faithful witnesses when he wrote about Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Isa 8:2.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
same as Zachariah
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ZECHARI'AH (Jehovah remembers). The Book of Zechariah consists of two divisions: I. Chs. 1-8; II. Chs. 9-14. The first division contains visions and prophecies from the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes, while the temple was rebuilding, exhortations to turn to Jehovah, and warnings against the enemies of the people of God. About the authorship of this part of the book there is no doubt.
The second division gives a prophetic description of the future fortunes of the theocracy in conflict with the secular powers, the sufferings and death of the Messiah under the figure of the shepherd, the conversion of Israel to him, and the final glorification of the kingdom of God. About the authorship of this part of the book doubts have been raised, some ascribing it to Jeremiah because in Matt 27:9-10 a passage is quoted under the name of Jeremiah, while others have put it at a much earlier or much later period on account of the peculiarities of the style.
Of all the prophets, Zechariah is the most obscure, owing to the brevity and conciseness of the diction, the predominance of symbolical and figurative language, and the peculiar character of the subject - the suffering Messiah. But he has a profound insight both into the spiritual meaning and object of the Mosaic dispensation as a schoolmaster leading to Christ, and into the character of the Messiah and the universality of his kingdom.
The book contains six specific references to Christ: Zech 3:8; Zech 6:12; Zech 9:9; Zech 11:12; Neh 12:10; 2 Kgs 13:7, representing him as a lowly servant, a priest and king building Jehovah's temple, the meek and peaceful but universal monarch, the shepherd betrayed for the price of a slave (thirty pieces of silver), the leader to repentance, and the Fellow of Jehovah smitten by Jehovah himself, at once the Redeemer and the Pattern of his flock. Besides the prophet, twenty-seven other persons of the name Zechariah are mentioned in Scripture, among whom are - Seven Levites.
1 Chr 9:21; 1 Chr 15:18; 1 Chr 24:25; 1 Chr 26:11; 2 Chr 20:14; 2 Chr 29:13; 2 Chr 34:12. Four priests. 2 Chr 35:8; Neh 11:12; Neh 12:16, John 12:35, Ex 12:41. The son of the high priest Jehoiada, stoned in the court of the house of the Lord on the command of Joash, king of Judah. 2 Chr 24:20. Two chiefs who returned with Ezra from Babylon. Ezr 8:3, Rev 1:11. The father of Iddo, ruler of Manasseh in Gilead. 1 Chr 27:21. The son of Jeberechiah, whom the prophet Isaiah took as one of the faithful witnesses when he wrote about Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Isa 8:2.