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102 Structure and the Book ofZechariah
Zechariah2.10-17
Here we may ignore words 6 and 29-30 but must consider the other
words (from 28 to 41, plus 15 and 25-26)
This section begins with a call ('in 'in) to the exiles (2nd pi.) to flee
from the north, for Yahweh scattered them (abroad) as the four winds
of heaven. The next verse reinforces this appeal ('in once only) by calling
to Zion (2nd f. sing.) who dwells with the daughter of Babylon. 1
It is worth noting the probable parallel between fleeing from
IIDX pK, (which may have mythological overtones, as the dwelling of
the gods), and Yahweh's rousing himself from his holy dwelling
(iGhp JWDO), vv. 10, 17. Perhaps ^33 also adds to this.
A feature of this section is the number of motive clauses introduced
by '3 (v. lOb already, and vv. 12a, 12b, 13a, 14b, 17b). Verses 12-16
depend on what has been said in vv. 10-11.
p% vv. 11, 12 and 14, is used instead of Jerusalem as the prophecy
changes from judgment to salvation. In both cases an appeal is made to
Zion. No other significance is obvious.
ra, vv. 11, 14. Both verses address Zion directly, but D3 occurs
with "?33 in the former. Is it possible that *?33 P3 (v. 11) and D333
(v. 12) are meant to resonate? Zion dwells with *?33 ra but is actually
ir^ D333. From a structural point of view we may say that v. 11 and
v. 14 are perhaps parallel.
n«3^ nin' occurs only three times, always in connection with the
'jrfttf.
D'U and bbti. The nations are the object of God's judgment in
vv. 12-13, although the word itself only occurs in v. 12. Those who
spoiled become spoil to their servants. In v. 15 they become part of
God's people. V?tf is a quite distinctive word, which is also similar in
sound to nbttf.
WJ. These two occurrences are too close together to have any
structuring function.
'jrftti, 12.#8, 13.#14, 15.#17. The form is the same each time except
that the second is in pause. Unfortunately the meaning of the first
occurrence is obscure. Presumably in the other two we are meant
to understand that the speaker is 'the angel who spoke with me',
who was to run to the young man in v. 8 (see above). In v. 12 he
1. The emendation to HN '3tfv lobon is attractive but makes little difference for
our purposes, and is only possibly supported by LXX.