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3. The Structure of Individual Sections of Zechariah 115
There appears to be some textual corruption, and it is not clear
whether 4b|3 should be construed as:
1. Yahweh's continuing declaration of his action (which seems
to be the meaning of the MT). 1
2. A continuation of the narrative: 'they clothed him in rich
apparel'. This has not yet been commanded and may be considered
premature. It also requires a major change in the text.
3. A continuation of the imperative: 'and clothe him', 2 which
makes the best sense, especially if we are prepared to move
4b to the end of v. 5.
The present text is the most difficult and we should retain it. This
gives us the following pattern:
(-) & l b l c l d l v^n D'Rxn D'ljnn won
am V^K -inK'i
(-) a 2 d 2 b 2 -pii; -p'wa 'mmm
(+) a 3 d 3 b 3 m^nn -jnn eJaSii
1DK1
(+) a 4 b 4 c 2 d 4 i0»o by -nno *p]x va'to'
(+) a 4 b 4 c 2 d 4 itfKt ha -nnon *p2*n iQ'ftn
(+) a 3 (d 3 )b j D'-in itt^'i
This strange section exhibits the following characteristics:
1. The two negative actions 'taking off filthy clothes' and
'taking away sin' are put first. One is a physical action and
one is a 'spiritual' one.
2. The reports of the two positive physical actions (putting on a
clean gown, and 'garments' ) are put together last.
3. In the middle are the anticipations of these two actions
spoken by Yahweh (and T ?).
4. D'lJD forms an inclusio for this section (b 1 ) within the
DnDB/iofi already mentioned.
The remaining part of vv. 1-7 (viz. vv. 5bp~7) is again enclosed by
IDS (5.#16) and D'inan. A symmetry is again noticeable:
1. GKC 113z, infinitive absolute with 2 m. sing, object as in 4ba. This would
represent the continuation of a finite verb.
2. GKC recommends in« iBJa'jm ('with Wellhausen, after the LXX'); see above.