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244 Structure and the Book ofZechariah
2.8. The participle ('inhabitants') is used in 8.20-21, 11.6, 12.5, 7-8,
10, 13.1. The idea of security is implied in 10.6, 14.10-11.
Dm refers to Yahweh's compassion in chs. 1 and 10, and to the
people's in 7.9. Taken together with Dm (1.13, 17; 8.19; 10.2) it helps
to strengthen the connection of the vision itself 1 with vv. 1-6, 16-17 and
also chs. 7-8, and to make it possible to think of a link with ch. 10.
'Jerusalem' and 'Judah' must be considered together with 'city' and
'Zion'. These are concentrated together in 1.12-17 (lOx); ch. 2 (llx);
chs. 7-8 (16x)in Zechariah 1-8 (only 3.2 lies outside these references
and this is connected with the editorial sections by being joined with
"ira as in 1.17 and 2.16). In Zechariah 9-14 they are more spread out
but still congregate together in chs. 12 (17x) and 14 (16x). We can at
least confirm that the editor or editors of both sections of the book has
or have a particularly strong concern for Jerusalem. It could be that
this distinguishes him or them from the author of the main part of
Zechariah 1-8, but their use in 2.1-9 undermines this suggestion.
Similar remarks could be made of '"U. See the table above.
natf D'Jnttf nr is a strong link between the first vision 2 and the concluding
collection of oracles in chs. 7-8. Both refer to the period of
the exile as one of suffering. In 7.5 an original point is made that, even
in their outward penitence, the Israelites' thoughts were not focused on
God. Despite this the passage goes on to give a promise of salvation.
310 is normally a common word, but in Zechariah it only occurs in
1.13 (good words), 17 (cities overflow with good), 8.19 (good
seasons), 9.17 ('How good!') and 11.12 ('If it [seems] good...').
Although there is some similarity between the first three occurrences,
which would strengthen the link between chs. 1 and 7-8, it must be
regarded with caution.
no3 is a fairly distinctive word, but its use in 1.16 and 12.1 is
different.
ps is remarkable in that it is only found twice, each time with the
same qal imperfect second feminine plural form. The meaning is similar
in that both refer to the scattering of the people of Israel. However,
whereas 13.7 speaks of Yahweh's scattering of 'the sheep' in
1. Unless those scholars are right who regard 1.12-13 as redactional. However,
if this is all we can find, we might reconsider the conclusions reached in Chapter 3
about the construction of Zech. 1.7-17 (see pp. 86-90 above).
2. See previous note.