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250 Structure and the Book ofZechariah
'Four' is a prominent number in the first two visions and the last
one, although the first vision does not mention the number four, and
actually mentions one red horse, then more than one each of red,
sorrel and white. This is enough to confuse any neat pattern built
on the basis of 'four'. However, we should note that V2 begins with
i?3iR rum R-IRI TS n« RORI and V6 has rum R"IRI *r» RfoRi Titfto
IOIR. This might well be strong enough to recall the second vision.
We should note that D"?0w features in the first four visions,
together with other related words (p% rrnrr, TJJ) but not at all in the
last four where the geographical canvas is wider (even in the case of
the fourth vision which centres on Joshua and Zerubbabel. Note 4.10b
'whole earth'.) See below for the phrase 'choose Jerusalem'.
'Israel' occurs in 2.2 in the middle of 'Judah' and 'Jerusalem',
where it is often regarded as a gloss. Its use in 8.13 ('house of
Judah.. .Israel') cannot be strongly linked with this. The occurrences
in Zechariah 9, 11 and 12 are too varied to build on.
The Third Vision
This also has few distinctive words in common with other major sections.
'Length' and 'breadth' are the two best candidates, which link it
with the sixth vision, rorrn has a different meaning, 'streets', in 8.4-5.
RS* occurs twice in connection with the two angels who appear in
2.7, which seems unnecessary. The verb also occurs in 5.1-4 (3.#5,
4.#1), and in 5.5-11 (5.##1,12, 6.#7, 9.#7), so that it would make
some sort of link between V2 and VV6 and 7. However, the word also
occurs seven times in V8 (l.#8, 5.#9, 6.##5,10,14, 7.#2, 8.#7) which
is also more than necessary. In the circumstances it seems strange that
the verb does not occur in ch. 1. It is possible that the author intended
a correspondence between V2 and VV6-8, cf. also *9.
There seems to be no connection between the occurrences of "iw, 3"i
and nnm here, despite the fact that 'man (DIR) and beast' are found
together in 2.8 and 8.10.
•pro is an important word in the sections noted above. It is used in
various ways to express Yahweh's favour towards his people in that he
will dwell in the midst of them. It suggests links between V2 (2.8-9)
with its attached oracle (2.14-15), and with the important promise in
8.3-8. It is more doubtful whether the connection is intended with
vv. 6 and 7 (the curse in the midst of the thief's house; and the
woman in the midst of the ephah).