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4. Connections Between Sections ofZechariah 1—14 251
One possibility which does not show up in the table is that
'measuring line' is a significant motif (in 1.16 the word used is mp
[hapax legomenon] and not *?3n). If so, we should suppose that the
editor who added the end of ch. 1 intended a connection with the
third vision. However, there is little verbal repetition, so that we could
as well argue that this was not a conscious intention. Zech. 11.7, 14,
'bands' or 'union', may be discounted from this discussion.
330 is not distinctive enough for our purposes. The form in 2.9 is
different from the others, and that which surrounds is also different:
'fire', 'her cities', 'peoples' (12.2; 14.14). In Zech. 14.10 the verb
form is completely different.
It is of particular interest to enquire whether we can confirm that V2
is intended to be parallel to V6 or VI, and similarly for V3. We may
say that such evidence as there is from this method of investigation
supports the linking of V2 with V7 ('lift up' only), and V3 with V6
('length and breadth', 'go forth' [2x], 'in the midst'), but (less plausibly)
also with V7 ('where?', 'go forth' [4x], and 'in the midst' [2x]). We
should, however, also remember that V2 and V3 are strongly linked
by the whole introductory formula mio *rj> n« KCKT n:m, so that there
are grounds for treating VV2, 3, 6 and 7 together in some sense. 1
This question is discussed by several scholars. For example,
Meyers: 2 the visions are labelled 1-7; ch. 3 is called a 'prophetic
vision'. In my terminology they put the following visions parallel:
VI and V8 (e.g. horses)
V2 and V7 (e.g. internal structure, two parts each)
V3 and V6 (e.g. direct inclusion of oracular material)
Inverse order can be established on stylistic grounds. This establishes
the central two as a pair. Stylistic contrast, rather than stylistic correspondence,
characterizes these.
The correspondence is also established by the scope of the visions:
VI and V8: Universal. God's omniscience/omnipotence
V2 and V7: International. Judah, the empires/Yehud, Persia
V3 and V6: National. Jerusalem's territory/self-rule of Yehud
V4 + V5: Jerusalem. Leadership, temple
1. Note also that VV1-4 are linked by the phrase 'choose Jerusalem' (1.17;
2.16; 3.2).
2. Haggai, Zechariah, pp. liv-lvi.