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304 Structure and the Book of Zechariah
9.1-8 10.6-12
9.9-10 10.3-5
9.11-10.2
However, we have seen that this does not represent the connections
that actually exist in the text, nor does it adequately describe the
movement of this overall section. Consequently, I was unable to
present a neat diagram of the structure.
In considering the relation between Zechariah 1-8 and 9-14, we
have found almost nothing that would argue for a unified editing of
the book, let alone common authorship. There are similarities of
theme, theology and language, but these seem to be adequately
explained on the basis of a continuing tradition which was well versed
in the prophet's work and in the older traditions of Israel that he also
knew. 1
In asking whether the results of this study were consonant with
those of other scholars working in the same field some unexpected
points of contact were found (e.g. both Hanson and Willi-Plein, in
very different ways, draw attention to connections between chs. 9 and
10). We did not find anything startlingly out of line with OT
scholarship, and it seems probable that this sort of study could be
combined with more traditional approaches and methods to produce
something new and substantial.
In relation to 'structural studies', my conclusion is that, although
most of the work considered is lacking in rigour and has not taken to
heart the warnings given by various writers, there is every reason to
supppose that the aims of scholars working in this area are valid and
promise much in the future. If they are to be accepted by the majority
of scholars, they need consciously to build on the results of mainline
biblical scholarship. In the words of Muilenburg, they need to be
'form criticism and beyond' (and all that preceded form criticism).
They also need to take notice of the observations listed in Chapter 1
above.
In applying my method to the book of Zechariah, I found that certain
patterns appeared without any effort on my part. 2 Some passages
could be set out in different ways, and it was difficult to state precisely
1. See the section on Mason's thesis in Chapter 4 above.
2. E.g. 1.1-6; 3.1-7, 8-10; 4.1-6aa + 10ap-14; 5.5-11; the overall structure of
chs. 7-8.