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3. The Structure of Individual Sections of Zechariah 87
The Structure of Zechariah 1.1-6
Verse 1 is an introduction to the prophecy of Zechariah, which is not,
however, so separate from the following prophecy as usual. The date
is given. This is special in that it is the first occurrence.
Verse 2 fits well as a summary of the present situation and its cause.
In form it emphasizes as strongly as possible the wrath of Yahweh, in
having the root f]^p as an inclusio for this short verse.
Many commentators regard this as an addition to the text, 1 but, if
that is so, it seems to have been done in connection with vv. 14-15.
See below.
Verse 3 starts again. The prophet is not given a direct message for
himself but for the people (mnKi). There follows another summarizing
verse for the future: 'Turn to me and I will turn to you'. There is
the strongest possible emphasis on 'Yahweh of hosts'. This title also
occurs in v. 4 in a very similar context.
Verse 4 takes up ideas used already:
wraio n-nn •?&, cf. v. 2 CDTTOR by
D'Mftrin D'R'33 DTP 1 ?* 'ttOp, cf. V. 1 K'33n and
v. 3 Drr^K mow
ruox nvr -OR ro, cf. v. 3
mel, cf. v. 3 mtf, aitfto
This is expanded with D'mn nr^um D'inn Drrmn and the negative
result is given:
'•?& 13'tdpn aVi, cf. v. 3 ''PK -ova
Perhaps 3tfp is chosen for its similarity with Titf. It occurs otherwise
only in 7.11 Ttfpn1? UKITI. It is also similar in sound to *}*p
(v. 2.##1,5)
1. E.g. Amsler el al., Agee, Zacharle, Malachl, p. 56, who regards it as placed
there to indicate an important element in Zechariah's message. There is now a more
positive appraisal of 1.2 than is evident in older commentaries (e.g. Mitchell et al.,
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Jonah, pp. 109-10). Petersen notes that the verse
sits loosely in its present position, but also feels that it does at least three things:
summarizes past relationships between Yahweh and Israel; establishes a link between
generations; allows for a distinction between various generations and their relation
ship to Yahweh (Haggai and Zechariah, pp. 129-30). Rudolph is emphatic that the
verse (a 'Hinzufiigung') should be kept, and links it with v. 15 (Haggai, p. 66).
The Meyers' see it as connecting the three parts of Zechariah (1.1-6; 1.7-6.15; 7-8)
(Haggai, Zechariah, p. 92).