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92 Structure and the Book of Zechariah
v. ISa: 1 it seems to need a further explanatory word.
Various verbal links can be noted between vv. 16-17 and the
preceding passage: Dm vv. 12, 16; D'^tfn' vv. 12, 14, 16, 17; ]VX
vv. 14, 17; TJ) vv. 12, 17; Dm vv. 13, 17; aio vv.13, 17; mp vv. 14,
17 (ro, vv. 14, 16, 17, is not a significant word but it does not recur
in the rest of the section and is worth comparing with 8.1-8); »3S
vv. 12, 14, 16, 17 (only).
The structure of v. 14b recalls v. 2 where *]Sp sandwiches the rest
of the verse; 14b is also chiastic on its own:
D'JBJW'?
'ntop
rrmj nap ]Vyn
If we include v. 15a there is a slightly larger chiasmus produced:
rhra niop ivirti D^nrrr 1 ? 'nwp
*pp '» Vn: «]*pi
Up to this point the meaning is ambiguous; for nwp can mean 'anger';
v. 15a, therefore, brings relief from the considerable tension that has
been built up through this chapter. The hearers have not been able to
rejoice up to this point, but here it becomes clear that God's anger
now is directed towards the nations, and the nwp of v. 15a is zeal for
Jerusalem, not anger towards it. This, therefore, forms a climax, if
not the climax for the chapter.
We note here also the close similarity between this and 8.2, 2 both in
words and form:
rfrru m«p JVS 1 ? 'PWp
rr? 'ntop rfyro nnm
This is the start of God's declaration to act which stands at the heart of
chs. 7-8. Thus additional importance and emphasis is indicated.
1. Contra Amsler, 'Zacharie', p. 65.
2. See below on Zech. 7-8, and on Zech. 1 in Chapter 4.