Zechariah 1–8, sometimes referred to as First Zechariah, was written in the 6th century BC and contains oracles from the historical prophet Zechariah, who lived in the Achaemenid Empire during the kingdom of Darius the Great. Most modern scholars believe the Book of Zechariah was written by at least two different people. This is supported by Zechariah's interest in the Temple and the priesthood, and from Iddo's preaching in the Books of Chronicles.Īuthorship Greek manuscript of Zechariah from c. It has been speculated that his grandfather Iddo was the head of a priestly family who returned with Zerubbabel and that Zechariah may have been a priest as well as a prophet. The name "Zechariah" means "God remembered." Not much is known about Zechariah's life other than what may be inferred from the book. This policy was good politics on the part of the Persians, and the Jews viewed it as a blessing from God. The rebuilding of the Temple was encouraged by the leaders of the empire in hopes that it would strengthen the authorities in local contexts. Unlike the Babylonians, the Persian Empire went to great lengths to keep “cordial relations” between vassal and lord. Under the reign of Darius, Zechariah also emerged, centering on the rebuilding of the Temple. Zerubbabel comes into the story, appointed by Darius as governor over the district of Yehud Medinata. His system divided the different colonies of the empire into easily manageable districts overseen by governors. After the death of Cyrus in 530 BC, Darius consolidated power and took office in 522 BC.
In 538 BC, the famous Edict of Cyrus was released, and the first return took place under Sheshbazzar. Eventually freedom did come to many Israelites, when Cyrus the Great overtook the Babylonians in 539 BC. Zechariah is specific about dating his writing (520–518 BC).ĭuring the exile, many Judahites and Benjamites were taken to Babylon, where the prophets told them to make their homes, suggesting they would spend a long period of time there.
Scholars believe Ezekiel, with his blending of ceremony and vision, heavily influenced the visionary works of Zechariah 1–8. Ezekiel and Jeremiah wrote before the fall of Jerusalem while continuing to prophesy in the early exile period.
Zechariah's prophecies took place during the reign of Darius the Great and were contemporary with Haggai in a post- exilic world after the fall of Jerusalem in 587/586 BC. The Book of Zechariah, attributed to the Hebrew prophet Zechariah, is included in the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible.
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