Editing Book of Zechariah (section)

==Historical context==
One of the three prophets from the post-[[Babylonian captivity|exilic]] period, Zechariah's prophecies took place during the reign of [[Darius the Great]].<ref>{{bibleverse||Zechariah|1:1|HE}}</ref> Chapters 1–8 of the book are contemporary with the prophecies of [[Haggai]],<ref>Carol L. Meyers and Eric M. Meyers, ''Haggai, Zechariah 1–8: The Anchor Bible''. Garden City, Doubleday and Company Inc., 1987. {{ISBN|978-0-385-14482-7}}. Page 183.</ref> while chapters 9–14 (often termed Second Zechariah) are thought to have been written much later—in the 5th century, during the late Persian or early Ptolemaic period.<ref name=Nelson2014>{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Richard D.|author-link=Richard D. Nelson|title=Historical Roots of the Old Testament (1200–63&nbsp;BCE)|pages=215–216|publisher=SBL Press|year=2014|isbn=978-1628370065|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AJ64BAAAQBAJ}}</ref> Scholars believe that [[Ezekiel]], with his blending of ceremony and vision, heavily influenced the visionary works of Zechariah 1–8.<ref>Meyers, p. 30.</ref>

During the exile, a significant portion of the population of the [[Kingdom of Judah]] was taken to [[Babylon]], where the prophets told them to make their homes,<ref>{{bibleverse||Jeremiah|29|HE}}</ref> suggesting they would spend a long time there. [[Cyrus the Great]] conquered the [[Neo-Babylonian Empire]] in 539 BC. The following year, he released the [[Edict of Cyrus]], which marked the beginning of the first [[Return to Zion|return to Judah]] under [[Zerubbabel#Sheshbazzar|Sheshbazzar]].

Darius acceded to the throne in 522 BC. He divided the many regions of the empire into provinces, each of which was overseen by a governor. [[Zerubbabel]] was appointed by Darius as governor over Judah (now redesignated the province of [[Yehud Medinata]] of the [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian Empire]]). Under the reign of Darius, Zechariah also emerged, focusing his prophecies on the rebuilding of the [[Temple in Jerusalem#Second Temple|Temple]]. Unlike the Babylonians, the Persian Empire went to great lengths to keep cordial relations between vassal and lord. The rebuilding of the Temple was encouraged by the Persian monarchs in hopes that it would stabilize the local population. This policy was good politics on the part of the Persians, and the Jews viewed it as a blessing from God.<ref>Meyers, pp. 31–2.</ref>