Editing Book of Zechariah (section)

== Themes ==

The purpose of this book is not strictly historical but [[theological]] and [[pastoral]]. The main emphasis is that God is at work, and all his good deeds, including the construction of the [[Second Temple]], are accomplished "not by might nor by power, but by [his] Spirit".<ref>{{bibleverse||Zechariah|4:6|HE}}</ref> Ultimately, YHWH plans to live again with his people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin. However, God requires repentance, a turning away from sin towards faith in him.<ref>{{bibleverse||Zechariah|1:2–6|HE}}</ref>

Zechariah's concern for purity is apparent in the temple, priesthood, and all areas of life as the prophecy gradually eliminates the governor's influence in favour of the high priest, and the sanctuary becomes ever more clearly the centre of messianic fulfillment. The prominence of prophecy is quite apparent in Zechariah, but it is also true that Zechariah (along with Haggai) allows prophecy to yield to the priesthood; this is particularly apparent in comparing Zechariah to [[Third Isaiah]] (chapters 55–66 of the [[Book of Isaiah]]), whose author was active sometime after the first return from exile.

Most Christian commentators read the series of predictions in chapters 7 to 14 as [[Claimed Messianic prophecies of Jesus|Messianic prophecies]], either directly or indirectly.<ref>Petterson, A. R., ''Behold Your King: The Hope for the House of David in the Book of Zechariah'' (LHBOTS 513; London: T&T Clark, 2009).</ref> These chapters helped the writers of the [[Gospel]]s understand Jesus's suffering, death, and resurrection, which they quoted as they wrote of Jesus's final days.<ref>For example, see an allusion to Zechariah 9:9 in Matthew 21:5; also Zechariah 12:10 in John 19:37. These and other references between Zechariah and the [[New Testament]] are described in {{Citation   | last = Gill   | first = John   | author-link = John Gill (theologian) | title = Exposition of the Entire Bible: Introduction to Zechariah   | url = http://www.freegrace.net/gill/Zechariah/Zechariah_1.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090604160619/http://www.freegrace.net/gill/Zechariah/Zechariah_1.htm   | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2009-06-04 | access-date = 2008-12-27   }}</ref> Much of the [[Book of Revelation]], which narrates the denouement of history, is also colored by images in Zechariah.

===Apocalyptic literature===
Chapters 9–14 of the Book of Zechariah are an early example of [[apocalyptic literature]]. Although not as fully developed as the apocalyptic [[Vision (spirituality)|vision]]s described in the [[Book of Daniel]], the "[[oracle]]s", as they are titled in these chapters, contain apocalyptic elements. One theme these oracles contain is descriptions of the [[Day of the Lord]], when "the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle".<ref>Zechariah 14:3</ref> These chapters also contain "pessimism about the present, but optimism for the future based on the expectation of an ultimate divine victory and the subsequent transformation of the cosmos".<ref>Coogan, Michael D. ''A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament.'' New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Pg. 353</ref>

The final portion in Zechariah states that on the Day of the Lord, "there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the {{LORD}}",<ref>{{bibleverse-nb||Zech|14:21|KJV}}, KJV</ref> proclaiming the need for purity in the Temple, which would come when God judged at the end of time. The Hebrew word {{lang|he|כְנַעֲנִי}}, often translated as "Canaanite", is alternatively translated as "trader"<ref>[[Revised Standard Version|RSV]]</ref> or "trafficker",<ref>{{bibleverse-nb||Zech|14:21|HE}}, Mechon-Mamre</ref> as in other translations.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Pulpit Commentary |title=Zechariah 14:21 |url=https://biblehub.com/zechariah/14-21.htm |website=BibleHub |quote=The word is used in the sense of "trafficker," or "merchant," in Job 40:30 (Job 41:6, Authorized Version); Proverbs 31:24 (comp. Zephaniah 1:11).}}</ref>