📖 Biblical Definition
Post-exilic prophet (active c. 520 BC), contemporary of Haggai, son of Berechiah, son of Iddo (Zech 1:1). His ministry began in the second year of Darius and was directed at the discouraged returnees rebuilding the second temple in Jerusalem. The book of Zechariah falls into two parts: chs. 1-8 contain eight night visions and oracles encouraging the temple project; chs. 9-14 contain remarkable Messianic prophecies that are quoted extensively in the NT — the King coming humble and riding on a donkey (9:9; Matt 21:5), the thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13; Matt 27:9), the pierced one mourned (12:10; John 19:37; Rev 1:7), the smitten Shepherd (13:7; Matt 26:31), and the return of the LORD to the Mount of Olives (14:4). Zechariah's vision of the Branch (3:8; 6:12) is one of Scripture's clearest pre-NT names for the coming Messiah. The prophet whose ministry began with temple-encouragement ended with the broadest sweep of messianic vision in the Minor Prophets.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Post-exilic prophet of the coming Messiah.
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A prophet of the post-exilic period whose night visions, oracles of the Branch, and foretelling of the King riding humble on a donkey, the pierced one, and the returning Lord on the Mount of Olives, are densely Messianic.
📖 Key Scripture
Zechariah 9:9 — "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion... behold, thy King cometh unto thee... lowly, and riding upon an ass."
Zechariah 12:10 — "They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him."
Zechariah 14:4 — "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Ignored as a minor prophet when in fact he is among the most quoted in the Passion narratives.
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The Passion narratives lean on Zechariah constantly: triumphal entry on a donkey, thirty pieces of silver, the shepherd struck and the sheep scattered, the pierced one. Read Zechariah and the gospels read differently.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Zekaryah — YHWH remembers.
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['Hebrew', 'H2148', 'Zekaryah', 'YHWH remembers']
['Hebrew', 'H6780', 'tzemach', 'branch, sprout (Messianic)']
Usage
"Read Zechariah before reading the Passion."
"The Branch is the Messiah."