Read this if you…
- like apocalyptic night-vision sequences (flying scrolls, lampstands, a woman in a basket)
- want the messianic prophecies the gospels lean on most: the humble king on a donkey, the pierced one
- care about post-exilic prophets rallying a discouraged community to rebuild the temple
Skip this if you…
- don't want to read explicitly religious/Christian texts
Depicted in Art
Enthroned, bearded prophet in green cloak reading from a heavy book, two putti looking over his shoulder; one of seven prophet pendentives.
Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1512
Foreshortened prophet seen from below, leaning out from a painted architectural niche, holding an open scroll.
Melozzo da Forli, 1477
Bust-length prophet within a roundel of the baptistery's gold-ground mosaic ceiling, holding a scroll.
Standing prophet in classical robes holding a curved sickle (the flying scroll of his sixth vision rendered as a blade), framed by gold.
985
Half-length prophet with a turban and unfurled scroll bearing 'Exulta satis filia Sion' (Zechariah 9:9), set in a stone lunette above the Annunciation panels.
Jan van Eyck, 1432
Recommended Editions
King James Version
Oxford University Press · 1611
The most influential and commonly quoted translation in English. The prose rhythm everyone else is responding to, even modern translations.
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Notable Quotes
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Jerome, Church Father & Bible translator, c. 347–420: The longest and the most obscure of the Twelve Prophets.
- Martin Luther, Protestant Reformation theologian & reformer, 1483–1546: Luther called Zechariah the quintessence of Old Testament prophecy, lecturing on it more than on any other minor prophet.
- George L. Robinson, biblical scholar, 1864–1958: "The most Messianic, the most truly apocalyptic and eschatological, of all the writings of the Old Testament."
- Joyce G. Baldwin, Old Testament scholar, 1921–1995: "Next to Ezekiel, Zechariah has influenced the author of Revelation more than any other Old Testament writer."
- Tremper Longman III, Old Testament scholar, b. 1952: Apart from Ezekiel, no Old Testament book shaped Revelation more, and none is quoted more in the Gospel passion narratives.