Zechariah 8
Columns B1–2 of the Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nahal Hever (8HevXII gr) - circa 50 B.C. to A.D. 50; text is Zechariah 8:18–9:7.
BookBook of Zechariah
CategoryNevi'im
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part38

Zechariah 8 is the eighth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2][3] This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.[4] This chapter is a part of a section (so-called "First Zechariah") consisting of Zechariah 1–8.[5] This chapter contains a continuation of the subject in the seventh chapter.[6]

Text

The original text was written in the Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 23 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Codex Cairensis (from year 895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[7][8][a] Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, that is, 4Q80 (4QXIIe; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 2–4, 6–7.[9][10][11][12]

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[13] Some fragments containing parts of this chapter (a revision of the Septuagint) were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, i.e., Naḥal Ḥever 8Ḥev1 (8ḤevXIIgr); late 1st century BCE) with extant verses 19–21, 23.[10][14][15]

Restoration of Jerusalem (8:1–8)

This section returns to the 'renewal theme of earlier oracles in the vision cycle' (cf. Zechariah 1:14,16).[16]

Verse 7

Thus saith the Lord of hosts;
Behold, I will save my people
from the east country,
and from the west country;[17]

Verse 8

And I will bring them,
and they shall dwell in the middle of Jerusalem:
and they shall be my people,
and I will be their God,
in truth and in righteousness.[19]

Prosperity of Jerusalem (8:9–13)

This part of the oracle returns to the theme of temple building (cf. Haggai 2:15–19).[16]

Verse 12

For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.[22]

Expectations for Jerusalem (8:14–17)

This section's central message is the expectations of YHWH that in view of the restoration (8:1–8) and promised prosperity (8:9–13), Jerusalem must live according to her renewed status as covenant people.[24]

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem (8:18–23)

This final part of the oracle in Zechariah 7–8 returns to the beginning theme of "fasting", arranged as a 'bracketing device' with 7:1–7, as indicated in some clues:[25]

Verse 19

200 mil stamp. Holy Arks in a synagogue in Safed.
20 mil stamp. Holy Arks in a synagogue in Jerusalem
Joyous Festivals 5714 stamps of Israel. Inscription on tab: "...Joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts" Zechariah 8:19.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts;
The fast of the fourth month,
and the fast of the fifth,
and the fast of the seventh,
and the fast of the tenth,
shall be to the house of Judah
joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts;
therefore love the truth and peace.[26]

Verse 23

Thus saith the Lord of hosts;
In those days it shall come to pass,
that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations,
even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying,
We will go with you:
for we have heard that God is with you.[27]

See also

  • Related Bible parts: Isaiah 43, Ephesians 4

    • Notes

    1. ^ Aleppo Codex (930) at present only contains Zechariah 9:17b–14:21.[9]

    References

    1. ^ Collins 2014, p. 421.
    2. ^ Hayes 2015, Chapter 23.
    3. ^ Zechariah, Book of. Jewish Encyclopedia
    4. ^ Mason 1993, pp. 826–828.
    5. ^ Coogan 2007, p. 1357 Hebrew Bible.
    6. ^ a b c d e f Robert Jamieson, Andrew Robert Fausset; David Brown. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary On the Whole Bible. 1871.
    7. ^ Würthwein 1995, pp. 35–37.
    8. ^ Boda 2016, pp. 2–3.
    9. ^ a b Boda 2016, p. 3.
    10. ^ a b Dead sea scrolls – Zechariah
    11. ^ Ulrich 2010, p. 622.
    12. ^ Fitzmyer 2008, p. 39.
    13. ^ Würthwein 1995, pp. 73–74.
    14. ^ Fitzmyer 2008, p. 128.
    15. ^ Boda 2016, p. 5.
    16. ^ a b Larkin 2007, p. 612.
    17. ^ Zechariah 8:7 KJV
    18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). On "Zechariah 8". In: The Pulpit Commentary. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.
    19. ^ Zechariah 8:8 KJV
    20. ^ a b c d e Barnes, Albert. Notes on the Bible - Zechariah 8. James Murphy (ed). London: Blackie & Son, 1884. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.
    21. ^ Gill, John. Exposition of the Entire Bible. "Zechariah 8". Published in 1746-1763.
    22. ^ Zechariah 8:12 KJV
    23. ^ Hebrew Text Analysis: Zechariah 8:12. Biblehub.
    24. ^ Merrill 2003, p. 200.
    25. ^ a b Merrill 2003, p. 202.
    26. ^ Zechariah 8:19 KJV
    27. ^ Zechariah 8:23
    28. ^ Larkin 2007, p. 613.

    Sources

    External links

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    Christian

    Book of Zechariah
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