Saturday, May 30, 2020

Teaching Notes Book of Zechariah - Chapters 11 and 12

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Teaching Notes Book of 
Zechariah - Chapters 11 and 12


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Quarantine Day 79.   Riots in downtown Atlanta, GA.   A great way to celebrate Quarantine. 






Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


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Zechariah 11

New International Version

11 Open your doors, Lebanon,
    so that fire may devour your cedars!
2 Wail, you juniper, for the cedar has fallen;
    the stately trees are ruined!
Wail, oaks of Bashan;
    the dense forest has been cut down!
3 Listen to the wail of the shepherds;
    their rich pastures are destroyed!
Listen to the roar of the lions;
    the lush thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Two Shepherds

4 This is what the Lord my God says: “Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter. 5 Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the Lord, I am rich!’ Their own shepherds do not spare them. 6 For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the Lord. “I will give everyone into the hands of their neighbors and their king. They will devastate the land, and I will not rescue anyone from their hands.”

7 So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock. 8 In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.

The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them 9 and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”

10 Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. 11 It was revoked on that day, and so the oppressed of the flock who were watching me knew it was the word of the Lord.



12 I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

13 And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.




14 Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.

15 Then the Lord said to me, “Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.




17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd,
    who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm and his right eye!
    May his arm be completely withered,
    his right eye totally blinded!”



Zechariah 12

New International Version

Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed
12 A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel.

The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: 2 “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 




3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. 4 On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. 5 Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’

6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.

7 “The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. 8 On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.




Mourning for the One They Pierced

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit[a] of grace and supplication. They will look on[b] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives.

Footnotes
Zechariah 12:10 Or the Spirit

Zechariah 12:10 Or to



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Messianic Previews in the Book of Zechariah
By Wayne Jackson

Follow Wayne Jackson here

   
"The kingdom of Judah continued to dredge itself into apostasy until a day of calamity was inevitable. In a series of three invasions by the Babylonians (606 B.C., 597 B.C., and 586 B.C.) the nation was devastated. The land was ravaged, Jerusalem was destroyed, and some seventy thousand Hebrews were taken into captivity.

Jeremiah had prophetically proclaimed that the captivity period would be a full seventy years (25:12). When Cyrus, the Persian monarch, conquered Babylon (ca. 536 B.C.), he issued an edict permitting the Israelites to return to their homeland (Isaiah 44:26-45:6). It is estimated that approximately one hundred twenty-five thousand Jews came back to Canaan in three campaigns, led by Zerubbabel (536 B.C.), Ezra (457 B.C.), and Nehemiah (444 B.C.).

Under the leadership of Zerubbabel some fifty thousand Hebrews returned home. Among these were two prophets of considerable importance—Haggai and Zechariah.

The Jews began rebuilding their temple, but soon became discouraged and the work fell idle—and remained so for fourteen years. It was Haggai’s appointed task to stir up the people to complete the temple project (see Ezra 5:1; 6:14; the book of Haggai). Zechariah, a companion prophet who began his ministry about two months following Haggai, was chosen to motivate the Hebrews to repentance and a deeper level of spiritual dedication (see Zechariah 1:1-6).

Major Divisions of Zechariah
The book of Zechariah falls into two major segments. Chapters 1-8 deal principally with Judah’s spiritual restoration. Chapters 9-14 primarily express a concern about Israel and her Messiah. This article will chiefly deal with the Messianic emphases that are prominent in this Old Testament narrative.

While Isaiah is generally characterized as the “Messianic” prophet, there is a significant Messianic emphasis in Zechariah’s document as well. In a period of history that was rather dark, it was Zechariah’s chore to declare that even though Israel no longer had a king (only a foreign-appointed provincial governor), the Messianic torch had not gone out. The glorious day of the coming Ruler was on the prophetic horizon. Let us reflect upon some of the glimpses of the coming Christ in this remarkable document.

Messianic Prophetic Flashes
The Branch (3:8; 6:12-13)
The prophet Isaiah had spoken of a “branch” that would come out of the stock of Jesse, father of David (Isaiah 11:1-5), and Jeremiah echoed the happy refrain, telling of the “righteous Branch” who would reign as king, and who is himself divine, “Jehovah our righteousness” (23:5-6; cf. 33:14-17).

Through Zechariah the Lord proclaims: “[B]ehold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch” (3:8). The promise is expanded in 6:12-13 where the Branch is identified as: (a) a human person; (b) one who would “grow up” from childhood (cf. Isaiah 53:2; Micah 5:2); (c) he would build the temple of Jehovah, a figure for the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5); (d) the Branch would be glorified (cf. Luke 24:26), and then simultaneously serve as a king and priest, with perfect harmony prevailing between these offices—a refrain echoed in the book of Hebrews (cf. 1:1-4). (See also Zechariah 6:12-13 – The Royal Priest.)

The Humble King (9:9)
Surely it constituted a shocking picture that a king should approach an impending coronation riding on a donkey. While royal persons might travel in such a fashion during a time of emergency (cf. 2 Samuel 16:2), such was far from the norm. From the time of Saul (1 Samuel 8:11), then David and Solomon, the kings of Israel line had employed the majestic horse as a war implement, and to demonstrate their grandiose stature.

Jehovah had forbidden his people to “multiply” horses, i.e., trust in these powerful animals as defense mechanisms instead of him (Deuteronomy 17:16; cf. Joshua 11:6, 9), but David used horses for his chariots (2 Samuel 8:4). Additionally, Solomon marshaled a considerable depository of horses (cf. 1 Kings 4:26—though forty thousand appears to be a transcription error for four thousand; cf. 2 Chronicles 9:25).

How strange, therefore, that the greatest ruler who ever claimed the hearts of men, the King of kings, should make his final entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey — especially one that never had been ridden. In the midst of an excited crowd, “an unbroken animal remains calm under the hand of the Messiah who controls nature ([Matthew] 8:23-27; 14:22-32)” (Carson 1984, 438). The entrance into the city was intended to be symbolic.

A key term in the passage is “meek.” The Greek words, praus (an adjective) and prautes (a noun) were employed in a variety of senses in antiquity. In classical Greek they could be used of taming an animal or of a conquered barbarian. The terms suggested a calm, soothing disposition that easily yields to reconciliation. In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) prautes was applied to Moses (Numbers 12:3), and to David (Psalm 132:1 LXX); it hints of an attitude of “religious quality involving radical submission to God and modesty in dealings with other people” (Spicq 1994, 167).

Thus meekness has both a vertical and horizontal dimension. And this superb quality finds its ultimate expression in the great King who entered Jerusalem en route to the cross. As noted already, meekness reflects a submissive attitude of the soul towards God. It beautifully pictures the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus in leaving heaven and through obedience becoming a servant on our behalf (Philippians 2:5-8). It accurately describes the faithfulness of Christ during the third of a century he was on earth (John 8:29). And the term denotes the benevolent demeanor of him who invites all men to “learn of” him, for he is “meek and lowly in heart,” and offers “rest” for the weary soul (Matthew 11:29). (For a magnificent discussion of this meekness, see Findlay 1909, 159-161.)

Betrayed (11:12-13)
Zechariah 11 is an ominous chapter in that it deals with a projected “slaughter” of Jehovah’s “flock,” designated as the “flock of slaughter” (vv. 4, 7). Most scholars are convinced that this is a prophetic preview of the Roman invasion of the Jewish people in A.D. 70. The reason for the prophesied devastation lies in Israel’s rejection of Jehovah’s true Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

The treachery involved in the betrayal of Christ is vividly portrayed in verses 12-13. Consider some of the details.

The prophecy suggested there would be a haggling of terms in connection with the betrayal of Jesus. “If you think good, give me my hire; and if not, forbear.” Matthew records Judas’ words as follows: “What are you willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” (Matthew 26:15).
The prophet specified the metallic composition of the coinage by which the transaction would be made. It was neither gold nor copper, but rather “silver” (Matthew 26:15).
The precise number of coins was prophetically declared — thirty pieces of silver. The amount is not incidental. Thirty pieces of silver, under the Mosaic law, was the price paid to remedy the damage done to a slave that had been gored by a neighbor’s ox (Exodus 21:32). Christ went to the cross as the “servant” of God (doulos — a slave; Philippians 2:7).
Zechariah’s prophecy indicated that the money would be returned to the Jewish leaders, the custodians of “the house of God.” Matthew’s record reveals that Judas, in a swoon of regret, brought back the coinage to the chief priests and elders. But they would have none of it.
The ancient prophet indicated that in some way the silver coins were to be “cast” (thrown) into the “house of Jehovah.” Zechariah has perfectly depicted the act of the betrayer. Judas “cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary” (Matthew 27:5).
Finally, Zechariah suggested that the ultimate destination of the “goodly price” would be to “the potter.” Matthew explains this enigmatic expression. The chief priests took the money and purchased a “potter’s field,” which would serve as a burial place for strangers. At the time Matthew penned his Gospel record (some twenty to thirty years after Christ’s death), the place was still known as “the field of blood” (27:8; cf. Acts 1:18-19). (For further study, see Zechariah’s Amazing Prophecy of the Betrayal of Christ.

Mourning in Jerusalem (12:10ff)

The prophet speaks of a coming “day” when there would be great “mourning” in Jerusalem. This is not a mourning over Jerusalem’s fall (11:1ff), but a mourning on the part of many Jews because of the realization that they had crucified their Messiah. They were not to despair in hopelessness. The Lord would “pour out” (signifying abundance) a “spirit of grace and supplication” (cf. the repetitious “spirit of...” in Isaiah 11:1ff).

The term “grace” points to the generous gift of Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, i.e., for those who access God’s favor by means of obedience to Christ (Romans 3:24-26; 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 5:8-9).

“Supplication” suggests a petition that solicits God to supply his favor in the forgiveness of sin. The fulfillment was seen on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1ff) when the good news (gospel) was announced to the penitent Jews. In spite of the fact that they crucified their own Messiah (in conjunction with the “lawless” Gentiles—2:23), they are promised that “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (2:21). This was not a repetition of the so-called “sinner’s prayer” (for which there is no biblical precedent), but a response to the divinely specified plan for obtaining pardon (2:38; cf. 22:16). The term “saved” (v. 21) is the equivalent of “remission of sins” (v. 38); hence, “call” (v. 21) corresponds to “repent and be immersed” (v. 38). Calling is obeying!

Many of the Hebrews would reflect deeply upon him whom they “pierced” (a prophecy of the bloody mode involved in Christ’s death), and as a result they would “mourn.” Their mourning is reflected in the term “pricked” (Acts 2:37), a metaphor depicting sharp pain associated with anxiety and remorse. Such could be relieved only by forgiveness. Jesus himself promised that those who mourned would be comforted (Matthew 5:4). The apostle John suggests that the effect of seeing Jesus crucified was at least a partial fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy (John 19:37).

One might observe as well that there will be a mourning on the part of all who reject Jesus as Savior, as they reflect upon their foolish and wasted lives, having “pierced” him in principle (cf. Hebrews 6:6), if not in physical reality. There will be a mourning in judgment (cf. Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:30; Romans 14:11-12).

The Cleansing Fountain (13:1)
The prophet declares that “in that day,” i.e., at the commencement of the Messianic era, “there shall be a fountain opened.” The tense denotes progressive duration, i.e., it is opened and remains open (cf. Lamentations 3:22). The expression “fountain” suggests a fresh, steady supply, in contrast to a cistern or well. It is a source adequate for all needs. The efficacy of Jesus’ death was so powerful that, potentially, it could have atoned for the sins of every human being in the entire history of the world — both past, present, and future! This is a reality much too wonderful for sinful humans to fathom.

The fountain symbolizes the shedding of the blood of him who has been “pierced” (12:10). The fountain was “opened” for sin and uncleanness. The former term derives from a root suggesting “to miss the mark” (cf. “not miss”—Judges 20:16), and it emphasizes that sin is a violation of divine law (cf. Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4), whether by commission or omission, knowingly or in ignorance. The term “uncleanness” reveals the effect of sin. It leaves the sinner filthy and repulsive. The residue of sin is removed, not by earned human merit, but only by divine forgiveness accessed through humble obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9).

The Shepherd Slain (13:7)
Through his prophet “Jehovah of hosts” (found fifty-two times in this book) speaks. This descriptive for God suggests that the Lord has limitless resources to employ for the good of his people. Jehovah figuratively addresses the “sword” (a symbol for an instrument of death), as though it has been slumbering while awaiting the eventual and inevitable death of the shepherd.

The object of the sword (instrument of judgment) is “my shepherd.” Christ took the fatal blow that was due all who have earned the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23). Note that even though the Shepherd is to be killed, he still is acknowledged as “my” Shepherd.

Further, he is identified as a man. He is the “seed of woman” who became “flesh” and dwelt among men (John 1:14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:16). And yet, he also is described as the one who is “my fellow.” The expression derives from an original term meaning “to connect, to join, to bind together.” It implies an equality of nature (John 10:30), thus a unity between the Persons of the sacred Godhead.

The term “shepherd” cannot but bring to mind the affirmation of Christ: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”—quite in contrast to the “hirelings,” who were the leaders of the Jewish community (John 10:1ff). Furthermore, the Shepherd would lead and care for “one flock” (v. 16)—an idea much antagonistic to the modern, fragmented world of “Christendom.”

There is another prophetic declaration in connection with the slaying of the Shepherd: the “sheep shall be scattered” (7b). On the night before his death the Lord referenced this prophecy: “Then Jesus said unto them, ‘All of you shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad’” (Matthew 26:31).

Observe that the Savior acknowledged the authority and prophetic force of the Old Testament Scriptures, though many today, who profess to follow him, do not.

Conclusion
The concluding chapter of Zechariah is a source of great encouragement, when understood correctly. Punctuated with a variety of marvelous symbols, borrowed largely from Old Testament images, this section previews the glories of the gospel dispensation, from Pentecost until the Lord’s return.

Those who interpret these “word pictures” in a literal fashion, as premillennial writers do, perpetrate a great injustice upon the material. For a review of that theory in connection with this chapter, see our article, Dispensationalism and Zechariah 14.

Works Cited
Carson, D. A. 1984. Matthew. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Frank E. Gaebelein, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Findlay, A. F. 1909. Meekness. A Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels. Vol. 2. James Hastings, ed. Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.
Spicq, Ceslas. 1994. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. Vol. 3. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
Scripture References
Isaiah 44:26-45:6; Ezra 5:1, 6:14; Zechariah 1:1-6; Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 53:2; Micah 5:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:5; Luke 24:26; Zechariah 6:12-13; 1 Samuel 16:2; 1 Samuel 8:11; Deuteronomy 17:16; Joshua 11:6, 9; 2 Samuel 8:4; 1 Kings 4:26; 1 Chronicles 9:25; Numbers 12:3; Psalm 132:1; Philippians 2:5-8; John 8:29; Matthew 11:29; Zechariah 11; Matthew 26:15; Exodus 21:32; Philippians 2:7; Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18-19; Isaiah 11:1; Romans 3:24-26, 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 5:8-9; Acts 2:1; Acts 2:37; Matthew 5:4; John 19:37; Hebrews 6:6; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:30; Romans 14:11-12; Lamentations 3:22; Judges 20:16; Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; John 10:30; John 10:1; Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 14

Cite this article
Jackson, Wayne. "Messianic Previews in the Book of Zechariah." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: May 29, 2020".


©2020. All rights reserved. ISSN: 1559-2235.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_106IfO6Kc0

Bible Project

Overview: Zechariah

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Zechariah is specific about dating his writing (520–518 BC).


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Zechariah


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Dead Sea Scrolls Bible Translations


http://dssenglishbible.com/scroll4Q80.htm


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Commentary on Zechariah 11


https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-11.html

Commentary on Zechariah 12


https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-12.html


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edcqUu_BtN0

How to Read the Bible: The Prophets

Bible Project

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


New International Version (NIV)


Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


The Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament is a derivative of a public domain electronic edition.


Keil, Carl Friedrich & Delitzsch, Franz. "Commentary on Zechariah 7:8". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-3.html. 1854-1889.


Jackson, Wayne. "Messianic Previews in the Book of Zechariah." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: May 29, 2020".  ©2020. All rights reserved. ISSN: 1559-2235.  Publisher
Fortify Your Faith  P.O. Box 11746  Jackson, Tennessee 38308

17 USC § 107 Fair Use. No claim of monetary remuneration on same.


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END


"Hugh C. Wood", "Hugh Wood", King Darius, Peachtree Church, 
Zechariah 11, Zechariah 12, 4Q80, 4Q76, The Worthless Shepard, 30 Pieces of Silver, Look on the one that they pierced. 

Teaching Notes Book of Zechariah - Chapters 9 and 10

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Teaching Notes Book of 
Zechariah - Chapters 9 and 10


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Quarantine Day 78.   A/C today.   Very grateful for A/C repairmen.   TY    :) 






Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


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Zechariah 9

New International Version
Judgment on Israel’s Enemies

9 A prophecy:

The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrak
    and will come to rest on Damascus—
for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel
    are on the Lord—[a]
2 and on Hamath too, which borders on it,
    and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.
3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold;
    she has heaped up silver like dust,
    and gold like the dirt of the streets.
4 But the Lord will take away her possessions
    and destroy her power on the sea,
    and she will be consumed by fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it and fear;
    Gaza will writhe in agony,
    and Ekron too, for her hope will wither.
Gaza will lose her king
    and Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod,
    and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.
7 I will take the blood from their mouths,
    the forbidden food from between their teeth.
Those who are left will belong to our God
    and become a clan in Judah,
    and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.
8 But I will encamp at my temple
    to guard it against marauding forces.
Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,
    for now I am keeping watch.




The Coming of Zion’s King
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.





10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
    and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
    and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
    His rule will extend from sea to sea
    and from the River[b] to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.




12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
    even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow
    and fill it with Ephraim.
I will rouse your sons, Zion,
    against your sons, Greece,
    and make you like a warrior’s sword.

The Lord Will Appear
14 Then the Lord will appear over them;
    his arrow will flash like lightning.
The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet;
    he will march in the storms of the south,
15     and the Lord Almighty will shield them.
They will destroy
    and overcome with slingstones.
They will drink and roar as with wine;
    they will be full like a bowl
    used for sprinkling[c] the corners of the altar.
16 The Lord their God will save his people on that day
    as a shepherd saves his flock.
They will sparkle in his land
    like jewels in a crown.
17 How attractive and beautiful they will be!
    Grain will make the young men thrive,
    and new wine the young women.

Footnotes
Zechariah 9:1 Or Damascus. / For the eye of the Lord is on all people, / as well as on the tribes of Israel,
Zechariah 9:10 That is, the Euphrates
Zechariah 9:15 Or bowl, / like



Zechariah 10

New International Version

The Lord Will Care for Judah

10 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;
    it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.




He gives showers of rain to all people,
    and plants of the field to everyone.




2 The idols speak deceitfully,
    diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
    they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
    oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

3 “My anger burns against the shepherds,
    and I will punish the leaders;
for the Lord Almighty will care
    for his flock, the people of Judah,
    and make them like a proud horse in battle.
4 From Judah will come the cornerstone,
    from him the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
    from him every ruler.
5 Together they[a] will be like warriors in battle
    trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets.
They will fight because the Lord is with them,
    and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.

6 “I will strengthen Judah
    and save the tribes of Joseph.
I will restore them
    because I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
    I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God
    and I will answer them.
7 The Ephraimites will become like warriors,
    and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and be joyful;
    their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.
8 I will signal for them
    and gather them in.
Surely I will redeem them;
    they will be as numerous as before.
9 Though I scatter them among the peoples,
    yet in distant lands they will remember me.
They and their children will survive,
    and they will return.




10 I will bring them back from Egypt
    and gather them from Assyria.
I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon,
    and there will not be room enough for them.
11 They will pass through the sea of trouble;
    the surging sea will be subdued
    and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.
Assyria’s pride will be brought down
    and Egypt’s scepter will pass away.
12 I will strengthen them in the Lord
    and in his name they will live securely,”
declares the Lord.

Footnotes
Zechariah 10:5 Or ruler, all of them together. / 5 They


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Zechariah 4Q80 Dead Sea Scrolls  50BCE

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Manuscripts of the 12 Manuscripts


https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/bible-manuscripts-Septuagint-twelve-Greek-Minor-prophets-scroll-Nahal-Hever-Bar-Kochba-Cave-of-Horrors-letters-Dodekapropheton-Greek-8HevXIIgr-50BC.htm



The Greek Septuagint Twelve Minor Prophets scroll (2100 years old)



Introduction:

1.       The Greek minor prophets scroll was discovered in 1952 AD is one of the most important archeological finds ever.

a.         Dodekapropheton is the Greek name for the 12 prophets as a collection.

b.        It is a scroll of the entire 12 minor prophets even though much of the text is destroyed over time.

c.         It shows the Bible we hold today is the same as it was before the time of Christ.

d.        It proves the entire Old Testament was translated by Jews into Greek before the time of Christ.

2.       The Greek minor prophets scroll dates to about 50 BC:

a.         “Dating Conclusion: Both hands give the impression of belonging to the late Ptolemaic or early Roman period. Some features favour an earlier rather than a later date; no feature recommends a later rather than an earlier date.” (Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nahal Hever, Emanuel Tov, p25, 1990 AD)

b.        Late Ptolemaic is 100-30 BC and Early Roman begins at 30 BC.

c.         So Emanuel Tov, a Jewish Scholar living in Israel dates the Greek scroll to before the Birth of Christ and favours the “early date” ie. Before the Roman Era.

3.       There are two caves where scrolls were found: Cave 8 “Cave of Horrors” and Cave 5-6 “Cave of Letters”

4.       The Greek minor prophets scroll was discovered at cave 8 in the Nahal Hever which is located about 5 km south of En Gedi

a.         Nahal (river) Hever (Hebron = friend) means “river of the friend”. The town of Hebron is due west.

b.        During the Bar Kochba rebellion of 135 AD, also known as the “Second Jewish War with Rome”, the rebel Zealot had moved from Qumran, Gamla and Kh. El Maqatir to Masada and the two caves high in the hills of the Nahal Hever.

c.         Cave 8 is known as the “Cave of Horrors” (Ma'arat Ha'Eimim) because 40 skeletons were found here, the remains of those seeking refuge during the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Archaeologists found three ostraca, which had been placed on the skeletons, inscribed with the names of the deceased.

d.        The Romans killed the rebel Jews by smoke inhalation by setting fires at the entrance.

e.        In 1952 AD skeletons of Men, women and children were excavated and reburied in the inner cave area.

f.          The scroll of the 12 prophets represented a high value possession to these Jews in 135 AD, being 200 years old at the time.

g.         Fragments of Jewish prayers were found in Aramaic.

5.       In the “Cave of Letters” (cave 5-6) the following was found letters that date from 94-132 AD and included three collections:

a.         A leather waterskin containing 15 letters (in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek), most of which were sent by Shim'on Bar Kohkba (Shim'on b. Kosiba), the leader of the Bar Kohkba revolt.

b.        A wrapped package stored inside a leather purse, containing 35 personal financial records, belonging to a woman named Babatha.

c.         Five contracts belonging to Eleazar ben Shmuel, a farmer from Ein Gedi.

d.        Four languages were used on the manuscripts: Greek, Hebrew, Nabatean, Aramaic

e.        Of special note is that all the scripture manuscripts were in Aramaic also known as “Square Hebrew”. This is a different language and Mosaic Hebrew and modern Hebrew. Remember, in the first century Hebrew was almost extinct being used only by the Jerusalem temple elites.

f.          Three other special documents were found in the Cave of Letters (cave 5-6):

                                                               i.      Marriage Contract (5/6Hev37) A woman named Babata who was married and divorced/widowed twice had a marriage contract in her possession that was found in cave 5-6. It was written by husband which said, "If I [Babata's husband] die before you, you will live in my house and receive maintenance from it and from my possessions.". (5/6Hev37, Babata marriage contract, 135 AD)

                                                             ii.      Sale Contract (5/6Hev47)

                                                           iii.      Redemption of a Writ of Seizure (5/6Hev36)



I. The Greek 12 minor prophets scroll of the Septuagint

1.      The Greek scripture scroll (cave 8) is the longest scroll ever found in Israel at 32 feet long and are currently housed in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem.

a.       Two different men wrote the entire scroll. We know this by graphology of textual styles that point to two different “hands” through handwriting analysis.

b.      Printed on vellum (animal skin) with carbon ink.

c.       Many skins were joined to create a scroll 10 meters long and 35 cm high.

2.      The document is in Greek expect for Mosaic Hebrew (Paleo-Hebrew) where they wrote the name of God YHWH in the extinct Hebrew alphabet.

a.       Other documents found at the same time would use four stars **** as an early “nomina sacra” substitution.

b.      This substitution of Mosaic Hebrew for Greek in the name of God is probably the very beginning point of “nomina sacra”.

c.       Nomina sacra developed into the Christian era and became almost ridiculous because they would create substitutional abbreviations for other “sacred” things including: God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Saviour, Cross, Christ etc.

d.      While Christians eventually abandoned the practice of nomina sacra altogether, the Jews continue the practice by writing the word God in English as G-D where a dash is substituted for the letter O.

e.      Of course the ultimate substitution was provided by the Holy Spirit himself in the 27 books of the New Testament that consistently substitute KURIOS (Greek for “Lord”) for YHWH in all Old Testament quotations in the New Testament.

f.        Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their standard delusional ignorant bliss, will point to YHWH written in Mosaic Hebrew as proof that their New World Translation (NWT) is superior to all other Bibles because they “RESTORED” the name of God with Jehovah. Since a Jw is forbidden to read non-Watchtower religious materials on the internet, their knowledge is no greater than what the Watchtower tells them. To illustrate their unscholarly delusions, almost no JW even knows that the letter “J” does not exist in Greek, Hebrew. Worse still, not even English, which was derived directly from Hebrew, had a letter “J” before about 1650 AD. The 1611 AD KJV for example, does not have contain a single “J”. They spelled Jesus’ name as IESUS instead. So the NWT very modern substitution of JEHOVAH for the original autograph KURIOS in the Greek New Testament is beyond bizarre. There are no known Hebrew copies of Matthew, only rumours. And if these rumors were true, it was probably a translation from the original Greek Matthew into Hebrew. Of course 100% of Greek new testament manuscripts use KURIOS (LORD) and NEVER use YHWH. So it was the Holy Spirit “who willed” the substitution of Kurios for YHWH throughout the New Testament. Of course none of the truthful information ever phases a JW because they blindly follow the Watchtower Magazine when it contradicts the Bible. Jesus said, “leave them alone, they are blind guides”.

3.      The 12 minor prophets are all accounted for but extant fragments exist only for Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Zechariah. Here are the actual sections of text that have survived and can be read today. The rest is lost due to damage and decay over 2100 years.

a.       Jonah 1:14-2:7; 3:2-5; 3:7-4:2; 4:5.

b.      Mic 1:1-8; 2:7-8; 3:5-6; 4:3-5; 4:6-10; 5:1(2)-6(7).

c.       Nah 1:13-14; 2:5-10; 2:13-14; 3:3; 3:6-17.

d.      Hab 1:5-11; 1:14-2:8; 2:13-20; 3:8-15.

e.      Zeph 1:1-6; 1:13-18; 2:9-10; 3:6-7.

f.        Zech 1:1-4; 1:12-15; 2:2-4(1:19-21); 2:6-12(2-8); 2:16(12)-3:2; 3:4-7; 8:19-21; 8:23-9:5.

4.      The Greek scroll of the 12 minor prophets has clear signs of correction of the Greek text to fit it to the Hebrew text then current.

a.       It is almost identical to our modern text in our bibles today but small differences do exist.

b.      The does not necessarily mean the scroll was translated from an older text that was corrected with a different new text. Most of the differences can be explained by the original translators trying to convey the meaning from Hebrew into Greek. Just like our modern English Bibles differ widely in specific words used and word order, in the end they all say basically the identical thing.

c.       What is most interesting, is that the text sometimes agrees with the both the LXX and Masoretic, while in other cases differs from them both, while in other cases agrees with the LXX over the Masoretic and vice versa.


No claim to (c) owned by Steve Rudd: November 2017

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_106IfO6Kc0

Bible Project

Overview: Zechariah

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Zechariah is specific about dating his writing (520–518 BC).


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Zechariah


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Dead Sea Scrolls Bible Translations


http://dssenglishbible.com/scroll4Q80.htm


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Commentary on Zechariah 9


https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-9.html

Commentary on Zechariah 10


https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-10.html


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edcqUu_BtN0

How to Read the Bible: The Prophets

Bible Project

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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


New International Version (NIV)


Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


The Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament is a derivative of a public domain electronic edition.


Keil, Carl Friedrich & Delitzsch, Franz. "Commentary on Zechariah 7:8". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/zechariah-3.html. 1854-1889.


No claim to (c) owned by Steve Rudd: November 2017


17 USC § 107 Fair Use. No claim of monetary remuneration on same.


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END


"Hugh C. Wood", "Hugh Wood", King Darius, Peachtree Church, 
Zechariah 9, 
Zechariah 10, 4Q80, 4Q76, 
Zion’s King Riding on a Donkey, Lord Will Care for Judah,