The Branch
‘Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH’ (6:12). Zechariah picks up the Branch Christology of Jer 23 / 33 and Isa 4 / 11 — a king-priest crowned.
Old Testament · Book 38 of 66
Zechariah
Contemporary of Haggai — but longer, stranger, and more explicitly Messianic. Eight night visions, a royal-priestly crown, Zion's king riding on a donkey, and the pierced one they shall look upon.
14
Chapters
8
Night visions
Messianic density
Most among MPs
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
- Author
- Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo (1:1) — priest and prophet of the return
- Date
- Began 520 BC, contemporary with Haggai; later oracles (ch. 9–14) may date to the later 5th c. BC
- Audience
- The post-exilic community and all who look for Zion's king
- Position
- Old Testament · Book 38 of 66
Structure
- Eight night visions and the crown1–6
The horses among the myrtle trees; the measuring line; Joshua the high priest and the Branch; the lampstand and the two olive trees; the flying scroll; the ephah; the four chariots; the royal-priestly crown.
- Fasts and future7–8
Should the fasts continue? The ten promises of Zion's restoration.
- Two burdens9–14
‘Thy King cometh … riding upon an ass’ (9:9); the thirty pieces of silver (11); ‘they shall look upon me whom they have pierced’ (12:10); ‘one LORD, and his name one’ (14:9).
Section pages
Each section is one focused part of Zechariah — purpose, key movements, key verses, Christ-in-this-section. Roughly five minutes each.
Themes
They shall look on me whom they have pierced
(12:10) — cited in John 19:37 at the crucifixion; in Rev 1:7 at the return. Zechariah's Christology spans first and second coming.
Thy King cometh
(9:9) — cited at the triumphal entry (Matt 21:5). The king comes lowly, riding on a donkey.
If you only read a few chapters
- 3Joshua and the BranchThe high priest in filthy garments; the LORD rebukes Satan; the Branch servant named.
- 4The lampstand and olive trees‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.’
- 9Thy King comethRiding on an ass; dominion from sea to sea.
- 11Thirty pieces of silverThe shepherd betrayed for the price of a slave — fulfilled at the betrayal.
- 12Him whom they have piercedThe mourning of the house of David.
- 14The day of the LORDThe Mount of Olives split; ‘the LORD shall be king over all the earth.’