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3. The Structure of Individual Sections of Zechariah 129
We may set out the situation as follows (capitals signify the second
time a similar word or idea occurs):
1 And I returned 1
and I lifted up my eyes
and I saw
and behold
a fly ing scroll
2 And he said to me
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
AND I SAID
I SEE A FLYING SCROLL
its length 20 cubits and
ITS BREADTH 10 CUBITS
3 AND HE SAID TO ME
This is the curse that goes forth
over the face of all the earth/land (cf. 5:(5-)6)
for every stealerfrom this like it will be purged
AND EVERY SWEARER FROM THIS LIKE IT WILL BE PURGED
IT WILL GO FORTH
(oracle of Yahweh of hosts)
and will come to the house of the stealer
and TO THE HOUSE OF THE SWEARER IN MY NAME FALSELY
AND WILL LODGE IN THE MIDST OF HIS HOUSE
and will (completely) destroy it
its timbers
AND ITS STONES
It can be seen from this, as from the table, that there are virtually no
verbal connections between parts of this section that are more than a
verse apart. The unit builds up by a simple formula of repetition plus
new element. This pattern in itself links it with the second vision,
Zech. 2.1-4 (see above). However, we noted there also a more
obviously regular overall pattern.
We have discovered evidence of a concern for structure in all the
visions and their attached oracles that we have so far examined. As
well as noting similarities in method, we have discovered variations.
Unfortunately we have no reliable instrument for helping us to decide
how great a variation in method may be expected from a single writer
1. Or 'again'; cf. Zech 4.1.