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3. The Structure of Individual Sections of Zechariah 233
a. K:r shows a progression from disaster (v. 2b), via Yahweh's
going forth (v. 3), to blessing (v. 8).
b. 013 is given heavy emphasis, occurring three times in v. 5
expressing panic and displacement.
c. utf' occurs three times in vv. 10-11, expressing Jerusalem's
security, and contrasting with the 'flee' of v. 5.
5. There is a contrast between nonbn 1 ? D^tfTV and ncab o'ptfw
(vv. 2, 11).
6. The section concerning the plague, vv. 12-15, which seems to be
unnecessary after the prophecy of blessing in v. 11, actually matches
(mostly contrasting with) vv. 1-3:
vv. 1-3 vv. 12-14
nations (attack) nations (punished)
'your' spoil divided cf. wealth of nations
gather (all nations) (wealth of nations) gathered
for battle (nnn'To) Judah fights (on 1 ?). ..
all peoples to Jerusalem all nations against Jerusalem
The variation in the use of these repeating words is striking.
7. The use of 'king' is interesting: Yahweh as king occurs in the
central section, and may possibly be deliberately framed by two other
references. In Isa. 6.1-5 I believe we have a contrast intended between
King Uzziah who died that year, and Yahweh the king, who was
sitting on the throne. Perhaps the reference to King Uzziah here
would recall Isaiah's vision, as well as the preaching of Amos (1.1).
We recall here that the word 'king' has been used only in 9.5, 9 and
11.6 in Zechariah 9-14. I do not know what significance may be
attached to 'wine presses of the king' and it is wise not to speculate.
8. The phrase(s) ~n« iTiV vb forms an inclusio for vv. 6a-7. This
causes some confusion about where the centre of the chapter really is.
A plausible solution seems to be to understand 'light' as a means of
emphasizing 'one day' by framing it.
It seems impossible to arrange this in a precisely structured whole,
but the overall movement and emphasis is clearly seen. This is true
despite the fact that the text appears to be corrupt in several places,
and there are therefore some uncertainties in this presentation. The
centre is vv. 6-9, bound together by the idea of 'one', and by the
concentration of introductory formulae, '(And it will be) on that day',
vv. 6a, 8a, 9b. The words 'half and 'go forth' become positive.