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274 Structure and the Book ofZechariah
recent years the cogency of the arguments in favour of the unity of the
book has been acknowledged by W.F. Albright1 (and conservative
scholars [E.J. Young, N.H. Ridderbos, R.K. Harrison]).
Again, as P.R. Ackroyd comments, 'The very fact that this linking of
9-14 with 1-8 took place argues for some recognition of common
ideas or interests'. 2
It seems to me that it is important to affirm the affinities between
Zechariah 1-8 and 9-14, and that Mason has shown beyond reasonable
doubt that there is a strong continuity of thought. Still, the
evidence adduced here does not point to unity of authorship, nor even
editorial unity.
In his more recent commentary, 3 K.L. Barker summarizes arguments
against unity of authorship as based on: (1) differences in style
and other compositional features, and (2) historical and chronological
references that allegedly require a later date. He quotes with approval
(even relish) G.L. Robinson's comment that there is 'no mode of
reasoning so treacherous as that from language and style'. 4 In order to
demonstrate that one could draw a list to counteract Mitchell's list of
differences in vocabulary 5 he offers a 'partial but suggestive list of
expression common to both parts of the book': 6
1. 'No one should come or go', 7.14, and 'against marauding
forces' (his italics), 9.8. (This seems to suggest a difference
in usage.)
2. 'Declares the Lord', fourteen times in 1-8 and also in 10.12;
12.1, 4; 13.2, 7-8. (This surely cannot be taken seriously.)
3. 'The LORD Almighty' 1.6, 12; 2.13; 9.15; 10.3; 12.5. (It is
interesting that at least two of the three references in
Zechariah 1-8 are in sections that I have thought to be
redactional.)
1. Review of Introduction to the Old Testament, by R.H. Pfeiffer, JBL 61,
(1942), p. 121. He actually says: 'Whether any or all of these oracles [of Zech. 9-
14] are to be attributed to Zechariah we cannot say; the reviewer sees no reason why
most of them cannot be credited to Zechariah himself.
2. PCB, p. 651.
3. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, pp. 596-97.
4. ISBE, V, p. 3139. This reference is from the original edition.
5. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Jonah, p. 236.
6. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Jonah, pp. 596-97.