Book of Zechariah

Zechariah, Book of, Old Testament book named for 1 of the 12 minor prophets. Zechariah (or Zacharias), an associate of the prophet Haggai, prophesied from 520 B.C.–518 B.C., and, after the Jews returned to Palestine from exile, advocated rebuilding the Temple. The Book of Zechariah has 14 chapters. The first 8, attributed to Zechariah himself, record a series of visions showing hope for a new order in Jerusalem and the plans for its establishment and organization. The last 6 chapters, attributed to a later author or group of authors, elaborate on Zechariah's themes of the restoration of the Davidic royal line, the intervention of a messiah, and Jerusalem's exiles returned and forgiven.

See also: Bible; Old Testament.