Zechariah

JPS TaNaKH 1917

Zechariah has 14 chapters. Read Zechariah in the JPS TaNaKH 1917, chapter by chapter, free and without an account.

Zechariah calls the people to return to the Lord and presents visions of Jerusalem’s restoration, renewed priestly service, and the rebuilding of the temple. It joins that hope to justice, mercy, and truthful living. Later oracles portray a humble king, troubled shepherds, mourning and cleansing, and the Lord’s kingship over all the earth.

Read the Zechariah summary and outline →

In Christian Bibles, Zechariah is one of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. In the Jewish Tanakh it belongs to the Nevi’im, the Prophets, as part of the Twelve. See it on the shelf.

Zechariah sees a red-horse rider with red, brown, and white horses in myrtle trees as four craftsmen confront four horns near rebuilding Jerusalem
Zechariah 1

Zechariah 1: colored horsemen announce mercy for Jerusalem, and four craftsmen confront the four horns that scattered Judah.

A surveyor holds a measuring cord above an overflowing Jerusalem encircled by protective fire as returning families and livestock approach
Zechariah 2

Zechariah 2: restored Jerusalem overflows beyond walls, protected by divine fire as exiles and nations gather to the Lord.

Attendants replace Joshua's stained priestly robes as an accuser watches beside a smooth stone bearing seven inset jewels and a green shoot
Zechariah 3

Zechariah 3: Joshua is cleansed and recommissioned as the Branch and seven-eyed stone promise the removal of guilt.

A golden lampstand with seven flames and a bowl stands between two olive trees above Zerubbabel and workers rebuilding the temple
Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4: a seven-lamped gold lampstand and two olive trees promise Zerubbabel will finish the temple by the Spirit.

A huge blank scroll flies above the land while two stork-winged women carry a sealed grain basket toward distant Shinar
Zechariah 5

Zechariah 5: a flying scroll judges theft and false oaths, while wickedness is sealed in a basket and removed to Shinar.

Four chariots drawn by red, black, white, and dappled horses emerge between bronze mountains as Joshua receives a crown below
Zechariah 6

Zechariah 6: four colored chariots patrol the earth, and Joshua's crown points toward the priestly Branch who builds the temple.

Zechariah speaks with fasting delegates near the rebuilt temple as a man helps a poor mother and child while stubborn leaders turn away
Zechariah 7

Zechariah 7: a question about fasting reveals self-focused religion and the neglected commands of justice, mercy, and compassion.

Children play beside vineyards and elderly residents sit safely while people from many nations follow a worshiper toward Jerusalem's restored temple
Zechariah 8

Zechariah 8: restored Jerusalem becomes faithful and secure, filled with elders, children, fruitful harvests, and seeking nations.

A humble king rides a single donkey toward Jerusalem as broken chariots lie aside and prisoners climb from a dry stone pit
Zechariah 9

Zechariah 9: a humble king rides a donkey to Jerusalem, proclaims peace, frees covenant prisoners, and protects his people.

Families and flocks return through abundant rain as false idols are discarded and strong shepherd-like leaders welcome the scattered home
Zechariah 10

Zechariah 10: false guides give way to rain, strong leadership, and the compassionate gathering of scattered families and flocks.

A prophetic shepherd breaks one wooden staff while another remains beside an exploited flock and thirty silver coins are weighed near watching leaders
Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11: the rejected shepherd receives thirty silver pieces, breaks Favor and Union, and exposes destructive leadership.

Separate families mourn around a pierced garment hanging from a staff as armies surround Jerusalem beneath breaking light
Zechariah 12

Zechariah 12: Jerusalem is defended from surrounding nations, and grace leads every family into profound mourning for the pierced one.

Families wash and discard household idols in a flowing fountain while sheep scatter near a fallen staff and a remnant emerges through refining fire
Zechariah 13

Zechariah 13: a cleansing fountain removes impurity and idols as the struck shepherd's scattered flock is refined into a faithful remnant.

Crowds gather before restored Jerusalem as the Mount of Olives splits into a valley and living waters flow east and west beneath enduring light
Zechariah 14

Zechariah 14: the mountain splits for escape, living waters flow from Jerusalem, and all nations worship the universal King.