Study notes

Zechariah 12

Introducing ZechariahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

9:1–14:21 Section

These chapters include messages of judgement and messages of hope. In many ways they are like messages recorded in other books of prophecy.

The judgement was against the nations that were around the land of Judah. God promised to destroy the nations that attacked his people. This included the nations that treated the family line of Jacob badly. It also included all people groups that were proud and that didn’t respect God. God promised to destroy them on the day of the Lord. This was described using apocalyptic writing.

The judgement was also against many of the leaders of God’s people. These leaders didn’t follow God’s example for rulers. God compared them to a foolish shepherd. God’s judgement against them would be terrible.

The messages of hope were about the time when God will rule completely as King. Some people will be left alive after the time of judgement. They are the ones who recognise that God is the only true God. They will worship only God and obey him. This includes people from Jacob’s family line. It also includes people from all nations. They will all be considered God’s people. God will be the shepherd who takes care of his people. God will stop all wars and there will be peace everywhere on earth.

Water that gives life will flow from Jerusalem. This was also called the water of life or living water. Ezekiel also talked about water flowing out from Jerusalem (Ezekiel 47:1–12). The city of Jerusalem in these messages was like the new Jerusalem described in Revelation chapter 21.

Many years later these messages of hope helped Jesus’ followers. The messages helped them understand Jesus’ life and work. New Testament writers understood many of these messages as prophecies about Jesus. This was the case for the king riding on a donkey. It was the case for the faithful shepherd that God’s people killed. It was the case for the one they pierced and mourned over. It was the case for the fountain that washed away their sins.

12:1–14:21

The theme of Jerusalem versus the nations connects the four messages in Zechariah's second oracle. The nations gather against Jerusalem at both the start (Zechariah 12:1–9) and the end (14:1–15) of the oracle. The repeated phrase on that day points to the future day of the Lord.

This oracle shows both judgment and blessing for Jerusalem. The main focus is the cleansing of the people of Israel (Zechariah 13:1), ending with God's universal kingdom (14:16–21). These future visions encouraged the Judeans of Zechariah's time to stay faithful despite feeling unimportant and helpless.

12:2

cup of drunkeness: The cup of alcoholic drink is a metaphor for God’s judgment (Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15; Habakkuk 2:16; Matthew 26:39, 42; Revelation 14:10; 16:1). Jerusalem would play a key role in God’s judgment on nearby nations.

12:3

Jerusalem will be like a heavy stone that no one can move. Anyone who tries to conquer or control the city will be injured by it. This is because the Lord founded Jerusalem and loves it more than any other city in Israel (Psalm 87:1–2).

In the book of Zechariah, stone imagery is often connected to the temple. These stones point to God’s work of building, restoring, and protecting his holy place (Zechariah 3:9; 4:7; 10:4).

12:4

Madness, blindness, and panic were some of the curses threatened against Israel for breaking the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:28). On the day of the Lord, these curses will instead affect Israel’s enemies (see 2 Kings 7:6–7).
keep a watchful eye (literally open my eyes): God's open eyes symbolize divine help for those in great need (see Genesis 16:13–14; 21:19–21).

12:5

LORD of Hosts: This title emphasizes God's unstoppable power (see study note on Zechariah 1:3). The repeated use of this title in Zechariah’s second oracle (Zechariah 12–14) assured his audience that God would definitely fulfill the promises about Judah’s victory (12:7).

12:6

firepot: People used bronze or gold firepans to carry hot coals to and from the sacrificial altars of the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 27:3; 1 Kings 7:50). God would place Israel among the nations like a burning firepan to destroy or purify them.

12:8

Here, the angel of the LORD is identified with God himself. He is shown as a divine warrior who rescues and protects his people (see Zechariah 1:11; 3:1; Exodus 14:19; 15:3; Isaiah 59:15–20; 63:1–6). God will give power to the weak.

12:10

pour out: This term describes God pouring out the spirit of prophecy on Israel and all people on the day of the Lord (compare Ezekiel 39:28–29; Joel 2:28–29) and God's judgment on the wicked (Lamentations 2:4; Hosea 5:10; Zephaniah 3:8).
spirit of grace: God's undeserved and unsolicited favor encourages people to seek Him through humble and repentant prayer (see Psalm 86:15–16).
the One they have pierced: The New Testament views the piercing of God as a reference to the piercing of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth (John 19:34–37; Revelation 1:7).

12:11

The name Hadad-rimmon combines the names of two Syrian gods: the storm god Hadad and the thunder god Rimmon. People mourned greatly for these gods, similar to the weeping for Tammuz, a ceremony in Mesopotamian fertility cults.
Joshua captured Megiddo (Joshua 12:21), a major city on the southwest edge of the Jezreel Valley. It was given to the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17:11).
Megiddo controlled a key pass on the main highway from Egypt to Mesopotamia, making it very important strategically. It was a district capital during King Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 4:12).
King Josiah was fatally wounded in a battle against Pharaoh Neco and the Egyptians on the plain of Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:22–23). The mountain of Megiddo is the site of the great battle described in Revelation 16:16.

12:12–14

the clan of the house of David … Nathan … Levi … Shimei: Zechariah might be referring to the royal families (David and his son Nathan; see 1 Chronicles 14:4) and the priestly families (Levi and his grandson Shimei; see Numbers 3:16–18; 1 Chronicles 6:16–17). Alternatively, the four families might represent the four main leadership roles in Old Testament times:
- the king (David, 1 Samuel 16:1–13),
- the prophet (Nathan, 2 Samuel 7:2),
- the priest (Levi, Deuteronomy 33:8–11), and
- the tribal leader (Shimei, 1 Kings 1:8; 4:18).
The first interpretation aligns with Zechariah’s focus on the Branch that will be both king and priest (see Zechariah 6:12–13).
all the remaining clans: This separation shows the depth and completeness of Israel’s mourning.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources