Zechariah 1:1

KJV

¶ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

In the eighth {H8066} month {H2320}, in the second {H8147} year {H8141} of Darius {H1867}, came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} unto Zechariah {H2148}, the son {H1121} of Berechiah {H1296}, the son {H1121} of Iddo {H5714} the prophet {H5030}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

In the eighth month of the second year of Daryavesh, the following message from ADONAI came to Z'kharyah the son of Berekhyah, the son of 'Iddo, the prophet:

Berean Standard Bible

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying:

American Standard Version

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 1:1 serves as the foundational opening to the prophetic book, meticulously anchoring its divine message in a precise historical moment. This verse identifies the prophet, Zechariah, through his lineage, and definitively states the origin of the subsequent prophecies as "the word of the LORD," establishing the divine authority and specific timing of God's communication to His post-exilic people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 1:1 immediately establishes the setting for the entire book, which follows the pattern of prophetic literature by first identifying the divine source and human recipient of the message. It functions as a historical marker, placing the visions and oracles that follow within a specific timeframe of the post-exilic period. The book of Zechariah, alongside Haggai, directly addresses the community that had returned from Babylonian exile, focusing on the rebuilding of the Temple and the spiritual restoration of Israel. This opening verse sets the stage for a series of eight night visions, followed by messages concerning fasting and future restoration, all designed to encourage and challenge the disheartened returnees to complete God's work and renew their covenant relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific dating, "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius," refers to Darius I Hystaspes, King of Persia, placing this prophecy in November/December of 520 BC. This was a critical juncture, approximately 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel and Joshua, as foretold by prophets like [Jeremiah concerning the seventy-year captivity](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of the Seventy-Year Exile"). The initial enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple had waned due to opposition, economic hardship, and spiritual apathy. The people were discouraged, and the Temple lay unfinished. Zechariah, along with his contemporary, [Haggai, who began his ministry in the very same year](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai 1:1 - Haggai's Prophecy Begins"), was raised up by God to rekindle their zeal, confront their spiritual lethargy, and assure them of God's presence and future blessings if they would obey.
* **Key Themes:** This inaugural verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the book of Zechariah. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Revelation and Authority**, asserting that the messages are not human constructs but direct "word of the LORD," thereby demanding serious attention and obedience from the audience. Secondly, the **Prophet's Identity and Lineage** are highlighted, connecting Zechariah to an established prophetic tradition through his grandfather, Iddo, who is explicitly called "the prophet." This lineage not only authenticates Zechariah's ministry but also suggests a continuity of God's speaking to His people, even after the exile, as seen in [Nehemiah's record of those who returned with Zerubbabel](/nehemiah/12-4 "Nehemiah 12:4 - Priests and Levites Returning from Exile"). Thirdly, the precise **Timing of God's Word** is underscored. God speaks into specific historical circumstances, addressing the exact needs and challenges of His people, demonstrating His active involvement and sovereignty over human affairs, even in times of national discouragement and rebuilding. This specificity grounds the prophecies in reality, making them immediately relevant to the post-exilic community's struggles and hopes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dâbâr (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This word, translated as "word," is central to understanding the verse's authority. It signifies not merely spoken sounds, but a complete message, an utterance, an affair, or even a deed. In the context of "the word of the LORD," it denotes a divine communication that carries inherent power, authority, and purpose, transcending human opinion or counsel. It is God's active engagement with His people, revealing His will and intentions.
* **Yᵉhôvâh (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenant name of God, often rendered as "LORD" in English translations (using small capitals). It signifies the self-existent, eternal God who is faithful to His covenant promises. The phrase "word of the LORD" thus emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, ensuring its absolute reliability and ultimate fulfillment.
* **Zᵉkaryâh (Hebrew, _Zᵉkaryâh'_):** The prophet's name, meaning "Jah has remembered" or "The LORD remembers," is profoundly significant. It serves as a theological statement, reminding the post-exilic community, who might have felt forgotten by God in their struggles, that the LORD indeed remembers His covenant, His promises, and His people. This name, coupled with his father Berechiah ("The LORD blesses") and grandfather Iddo ("timely" or "His appointed time"), forms a powerful prophetic statement in itself: "The LORD remembers, The LORD blesses, at His appointed time."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius":** This precise chronological marker immediately grounds the prophecy in a specific historical context. The "eighth month" (Cheshvan) corresponds to November/December, and "the second year of Darius" refers to Darius I Hystaspes, placing the beginning of Zechariah's ministry in 520 BC. This dating is crucial for understanding the socio-economic and spiritual conditions of the post-exilic community, particularly their ongoing struggles with rebuilding the Temple.
* **"came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah":** This declarative statement establishes the divine origin and authority of the ensuing prophecies. It is not Zechariah's own ideas or political commentary, but a direct, unsolicited revelation from God Himself. The phrase "the word of the LORD" is a common prophetic formula, signaling that what follows is a divine oracle, carrying the weight and truth of the Almighty.
* **"the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,":** This lineage identifies Zechariah and connects him to a recognized prophetic heritage. His grandfather, Iddo, is explicitly called "the prophet," suggesting that Zechariah came from a family with a history of divine communication. This not only authenticates Zechariah's calling but also subtly reinforces the message through the theological significance of the names: "The LORD remembers" (Zechariah), "The LORD blesses" (Berechiah), "at His appointed time" (Iddo), culminating in the divine utterance ("saying").

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 1:1 employs several literary devices to establish its authority and context. **Chronological Precision** is evident in the exact dating ("In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius"), which lends historical credibility and grounds the spiritual message in tangible reality. This precision contrasts with the often timeless nature of divine revelation, emphasizing God's engagement within human history. The use of **Genealogical Listing** ("the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet") serves to authenticate Zechariah's prophetic office by linking him to an established lineage, particularly one that includes a recognized "prophet" (Iddo). This provides a sense of continuity and legitimacy. Finally, the phrase "came the word of the LORD" is a classic example of a **Divine Oracle Formula**, a conventional opening in prophetic books that immediately signals the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message to follow, distinguishing it from mere human pronouncements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 1:1 underscores the profound theological truth of God's active and timely engagement with His people, even in their most challenging circumstances. It highlights God's initiative in speaking to humanity, demonstrating that His covenant faithfulness endures despite human failure and discouragement. The specific dating emphasizes that God's word is not abstract but is delivered into particular historical moments, addressing the real needs and spiritual apathy of His people. This divine communication serves to call them back to obedience, assure them of His presence, and rekindle hope for future restoration and blessing, reminding them that the "LORD remembers" His promises.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of the Seventy-Year Exile")
* [Haggai 1:1](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai 1:1 - Haggai's Prophecy Begins")
* [Nehemiah 12:4](/nehemiah/12-4 "Nehemiah 12:4 - Priests and Levites Who Returned")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 1:1 offers a powerful reminder that God is deeply invested in human history and the lives of His people. Even when we face periods of discouragement, slow progress, or feel overwhelmed by the task before us, this verse assures us that God's word is timely, purposeful, and authoritative. Just as God spoke to a disheartened post-exilic community to encourage the rebuilding of His Temple, He continues to speak into our contemporary challenges, whether personal or communal. This calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening for the "word of the LORD" in our own lives, through Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It challenges us to trust that God remembers His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak, and that He will bless those who respond to His call to action, much like the call to [the people of Zechariah's day to "Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts"](/zechariah/1-3 "Zechariah 1:3 - Call to Repentance"). Our obedience, however small, becomes part of God's larger redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise dating of this prophecy encourage us about God's involvement in our specific historical moments?**
* **In what ways do you actively listen for "the word of the LORD" in your own life today?**
* **How does the meaning of Zechariah's name ("The LORD remembers") offer comfort or challenge to you in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Who was Darius and why is his reign significant for this prophecy?**

Answer: Darius refers to Darius I Hystaspes, King of Persia (522-486 BC). His reign is significant because it marks the specific historical context for the post-exilic Jewish community. The Jews had returned from Babylonian captivity, but the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem had stalled due to opposition and apathy. The dating of Zechariah's prophecy to "the second year of Darius" (520 BC) places it precisely when the Temple rebuilding project needed divine encouragement and renewed commitment, making God's word to Zechariah incredibly timely and relevant to the immediate challenges faced by the people. This period is also notable for the ministries of both Zechariah and his contemporary, [Haggai, who also began prophesying in Darius's second year](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai 1:1 - Haggai's Prophecy Begins").

**What is the significance of the phrase "the word of the LORD"?**

Answer: The phrase "the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: _dâbâr YHWH_) is a foundational prophetic formula used throughout the Old Testament. It signifies that the message originates directly from God Himself, not from human wisdom or opinion. This establishes the absolute authority, truthfulness, and divine inspiration of the prophecy. For the original audience, it meant that Zechariah's pronouncements were not to be taken lightly, as they were the very utterances of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. For us today, it underscores the divine origin and trustworthiness of the biblical text, reminding us that we are encountering God's own communication to humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 1:1 primarily grounds the prophet's message in its historical context, it inherently points towards Christ in its emphasis on "the word of the LORD." In the New Testament, we understand that the ultimate "word of the LORD" is not merely spoken but incarnate in Jesus Christ. [John 1:1-3 declares that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through him"](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"), identifying Jesus as the eternal Logos, through whom God speaks His final and most complete revelation. Just as Zechariah was God's chosen prophet to deliver His timely word to a discouraged people, Jesus is the [Prophet par excellence](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses") who perfectly embodies and delivers God's message of salvation. Furthermore, Zechariah's name, "The LORD remembers," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom God remembers His covenant promises to Israel and all humanity, culminating in the new covenant established through [Jesus' sacrificial blood](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood"). Thus, this foundational verse, by highlighting God's active communication and remembrance, foreshadows the coming of the Word made flesh, Jesus, who is God's ultimate and perfect message of hope and restoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 12:4

Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

Luke 11:51

From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Ezra 4:24

Then ceased the work of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 5:1

¶ Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that [were] in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, [even] unto them.

Zechariah 1:7

¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which [is] the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

Matthew 23:35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Zechariah 7:1

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [that] the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu;