Structure in Zechariah 2

Structure in Zechariah 2 April 6, 2010

Zechariah 2 seems to divide between verse 5 and 6, as we move from a promise of Yahweh’s dwelling in Jerusalem to an exhortation to “flee from the land of the north.”  While I have not been able to discern an overall structure in the passage, there are signs that it’s there.

The passage is enclosed by references to the Lord’s choice and inheritance of Jerusalem.  In the opening verses (vv. 1-2), Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line in his hand going to measure Jerusalem, while in verse 12 Yahweh takes possession of Judah and chooses Jerusalem “again.”  There is also, perhaps, an inclusio between verses 3-4 and verse 11: Verses 3-4 describe a city overflowing with men and animals, and verse 11 infors us that many who come to inhabit Zion will be Gentiles.

Within that inclusio, there are several short chiasms.

Verses 6-7 are arranged as follows:

A. Hoy! Flee from land of north

B. Declares Yah

C. Disperse as four winds

B’. Declares Yah

A’. Hoy! Escape the ones who dwell with daughter Babylon

Verses 8-9 seem to be an incomplete chiasm:

A. After glory

B. He Sent me

C. against nations that plunder you

D. Whoever touches you touches apple of eye

D’. Wave hand over them

C’. Become plunder for slaves

B’. Know that Yahweh has sent me

Verses 10-11 are a complete chiasm, and perhaps finish off the chiasm started in verses 8-9:

A. Sing, daughter Zion

B. Lord coming to be in midst: Oracle of Yahweh

C. Nations will join themselves to Yahweh: become His people

B’. I will dwell in your midst

A’. They will know that Yahweh had sent me to you


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