A Brief Guide to Symbols and Imagery in Zechariah
As the Old Testament stream of my Bible-in-a-year plan reaches its end, I've been enjoying reading Zechariah. I’ve always found the book tricky, so I’ve written these notes on the symbols and imagery to help me understand the big picture. Hopefully, you’ll find this helpful, too.
Notes on symbols and imagery in Revelation are coming soon!
Zechariah 1
🌴 The Man Among the Myrtle Trees (1:8-17): The man among the myrtle trees represents the Angel of the LORD (distinct from the angel talking to Zechariah), signifying God’s presence, concern for his people, and his active role in their restoration.
🎉 The Four Horns (1:18-21): The four horns symbolise the nations that scattered Judah.
🧶 The Four Craftsmen (1:18-21): The craftsmen represent forces raised by God to overthrow the four horns (perhaps Cyrus, the Persian king who defeated Babylon and allowed the Israelites to return to their land and rebuild the temple.
Zechariah 2
📏 The Measuring Line (2:1-13): The measuring line symbolises God's plan to restore, expand, and protect Jerusalem, emphasising its future glory and his presence among his people.
Zechariah 3
🎩 Joshua’s Clothes (3:1-10): Joshua’s filthy clothes point to Israel's sin and guilt, while the clean garments he receives represent God's forgiveness, purification, and restoration of his people.
Zechariah 4
🔆 The Lampstand and Seven Lamps (4:1-14): The lampstand likely symbolises the presence of the LORD among his people, and the seven lamps represent divine eyes that go throughout the earth, signifying God's pervasive watchfulness
🌳🌳Two Olive Trees (4:1-14): These symbolise two anointed leaders, probably Joshua, the high priest (representing the spiritual leadership of Israel) and Zerubbabel, the governor (representing civil and political leadership of Israel).
👁️ The Seven Eyes (4:10): The seven eyes symbolise God’s all-seeing nature, overseeing the world's affairs, particularly his people's work in rebuilding the temple.
Zechariah 5
📜 The Flying Scroll (5:1-4): The flying scroll symbolises God’s judgment on sin, bringing a curse on those who swear falsely.
🧺 The Woman in a Basket (5:5-11): The vision of the woman in a basket depicts the removal of wickedness from Judah, with sin being carried away to Babylon, representing God's judgement and purification of his people.
Zechariah 6
🚛 The Four Chariots (6:1-8): The vision of the four chariots represents God's control over the nations, with the chariots symbolising the four spirits or winds sent to execute divine judgment and establish peace through God's will.
👑 Joshua’s Crown (6:9-11): Joshua’s crown symbolises the uniting of the priestly and kingly roles in the coming Messiah.
🎋The Branch (6:12-15): This is a title for the coming ruler who will grow and rebuild God’s temple, fulfilling God’s promise of restoration.
Zechariah 7
🖤 Heart of Flint (7:12): The heart of flint symbolises the stubbornness and spiritual hardness, describing Israel's refusal to heed God's law and the messages of the prophets, showcasing their unyielding resistance to God’s will.
💨 Whirlwind (7:14): The whirlwind represents God’s judgement and scattering of his people among the nations. It conveys the swift and destructive consequences of disobedience, leading to exile and desolation.
Zechariah 8
🍇 Vine (8:12): God promises that the vine will yield fruit, reflecting the restoration of his favour to his people and the blessing and prosperity to come.
Zechariah 9
🫏 King on a Donkey (9:9-10): A prophecy of the coming King’s humble yet victorious arrival, bringing peace to the nations.
Zechariah 10-11
🐑 Sheep and Shepherd (10-11): The LORD is depicted as the Good Shepherd who gathers and strengthens his scattered flock, contrasted with false shepherds who lead them astray. However, Israel rejects his leadership, symbolised by the betrayal price of thirty pieces of silver, resulting in judgment and their subjection to unworthy leaders.
🪙 Thirty Pieces of Silver (11:12-14): The payment of thirty pieces of silver symbolises the rejection of the LORD and his appointed shepherd (Zechariah).
Zechariah 12
🥤The Cup (12:2-3): Here, the cup symbolises God's judgment and wrath, which causes the nations that come against Jerusalem to stagger and face defeat.
🔥 Firepot and Torch (12:6-9): The imagery of a “firepot in a woodpile” and “a flaming torch among sheaves” illustrates the irresistible and destructive power of God’s judgement against the nations that oppose Jerusalem.
✝️ The Pierced One (12:10–14): The LORD is pierced, and the people mourn intensely.
Zechariah 13
⛲️The Fountain (13:1): The fountain represents the LORD’s provision of cleansing and forgiveness for sin and impurity.
🐑 Sheep and Shepherd (13:7-8): The shepherd's striking and the sheep's scattering symbolise divine judgment on his appointed leader, leading to the dispersion and eventual refinement of the people.
Zechariah 14
💦 Living Waters Flowing from Jerusalem (14:8): The fountain symbolises God’s life-giving presence and his blessings extending beyond Jerusalem to the rest of the world.
👑 The LORD as King (14:9): The LORD is depicted as the king over the whole earth, uniting all nations in worship.
