Prophet Zakaria. Life of the Prophet Zechariah. Prophet Zechariah in temples

Zecharia (Zakharyakh, IVR. "The Lord remembered") - one of the twelve small prophets. Born during the Babylonian captivity, he survived him and on returning from captivity a lot contributed to the moral revival of the people.

The Prophet belongs to the special Old Testament book, bearing his name (the book of the Prophet Zechariah) and holding the penultimate place among the prophetic books. The time of writing it is accurately designated at the very beginning of the book: "In the 8th month of 2nd, Darius was the word of the Lord to Zechariah."

Christianity. Taking into account the fact that the Prophet was born during the Babylonian captivity (that is, up to 539 BC. Er), and the book was written in the Tsar Daria, it is obvious that we are talking about Daria I, and the book dates back to 520. n. e.

Judaism. According to the traditional Jewish summer, Darius Decree on the restoration of the second temple and the concomitant prophecy of Zechariah are dating 3408 from the creation of the world (352 years BC), and the restoration of the temple was completed in 3412 from the creation of the world (348 BC. Er ). Based on these dates, the most correct will be identified by Darius as Darius III.

Prophet's identity information

The name of the Prophet Zechariah was assigned different meanings; According to most of the newest researchers, the name ZECHARIAH means: "(one, about whom) remembers Jehovah" (Keif, F. V. Meyer, Bredeukamp, \u200b\u200bSmith Farrar, etc.).

About the time and place of the birth of Zechariah, for the absence of accurate instructions in the books of the Holy Scriptures, it is necessary to be content with only more or less likely assumptions. The most adopted opinion from the researchers is such: if during the high priesthood of Jesus, the grandfather of the Daddo was still a representative of his priesthood, hence, Zechariah, when the captives return to Jerusalem in the reign of Cyrus II of the Great, was a relatively young man; And from the fact that he, eighteen years later, in the second year, Darius Histspa (519 BC), calls himself Naar - Youth (2, 4, Art. 8 Masore. T.), this assumption becomes even more probable. From here this conclusion is done: the Prophet was born in Babylon shortly before the publication of the Decree of Kira and in childhood arrived in Jerusalem.

Like Jeremiah (Ier. 1: 1) and Ezekiel (Iz. 1: 3), the Prophet Zechariah also belonged to the priesthood. St. Cyril Alexandrian directly calls Zharicia "who originated from the priestly blood, that is, from the knee of Levina" (p. 2). Most of the latest interpretatives believe that in it. 12: 4-16 Under the dday and Zaharia, there are certain faces as the ride. 5: 1 and ride. 6:14 Hence the conclusion: the prophet Zechariah belonged to the priestly family - hence, he himself was a priest. In addition, Zechariah was the head of his priesthood, which title he inherited from his grandfather IDDO at the High Priest of Joachim, the Son of Jesus (Neven 12, 10, 12, 16).

His prophetic ministry Zechariah began to send a little later than Aggeya (in the second year of the reign of Darius Gistasp, only two months later), when Jesus was the high priest; With Jesus iddo, the grandfather of the Prophet was still the head of a kind (it was not. 12, 4, 7, 12, 16), therefore, Zechariah The prophetic ministry began earlier than the priesthood (that is, as the head of the genus). There is some reason to assume that the prophetic dignity was in kind of Zechariah as if hereditary. Vasily Great, in the interpretation of IP. 1: 1, notes; "For what is the prophet's name of the Father? To show that the prophetic tranquency he has a father heritage. " And Kirill Alexandria, reading in the zas. 1: 1.7: Instead -, directly calls the prophet iddo, which was, according to the generally accepted opinion, Sant Zakharia. According to Baumgartes and following him, Keler, the prophetic activity of Zechariah relates mainly by the first period of his life, and the priestly - to the later (CIT. S. 9); Although this is not denied, of course, the possibility of combining the duties of the other kind, which is visible on the example of Jeremiah.

The first recorded prophecy of Zechariah belongs to the second year Darius Histscape. But on the basis of the ride. 5, 1-2 one can assume that he spoke to the prophetic ministry of this time; Since migrants from Babylon, precisely as a result of the prophetic adventures of Aggey and Zechariah, began to resume the temple building. But this is a CN certificate. Ezra is actually confirmed only in relation to Aggey - the first cry of his book; Prophetic gains of Zechariah of the appropriate content remained, therefore, not recorded. The last of the prophecies of Zechariah, with a certain indication of the time, refers to the ninth month of the fourth year Darius (7, 1). The prophecies of chapters 9-14, thus, should be attributed to the later time; To accurately determine the entire period of the prophetic ministry of Zechariah, it is not possible for non-reliable data. It can only be argued that this ministry of Zechariah coincides with the time of the initial dispensation of the Jewish community, on returning from Babylon, and the time of recreating the temple, or, as Western scientists are expressed, are the restoration time. Comparatives with the prophetic activity of Aggey, the ministry of the Prophet Zechariah was longer, judging by the instructions of the books of the other prophet.

In the books of the Holy Scriptures, we do not find accurate and detailed information about the circumstances of the life and activities of the Prophet Zechariah. From the book of his name, as well as from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we can with enough clarity to determine only the personality of the prophet and the time of his life and activity. We can argue that Zechariah was a contemporary of the Prophet Aggeya, Zorovalevel and the High Priest of Jesus; Having survived the latter, he was with his son Joicim's son of his priest. The beginning of the prophetic activity of Zechariah according to the Scripture is determined quite accurately; About her late, as well as the time of death of the Prophet and the place of his burial, we do not have in the Scripture completely no instructions.

Book

The book written by Zharya consists of 14 chapters. This book is the most Messianic, the most apocalyptic and eschatological of all books of the Old Testament. It is because of the reinforced messianic predictions (in particular, in the third chapter there is a direct mention of the name of Jesus as the highest proud (Zech. 3) This book is widely cited by the authors of the New Testament. It is estimated that in the New Testament there are more than 40 links and hints on this prophet.

Prophet Zechariah and his book

Prophet Zechariah and his book

Before proceeding to the discussion of the personality of the Prophet Zechariah, his books and the meaning of prophecies, it will not be sure to bring the words of St. Gregory Theologian (Creative 44) regarding the interpretation of the Old Testament Prophecies:

"It is difficult for each shadow to express special kind of creating, explaining all the details of the legal entity for the very skinny, measures, substances, the Levites who worked it and served with it, and regarding victims, cleansings and offions. This is convenient formerly for those who are similar to Moses virtue and the most close to him by the scholarship. "

A modern bibliest, a kittel, adds: "No historical science will be able to quite satisfactorily explain the prophecy in Israel. There will always be the residue that we are not able to interpret historically and psychologically. "

Therefore, if any of their prophetic books is not explained through science, you need to rely on the legend.

The epoch, modern life and activities of the Prophet Zakhariki Serpovdz [prot. Dimitri christmas. Book of the Prophet Zechariah].

During the lifetime of the Prophet Zechariah, the change of leaders in the political arena of the world. About 558 to R.H., when Egypt and Assiro-Babylonia retained even the power and control over the countries subordinate to them, in Persia, dependent on the Midy Diet king, Kirbiz 1 came to power, the son of Cambiz 1, from the kind of achemenides. Already in 553, CIR began military operations, first unsuccessfully. Only in 550, due to the fact that treason occurred in the middiest troops, Kiru managed to defeat the Astiag Midiyan ruler.

At the same time, Babylon, Middine and Egypt united in a coalition against Kira and his troops, but they did not save them. In 546, Cresre Midyan is broken, in 539, Babylonia was conquered. Syria, Phenicia and Palestine surrendered without a fight.

In the conquered states of Kir led the following policy: to attract the population through attentive attitude towards customs and respect for religion. Thanks to the conquests of Kira, the Persian Empire moved in the world to the fore.

And 529 Cyrus died (according to legend, on the field of Brahi), he was inherited by his son Cambiz, who in 525 conquered Egypt. He died in 522 to R.Kh. At the same time, the Persian Empire was excited. As a result, the Trone's intrigue went to Giving 1 Histscape. The beginning of his rule was 521 and lasted about 485 to R.Kh. At the same time, the ruler prophesied to Holy Zechariah. This era is described in the Book of Ezra.
The following kings Persian: Xerxes 1 (485-465), Artaxerks 1 Longiman (465-424), Xerxes 2 (424 - two months his rule lasted), Sogdian (424-423 - seven months), Darius Notes (423-405 ), Artaxerxes 2 Mnemon (405-358), Artaxerks 3 Oh (358-338), Arzes (338-336), Darius 3 Codoman (336-330). In the last, the championship passed to the Greek-Macedonian monarchy Alexander Macedonsky. Then the Judea was conquered.
Returning to the era of the Prophet Zechariah, it must be said that the century after the Babylonian captivity became time when "the Jewish Society was cast in the form in which it was in the days of the earthly life of the Lord, then the parties arose, later the Pharisees and Saddukeev who turned into sects, this century gave life to the Samarian split "(Honter).
Zechariah and other postwar prophets talk about Judea and Israel together (ZA.8: 13), since Israel disappeared after the Assyrian captivity, and his balance after the return of Jews from the Babylonian captivity joined the Jewish society (driving 6: 21). The thought of inseparalism of all twelve knees showed itself with the consecration of the second temple: then 12 goats were brought sacrificed for the sin of all Israel (driving 6: 17; 8:35).

In the Babylonian captivity of Judea (representatives of the knees of Judine, Veniaminov and Levi) were not lost, because they gave them a whole quarter, they gave the opportunity to engage in trade and agriculture, topics to achieve material well-being. By the house-building of God, the Babylonian captivity was to enhance the ungrateful people, but not to destroy to the end; It should have contributed to the increase in the religious-moral level of Jews. So it happened: the people of God disappeared or significantly weakened a thrust for idolatry, they became more attentive to the votes of the prophets, ceased to consider themselves exclusive, which opened the path of proselating in the Old Testament Church.

So, in 538, a decree of Kira was released, which resolved wishing to return from the Babylonian captivity to the Fatherland and start recovering the temple. Migrants returned temple vessels, and also gave material means. This decree reached us in three versions:

"So says Cyrus, King Persian: All the kingdoms of the earth gave me the Lord, the God of Heavenly, and he commanded to build him a house in Jerusalem, which in Judea. Who is from you - from all the people of him, may the Lord, God, with him, and let him go there "(2 pairs.36: 23);

"" So says Cyrus ... All the kingdoms of the earth gave men the Lord, ... and he commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which in Judea. Who is from you, ... May God be with him, "let him go to Jerusalem that in Judea, and the house of the Lord ..., that God, who in Jerusalem. And all the people remaining in all places, where the residents of the places of silver and gold and other property, and livestock, with a good grade for the House of God, will help him, with a good grade for the House of God, which is in Jerusalem. "(Rout.1: 1-4);

- "In the first year of Tsar Kira, King Cyrus gave the command of the house of God in Jerusalem: let the house built on the place where the victims bring, and let the robust reasons for him, will be laid; His left at sixty elbows; rows of stones of large three, and a row of a tree one; The costs of the same way are issued from the royal house. Yes, and the vessels of the House of God, the gold and silver, which Nebuchadnezzar delivered to Babylon, let them return and go to the temple of Jerusalem, everyone in his place, and they will be placed in the House of God "(driving 6: 3-5).

Why did Cyrus let the Jews? Most likely, it was just part of his usual politics: he put himself under the authority of all the gods, considered himself the authorized Messenger over, and his actions - the execution of their will. Therefore, it is not enough likely that he showed more mercy for Jews, even to other peoples conquered. Perhaps the role was played and the fact that the people of God had prophecies about Kiru (IS.44: 28; 45: 1) who were pissing the emperor. In particular, the historian Joseph Flavius \u200b\u200badhered to this opinion. Other researchers ambiguously reacted to such an assumption. Gretz, for example, argued that the Jews who occupied the highest positions at the court, requested before Kirome, encouraging him to let him go to the prisoners, among them was Zorivavel.

Anyway, the decree came out and "Here are the sons of the country from the resettlement prisoners, which Nebuchadnezzar, Tsar Babylonian, took to Babylon, returned to Jerusalem and Judea, each in his city ... The whole society together consisted of 42,360 people, except for their slaves and slaves Their, which were 7337, and with them singers and singers 200 "(ENS.2: 64-65). But not everyone returned. Many were already born in captivity, many have acquired the material benefits with which it was difficult to part, someone generally retreated from the Fathers' faith and did not have an incentive to return to the birthion of the ancestors. Thus, only those for whom the temple and the cult were returned with the subject of hot aspirations, those in the "KOM opened the God of the Spirit of him to go build a house of the Lord, who in Jerusalem" (Ride.1: 5).

According to a number of researchers, the Jews were returning to several techniques.
The ruler of Jewish origin was appointed returned, his residence was located in Jerusalem. He did not interfere actively into the life of the people of God, although he had the right to control the management of Judea. The internal management was carried out by the Jews themselves, incl. Keeping the right of the court according to its laws and freedom of religion. Dependence on Persians was expressed mainly in the payment of grants than the treasurers were provided (driving. 7: 21).

At the head of the internal management stood 12 elders, among which the leader in the civil authority was Zorovaleville, and in religious - the high priest Jesus. Since the Jews at that time were a religious community, they had a high role of the priesthood, but the high priest first had a secondary meaning, inferior to the clutter. The prophets Agga and Zechariah were called upon to strengthen God (driving. 5: 2) and to meet the people's rulers, "telling them the prophetic speeches in the name of God Israel" (driving 5: 1).

The Holy Prophet Zechariah began with the fact that he called on to appeal to God: "... Contact me, the Lord Savaof says, and I will contact you ... Do not be your fathers of your ..." (Zah.1: 1-6). In addition, he consotes the people: "... the Lord of the Words of Good, the words comfortable ... I distinguished about Jerusalem and about Zion ... I appeal to Jerusalem with mercy ... The Lord Sion will comfort himself, and again hesitate Jerusalem" (1: 12-17; 2: 1-12). Sometimes the Prophet draws his words only to Zorovalevel and Jesus: "... Take those who came from captivity ... Go to the house of Iosia ... Take silver and gold and make the crowns, and put on the head of Jesus ..." (Zakh.6: 9-11; Ch.3-4).
Thus, at the beginning of the postpartive period, the Jews had a subassessive national government, decisive by the name of the Persian Tsar and the presidents of all degrees of the hierarchy with the high priest headed. And the prophets of Aggey and Zecharia were entrusted to emergency ministry.

After returning the first thing, the people of God hurried to restore the cult: the altar was arranged and all legitimate victims began to be brought. Then they started the construction of the temple. The Samaris was prevented (4 CARs.17: 24-41), and the works were suspended until 2 years of Tsar Daria. During this period, many, under the load of everyday worries, walked to God. In the Jewish society, there was relaxation, so the Lord erected from their medium of his chosen, designed to inspire the people. The word of the prophets of Aggeya and Zechariah affected and the construction resumed. After 4, 5 years old, the temple was built, consecrated, the priests were resumed, holidays.

As for the inner atmosphere, by that time there were two mainstreaming parties in the community: Khanney-Judean (where he sometimes took the top of the pagan views) and the prophetic-Judean). Decree of Kira about his return was predicted by the prophets, and with the return of God's people with a return from the Babylonian captivity: since the Jews were freed from captivity, in which they hit their sins, it means that God is no longer angry and then the current generation is more worthy of the mercies of God, rather than their Fathers. In addition, many thought that the execution of one prophecy would entail the execution and others, that is, Messianic time comes, it is already very close. As Professor Tikhomirov concluded: "Building a new temple was for the postwalks of the National Renaissance." Jews hoped for the restoration of the kind of David, and Zorovalevel was just the representative of this kind, and all the aspirations turned to him. He was instructed by the Persian government, the position of the clue of the register, which means the actual leadership over the community. They wanted to see the Messianic Tsar, who liberates the people. The prophets saw in the temple the focus of hopes for change for the better, which should have encouraged to build (AGG.1: 2-11; ZA.8: 3-6). The Prophet Zechariah even identified Zorovel with the Messianic king (4: 9). So strongly were the messianic aspirations among the Jews, which even wanted to cancel posts in the memory of the sorting events of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Prophet Zechariah divides this opinion (GL.8).

At first, such expectations of the fast and complete restoration of the people and the kingdom, of course, caused a general rise in the migrants, and in those who remained in Babylon. But soon many were disappointed. The return itself was not easy, there were surrounding peoples on the earth ancestors. As a result of drought, difficult hungry times came, lacked material means. When, finally, the construction of the temple was completed, those who saw the first temple of Solomonov were completed, were disappointed that the second is inferior to him in magnificence (AGG.2: 3; driving Gl.3). And so, the temple is already built, and Messianic times did not come. It was especially difficult for the people of God to accept the fate of Zorvalevel, who was considered chosen by God (AGG.2: 23; Zah.4: 10; 6:13) for the role of the king. Zellin even put forward the hypothesis that Zoronaver was over the crown at one time. But in reality, his fate turned out to be the fate of an ordinary person, according to the legend who deceased with a violent death, although it is definitely not known for his end.

And in such an atmosphere of universal disappointment and the weakening of faith in a single God, the prophet Agga, and then Zechariah. Speakers with a call to the people, evaluate your moral state, reduce the self-confidence. He warn that God can be angry again. But at the same time, the prophets predict and the best future when the aspirations of the chosen people are as follows, but subject to their dignity. The Holy Prophet Zechariah is confident in the execution of promises, but indicates their remoteness, that before you need to clean people, to make it capable of accepting promises, warns that ahead is a difficult path.

The purpose of the book of the Prophet Zechariah.

1) encourage the builders of the temple and the people in the era of the recovery of the community;

2) dispel a false opinion about the righteousness and the godding of liberated from the captivity and on the immediate vicinity of Messianic times; For which the Prophet depicts the future the kingdom of the Messiah and the glorious fate of the Jews, the pagans showing the gun in the hands of God.

3) Private Rates:

6: 9-15 - The reason served in Jerusalem Helday with satellites from Babylon with gifts for the temple;
- GL.7-8 - written on the occasion of a dispute about posts.

4) In addition, of course, the Prophet Zakharia draws the attention of the liberated to the punishment, to whom they were for disregarding the commandments, calls to please God through obedience and obedience, explains why the wrath of God will overtake their fathers and how they are delivered from captivity (1: 1 -6).

"Knowing about how suffering they were before, he corrected, recalling them about it, and he was prevented by the young and not knowing that they were not subjected to the same disasters, having loved the unclean life." (SVT. Cyril Alexandria. Interpretation on the Prophet Khazaria).

The identity of the Prophet Zechariah.

"Zechariah" translated - "He whom Jehovah remembers."
Zechariah himself calls his son with a varachic, his son. The opinions of the researchers were partitioned as to whom the Prophet Zechariah had to be mentioned in 1: 1 of the varachia and hisDdo. About the varachia is unknown anything. Addo was the head of generation, the priest on returning from captivity at the High Priest Joachim (Neven. 12: 1,12,16). The word Son - "Ben" means son, and grandson (Gen..29: 5; 32:55; 2 Tsar.19: 24). [EP. Palladium (drinks). Interpretation on the Book of the Holy Prophet Zechariah].

Assumptions There are many assumptions. Saint Cyril Alexandrian called Addo Father Zechariah in spirit (since he was his educator), and the Varachiu - Father on the flesh. Pre-Secretary Palladium doubts, is the fact that Addo brought up Zharya. Blessed Jerome: "Addo could not be grandfather Zakharia, but he was his more distant ancestor (2 pairs. 12:15 and 13:22; 3 Tsar.13: 1-6). Bertoldt suggests Levirat here: the Mother of the Prophet Mother of the Varachius died, she gave birth to Zaharia from his brother. Blessed Feodorith: "The most likely opinion is that the name of the Father and the name of the one who was born who was born ... so that Socialism did not damage the truth ... The Prophet clearly distinguishes himself with his own, to protect against falseproorok."

Most of the interpreters converge on the fact that the scratchy was the father of Zechariah, he died early and was not remarkable by anything, and Grandfo Proto to return time from captivity was the head of the priest.
There are no certain data about the birth of the birth circumstances and death of the Prophet Zechariah, there remains only to guess about some hints in the text of his book and according to the testimony of legends.

In the reign of Kira, at Zorovale, Zechariah was still a young man, because after 18 years after returning from captivity, in the second year Darius Histasp, i.e. Around 519, he still calls himself young men (2: 4). Most likely, the Prophet was born in captivity shortly before the Declaration of Cyrus and the trap arrived in Jerusalem. Professor Lopukhin adds to the confirmation of this opinion: "... In the images of the expression of Zecharia, the Babylonian life said." Although other researchers disagree with him, arguing that the Babylonian influence on the book of the Prophet Zechariah is insignificant, he could learn about the customs from compatriots.

The Holy Prophet Zechariah took place from the kind of priests and himself was a priest, if agreed with the opinion of most interpreters, that in Nevech.12: 16 and driving. 5: 1 and 6:14 they talk about the same people. Moreover, he was the head of the priesthood (all chapters were 12). He inherited this title from Addo at the High Priest Joachim, the Son of Jesus (Neuke 12: 10; 12:16). The prophetic ministry Zechariah began before the priesthood as the head of the genus.

The first prophecy of Zechariah said in Darius Histaspe, in his 2nd year (1: 1). The date of the last prophecy can be derived from the text: "In the 4th year of Tsar Daria ..." (7: 1). Therefore, chapter 9-14 belong to even later.

Unfortunately, there are no specific data to accurately establish the entire period of the prophetic ministry of Zechariah. It can be said that this ministry coincided with the time of the first dispensation of the Jewish community on returning from Babylon and the time of recreating the temple. Most likely, the prophetic activity of Saint Zechariah lasted about 40 years [Ier. Gennady Egorov. Sacred Scripture of the Old Testament] and was longer than the prophet Aggeya.

The names of the prophets of Aggey and Zechariah stand in Psalms 137,145,147,148,138 possible because they betrayed these psamm form.

The book of the Prophet Zechariah can be divided into two departments: visions and prophecies. Through visions and dreams are promised or revelation. For them follow three prophetic speeches (ch. 7-8; ch. 9-11 ;, GL.12-14). The main theme of all visions is the Lord - the Guardian and Defender of Israel, the external misfortunes do not mean that he forgot his people.

1st Vision (1: 7-16).

Four riders are anger-free Angels: "But are not numerous, and these are unknown people; In accordance with the need of Vladyka gives us their visible images "(BLZH. PEODORITE KARSKIY, T.30);
Easternative colors of horses meant different actions: redhead, i.e. Blood colors - these riders should have taken peace from the Earth and arouse war (AP.6: 4); Riders on the motley horses (in the apocalypse - on pale) - "Death Name" (AP.6: 8) - They are given power to kill the sword, hunger and the sea "(AP.6: 8); On White - the Victory and Celebrations and Celebrations (6: 2).

The riders are sent to bypass the Earth (1:10), as a result of which they found out that "the whole earth is calm and inhabited" (1:11). Historically, it was in the time of Darius Persian - the world reigned everywhere in the Persian Empire, only Judea was devastated, Jerusalem, standing without walls.

Jehovah Angel after the report (1: 11-12) was immediately prayed (1:12) so that the Lord grips and received from God "the words of Goodness, the words comfortable" (1:13). The Lord promises to give grace to the Jews, to the execution of fertile promises: Jerusalem will be restored in the same form (1:16); Good will return to their cities; Jehovah raises and again will elect Jerusalem for his habitat among his people.

Mirates are beautiful plants symbolizing theocracy, the Earth, Judaic, kind of god. They grew in lowlands (1: 8), which symbolized a deep humiliation, in which the Jews and the elected people were then located.

2nd Vision (1: 18-21).

Four horns and four workers knocking them - this is an image called in order to assure the people of God safe; that any enmity and pagan power against Israel will be destroyed;

3rd vision (2: 1-13).

A vision of a husband with land veterus, which will settle in Jerusalem. And now many nations will come to him and become His people.

Those. The vision depicts the glorious state of the people of God and His kingdom in his gradual disclosure before coming to the completeness of the perfection of Glory (2: 1-13); This promise is fully fulfilled in its second coming in glory (in. 1:14; AP.21: 3), when God's kingdom will spread through the adoption of the pagans seeking God (Mih.4: 2) [Archmep. John (Smirnov). Prophet Zechariah].
4th Vision (3: 6-7) It should be understood in such a way that the proper execution of high-priority duties guarantees Jesus security and God's Pokrov;

In addition, in the Old Testament in the High Priest, as the center focused on the nature of the entire sacred estate of the Israeli people, and in this class and the nature of the People's Cornod of the Saint (Exk.19: 6), the kingdom of priests. But through the fall of the people, the nature of holiness was discussed. To restore Israel in the same dignity, in it to make it capable of learning divine promises, it is necessary to clear the people. The captivity did not quite eradicate sin, idolatry became more sophisticated: self-defense, pride ... This vision shows that the Lord restores the high priest in his dignity (3: 2 ...) as the sacred face. God gives the promise of the high priesthood in the people of God (3: 7) and in a conservation value - the promise of the future kingdom. In this promise, what is not granted in the Old Testament (3: 8-10): "Here, I bring my servant, the industry ..." - God leads a branch that David promised (Ier.23: 5; 33:10); PS. 11: 1) - from the genus David, the little-known state [Archpiep. John (Smirnov). Prophet Zechariah].

In the 5th vision (3: 8-9) The Prophet contemplates the very Jesus Christ (Mich 4:14). The phenomenon of stone indicated the crucifix;

6th Vision (4: 1-14).

Two Maslins are Zorovalel and High Priest Jesus, who fulfilled the main service on the revival of Israel (4: 9), which united the original and royal ministry, which was transformed by the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
Regarding 4: 9 ("The hands of Zorvalevel put the foundation of the house at this; his hands will finish him, and you learn that the Lord Savaof sent me to you") Holy Fathers said:
"If God says this about Zorvalevel, then, considering historically, you can attribute these words to him, and in the spiritual sense you can intelligible them and Christ, for he has become our foundation, and we all spiritually built for him in the holy temple" ( SVT. Kirill Alexandria).
"If Zorvalevel copoldes here the Son of God, then the temple is a man created by God and restored after the fall" (PRP. Maxim Confessor).
About eyes in stone (3: 9) BLI. The Feodorite assumes the following: "There should be no one to take away the eyes and a number of seven for certain, because the very effectiveness of God's grace, seven - the number denoting the abundance and greatness .. the stone is the prophet of Zorvalevel on his hardness and irresistibleness .. and over Togo, Zorovevel was a manner of the Vladyka of Christ, which in many places of the Holy Scripture was mashed by a stone ... This stone, carrying the Sorry (since the Savior's Savior occurred from him) in fairness and himself, shining with multi-solid dating, referred to as a stone. "

7th Vision (5: 1-4).

Vision scroll or sickle with curses on Tathi. The words "scroll" and "Sickle" in Jewish are written in the same way. In the translation of Seventy, the word "sickle" is worth. The main meaning does not depend on these values. Perhaps just the scroll was bent in the form of a sickle.

8th Vision (5: 5-10).

The meaning of the prophecy is that all the characteristic vices of other peoples returning should leave and not contribute to their land.

"Lead gives to intelligence the severity of sin, for there is nothing heavier and burdensome to sin ..., and who captives them will fall into the bottom of Adovo. And the measure means the end of the long-suffering to the sinned and the beginning of the punishment. Because not without measure and will not always be polished, but only before time until the sins will not suffer the greatest punishments "(PRP. Isidore Pelusiot).

9th Vision (6: 1-7).

Four chariots denote with the first vision. The same chariots are designed to protect the Jew from enemies and dangers.

10th vision.

Continuation of the fourth vision. "From the very beginning we argued that the Christ was depicted in Zorovale and Jesus, both in each separately and in both together, as a single person; For the King of Israel, and the High Priest "(SVT. Kirill Alexandria) are aligned in it.

So All visions make up a single messianic revelation, the result of which the words are becoming: "And they will come to come, and will take part in building the temple of the Lord, and you will learn that the Lord Savaof sent me to you, and it will be if you diligently you will obey the reading of the Lord God of your »(6:15). This is the then Temple and the Church of God from People [Ier. Gennady Egorov].

Prophetic speeches.

General Thought: The resettlement in Jerusalem on makes the people's righteous and does not guarantee all the grace of God, regardless of the moral state.

1- speech.

The Jews of those times had four posts, established in memory of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem, began the destruction of the walls, burning the city and the temple and the murder of Godolya. When people got rid of the captivity of the Babylonian, they were so joined and were full of bright hopes for the future. Therefore, they wondered if these posts should be observed.
What the Prophet answers that if you live in Jerusalem and the city will be sainted, then these posts by the holiday (8: 21,23).

2nd speech.

The Prophet announces the pagans and security of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be saved, because the king will be included in it: "Likui from joy, the dashing of Zion, ... CE king is coming to you ..." (9: 9-10).

The crushing of the weapon in the Israelis did not mean victories over them, but equated to the lack of necessity in it, because the Lord will provide them with the world.
Zechariah himself calls himself a prototype of Christ: a rejected shepherd, who sends him, rejected him, to pay for the work fee (11: 12-13). This excerpt of Scripture is read as a parium in the temple into the Great Heels.
"And I will take the rod of my favor - to destroy it to destroy the covenant, who I concluded with all the nations ... And I will tell them: if you please, then let me pay me: If not, - do not let me ... and I broke my other rod - "Ozi" to terminate the brotherhood between Juda and Israel ... ", (11: 10-14).
The refraction of the first rod, to whom the Lord Pass Sheep, the perception of throwing 30 silventmen, which meant the end of the Old Testament. The refraction of the second rod marked the final separation between righteous and sinful, who believed and not [Ier. Gennady Egorov].

3rd speech.

The meaning is to the victory of Israel over the enemies and the welling of the rejected Messiah.

"And on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the isol spirit of grace and subsignation, and they are led by him, whom they pierced, and will sob on him, how they sob on the only begotten son, and to grieve, how they grieve about First People" (12:10) - The journey of the Messiah is through the cross.
"On that day, the source of the house of Davidov and the residents of Jerusalem for the wasy of sin and sewage will open" (13: 1) - through the spinning of the rib and the expire of blood and water opened the source of washing of sin and sewage.

"Oh, sword! Lift at my shepherd and at my neighbor, says the Lord ... Handicate the Shepherd, and the sheep dispel ... "(13: 7) - the prophecy of the scattering of the apostles.
"Alone said: I'll be crowded on me, I sidelled, so as not to submit thoughts as if he endured without will, she teaches the prophet that he voluntarily came ..." (BLZH. PEODORITE KARSKIY). Therefore, the prophetic word depicts the divine permission and shows that the sword hears the permeability of the father first, then rushes on the pattern, and after - to citizens ... After the Lord, rushed to the priests and the apostles and the preachers of the preachers "(BLZH. KERSKIY PEROORITE).
"And I will introduce this third part into the fire, and I will pass them as silver melted, and I clean them, as silver melted, and I clean them, how to cleanse gold: they will call on my name, and I will hear them and say:" This is my people "And they will say:" The Lord is my God! "(13: 9). "This is a pre-proposos of God and the mouth of the Bogomudrome Zechariah that the two parts will be exterminated for the disbelief, the third will be lost in temptations and will become good, it is named by his people, his name of the Lord ..." (Bl. Feodorite).
"And his legs will be on the day on Mount Eleonskaya, which in the face of Jerusalem to the east; And the Mount Eleonskaya will rise from East to the West to the West, and half of the mountain will go back to the north, and half of it - to the south "(14: 4) - This passage is a parema for the Holiday of the Ascension of the Lord.
And poems 3-9 chapter by the fourteenth are the prophecy of the Great Friday. The division of the mountain (14: 4) is a prototype of an earthquake on the day of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ (BLZH. Feeodorite).
"Then everyone else from all nations coming against Jerusalem will come from year to year to worship the king, the Lord ..." (14:16) - It will happen after the victory of Christ, i.e. The new ministry of the Lord in Jerusalem will be punished, those who are not coming for a holiday will be punished. Then the abundant source of grace will open and entail the coming of all nations to celebrate in Jerusalem [Ier. Gennady Egorov].
The book of the Prophet Zechariah is difficult for interpretation, because he speaks of the secrets of the Church of Christ, about the future through the historical events of the Jewish people after captivity of the Babylonian, about Jerusalem earthly and heavenly. Such an abundance of mystical images uses only the Prophet Ezekiel in his book.

Interpretation on the book of the Prophet Zechariah.

Safety interpretations: St. Ephraim Sirin (on chapters 3-14); sv. Kirill Alexandria, BLZH. Theodorite of Kirski and Bl. Jerome. All of them are in Russian translation;

In a later period, Irinea comments (Clementevsky), Archipeli appeared. Pskov; EP. Palladium Sarapulsky (interpretation on the books of St. Prophets Zechariah and Malachi); prot. Dimitriya Christmas (the book of the Prophet Zechariah. Isagogical research. Master's dissertation); Ier. Gennady Egorov (Holy Scripture of the Old Testament); Archite John (Smirnov) (Prophet Zechariah).

The issue of the authenticity of the second part (GL.9-14) is devoted to a slight study of D. Bogorodsky).

Author

From the book of Zechariah, as well as from the books of Ezra and Books Ezra and Nefehemia, we can argue that Zechariah was a contemporary of the prophet Hagae, Zerubavel and High Priest Yiehoshua; Having survived the latter, he was with his son Joachim the head of his priest. The beginning of the prophetic activity of Zechariah according to these books is determined quite accurately; About her late, as well as the time of death of the Prophet and the place of His burial, we do not have any instructions in the tanya.

About his time and place of birth is not exact. The most adopted opinion from the researchers is such: if during the high priesthood of Yiehoshua, the grandfather's grandfather's grandfather was still a representative of his priesthood, hence, Zechariah, when the captives return to Jerusalem to the reign of Keira, was a relatively young man; And from the fact that he, eighteen years later, in the second year, Darius Histasp (520-518 BC), calls himself "young man" (2: 8), this assumption becomes even more likely. From here this conclusion is done: the Prophet was born in Babylon shortly before the publication of the Decree of Kira and in childhood arrived in Jerusalem.

The first recorded prophecy of Zechariah refers to the second year Darius Histspa. The last of the prophecies of Zechariah, with a certain indication of the time, applies to the ninth month of the fourth year Daria (7: 1). Prophecies of chapters 9-14 do not have chronological data. Thus, the period of the prophecy of Zechariah coincides with the time of the initial dispensation of the Jewish community on returning from Babylon, and the time of recreating the temple (or, as some scientists are expressed, - restoration time). It was in parallel with the prophetic activity of Haga, but it was longer (if you judge the instructions of the books of these prophets).

General of the book

Zechariah seeks to atrite the builders of the temple and all the people in a difficult time to restore the community after the Babylonian captivity; At the same time, he tries to dispel a false opinion about the righteousness and the godding of liberated from the captivity and the immediate vicinity of Messianic times. The Prophet stresses that the future of the Messiah realm to realize only after a long struggle with paganism, after repeated falls of the most Jewish people; The actions of providence, the leading people to the goal intended for him will be expressed in the wonderful assistance to the Sons of Israel in the fight against paganism, on the one hand, and in serious punishments for their sins themselves, on the other; Moreover, the pagans serve as an instrument in the hands of God to punish the sons of Israel.

The Book of Zelaria disintegrates into two parts (chapters 1-8 and chapter 9-14), differing in both content and style.

The first part of the book of the Prophet Zecharia

First partwhich contains the revelations of the prophet who were in the second and fourth years of the reign of Darius of Histscape (1: 7; 7: 1). It is focused on building a temple and on the main leaders of that time, the serbavel and the high priest of Yehoshua. This part can be divided into three sections.

The first section (1: 1-6) concludes an introductory guarantee to appeal from evil ways to God, indicating the disasters that the ancestors of the contemporaries of the Prophet for their unrecognizance, and the immutability of divine definitions.
The second section (1: 7-6: 15) consists of a description of eight prophetic visions and their concluding symbolic action.
In the third section (7 and 8 ch.) The prophet prophet offers on behalf of God to resolve the issue of compliance with the posts established in the memory of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, as well as divine extensions and promises.

A specific reason for writing for writing a passage 6: 9-15 served in Jerusalem Helday with satellites from Babylon, with gifts for the temple. Chapters 7 and 8 are written in view of the discussion in the Jewish people of the issue of the relevance of compliance with the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of Posts, with changed circumstances.

In addition, the Prophet appeals to the question of the main sense of serving God, which he sees in compliance with the ethical norms - justice, mercy, compassion and commitment to the truth. The first part of the book is completed by the vision of "many tribes and strong peoples", which will come to "recover the Lord ... in Jerusalem" (8:22; Wed. Is. 2: 3). Thus, Zharia, like the prophets preceded by him, believes in the universal mission of the Jewish religion and - as well as a second-sided - awaits her soon.

The second part of the book of the Prophet Zechariah and the problem of her authorship

The second part of The books of the Prophet Zechariah (chapters 9 - 14) contains an image of the future fate of the world in general and Messianic times in particular. In this part of the book there is no designation time of receiving revelations and the name of the Prophet. Angels and an evil spirit, which are stated in the visions of the first part, are also not found in the second part of the book.

The second half of the book of Zechariah can be divided into two prophecies (chapters 9-11 and chapter 12-14), which starts the same in the same way: "מַשָּׂא דְבַר-יי" - "The prophetic word of the Lord":

The first prophecy consisting of two parts - ch. 9-10 and ch. eleven
The second prophecy consisting of two parts - 12: 1-13: 6 and 13: 7-14: 21.

First prophecycompeted on the land of Hadrah, depicts the struggle between the pagan world and Israel and the destruction of the power of the pagans; but second prophecy (About Israel) draws pictures of the future state of the chosen people when he is purified by disasters will reach a high degree of holiness and glory.

Features of the second part of the book

Unlike the first part, here we are talking about the lavender the hostile to the Jewish people of the world powers, a good and unfastened shepherd, about the great crime of the people and his repentance and universal sanctification.

The language and style of the second part also differ significantly from the first. The first part is usually written by prose, the second - poetic language; In the first part, each independent excerpt begins with a brief introductory formula, in the second they are missing. In the second part, there is a relatively greater number of arameems that can indicate its later origin.

Problems of the second part of the book

In view of the essential differences of the style of these heads from the first half of the book of Zechariah, the direction of "biblical criticism" starting from 17 V. It began to express an increasing doubt in their authenticity. For Christian scientists, an additional reason for separating the last six chapters was the fact that in the gospel of Matthew (27: 9) quotation from Zechariah 11:12 is given with reference not to Zaharia, but on Jeremiah.

The creation time of the second part

The opinions of researchers about the time of drawing up these prophecies are divergent. Some scientists refer them to the period of the Board of the Jewish king of Uzziness (8 V. BC), others consider the form into which theological motives of prophecies characteristic of the Hellenistic period are involved and on this basis include prophecies to 3 V. BC er

Question of authorship

Opponents of assigning the second part of the Zechariah book another author believe that the difference between the two parts is not so great so that it can be possible on this basis to exclude the possibility of a single authorship. The second part does not contain visions; But in the first part, quite significant passages (ch. 7-8) are a narrative, not a vision; The symbolic effect described in the first part, in the second part correspond to symbolic actions at 9: 4-17.

Good and evil spirits are not active persons and are not mentioned in the second part, but there are no speech about them and in ch. 7-8; On the other hand, in the goals. 12: 8 Mentioned about the "Angel of the Lord", and in the zh. 14: 5, about the "saints" which also many commentators refer to the angels. The inconsistency of the content of the second part of Zechariah historical circumstances also cannot be reliably shown.

As a result, a scrupulous analysis of the second part of Zechariah's book leads to the conclusion that it is difficult if it is possible to make a final judgment about its authorship. Each of the tramisating parties has strong arguments in favor of its position, but weaknesses in the model offered by them are also discovered.

Footnotes

Links

Text book (Hebrew)
Book text (translation)

Notification: The preliminary basis of this article was the article Zharia in EEE

Tanah books (Jewish Bible)
Pentateuch ( Torah)
Prophets ( Nevestia)
Scriptures ( Ketuvim)

Biblical prophets

Prophets in Pentateuch

Noah
Noah

Jewel
Ever

Abraham
Abraham

Sarah.
Sarah

Isaac
Itzhak

Jacob
Yaakov

Moses
Moshe

Aaron
Aaron

Mariam
Mirian

Finees
Pinhas.

Jesus Navin.
Yehoshua Bin Nun

Balaam
Bill "Am.

Prophets in the era of judges and the united kingdom

Devolution
Yard

"And I will tell them: if you please, then let me pay my fee; If not, - do not let it; And they will get in the payment of me thirty Srebrenikov. " No, it is not a quote from the accuracy of the unknown gospel text, describing the betrayal of Judas. All this was predicted by the Prophet Zharya, another 500 years before the Nativity of Christ. And the words about thirty Srebrenika, and others as accurate predictions of Zechariah can be easily found in any edition of the Old Testament.

But where could the Prophet Zechariah about the preparing betrayal, if he lived long before the events described in the Gospel?

Homecoming

In the VI century to R.Kh. The Jewish people have comprehended one of the greatest tests in his entire history. Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II won the Jewish kingdom, destroyed him the capital - Jerusalem and moved thousands of Jews to Babylon. There, they were forced to live a few decades, waiting for the royal decree, which would allow them to return home, promised to earth.

When such a decree finally appeared, the joys of the people there were no boundaries - "We were as if seen in a dream," says this, Likuya, Psalmopevets. Jews began to return to Jerusalem whole families. But all the Jews lay in the ruins and for the years who have passed since the invasion of Babylonian, almost plead. The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed, and the ark of the covenant stored in it, the greatest shrine of the Jewish people - is lost forever. And despite the fact that now it was possible to be taken for the restoration of not only the city and the country, but also the temple, the people could not adequately thank God for the wonderful salvation from captivity. The despondency that swept the Jews at the sight of a ruined country was so great that she stopped the construction of the second temple. And then God sent to his people at once two prophets designed to console and inspire - Aggeya and Zhariah.

According to legend, Zechariah was a relative of Aggey and came from a very noble kind. The book of his prophecies is full of complex images. It consists of two parts. The first one begins with the fact that Zechariah sees angels whom God sends to bypass the Earth; Angels return and say that "the whole land is inhabited and calm" (za. 1 , 11), and only one Jerusalem in the launch. Then God gives a promise to console your people and reveal him with mercy. The city of Judea will be restored, and soon "Jerusalem will populate the surroundings due to many people and livestock in it" (Zah. 2 , four). Then Zechariah sees, as the modern priest Jesus, the son of Jouedeka, appears before God in stained clothes, which mean the sin of all the people. But by the will of God, the angels reproduce Jesus, thereby clearing all the people from sins and opening a new, clean page of his history. Next, the Prophet describes his vision of the lamp and two olives, connecting the word of God to the prince of Zoronoville, the contemporary of Zechariah, and the prophecy about the restoration of both branches of the authorities, former from Jews to the captivity of the royal and priest. It would seem that it seems exclusively about modern Zechariah events, where is the prophecies about the Messiah? However, not all so simple.

The first part of the Book of the Prophet Zechariah ends by the vision of angels, again sent to the world, and this time they found the world and peace everywhere. But on the head of the priest Jesus, who was to restore the Jerusalem Temple, for some reason two crowns are assigned at once, after which Zechariah sees probably completely different vision in his meaning. The Prophet begins to draft what it is difficult to expect from the historical prophecy - he calls Jesus a branch (Heb. Cem), and he says that "he will accept glory, and will send, and will be dominated by his prestrol; There will be a priest on the throne, and the world will be between topics and others. " 6 , 13). But maybe one person to combine in itself and the royal and priestly power? It was only during the times of Abraham and Tsar Melchizedek, but in the mouth of Zechariah sounded, to put it mildly, strangely, if you attract these words precisely to the son of Jouedeka Jesus, and even with Living Zorovale. It seems that the Prophet saw something, he was so striking that he saw a long rethinking.

The day of the Lord comes

The second part of the book of the Prophet Zechariah is written after two years, and this time in verses, and not in prose. It is so different from the first in shape and in content (Zechariah no longer writes about modern events) that some researchers even consider it by the author of the so-called second-hand - an unknown and later prophet.

There are no serious arguments in favor of the existence of broadcast. In both parts of the book of the Prophet Zecharia, lexical unity is preserved; In addition, there, and there are characteristic of the Zechariah expression and images. Therefore, it is most likely to assume that the difference in the form of presentation of prophecies may be related to the fact that prophecies in the second part are different.

Initially, Zechariah describes how God stakes the Jews - they did not return His commandments, "and his heart was acquired in order not to hear the law and the words that Lord Savaof sent the Spirit through the former prophets" (Zah. 7 , 12). And then the Judea was ruined and empty. But God has walked around: "I will save my people from the country of the East and from the country of sun offering; And I will give them, and they will live in Jerusalem, and they will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and truth, "he says through the Prophet (Zeh. 8 , eight). Moreover, Zechariah predicts that the pagans recognize the true God: "Will be in those days, we will take ten people from all the volatile peoples, will take it on the semi of Jews and will say: we will go with you, for we heard that God with you" ( Forces 8 23). Is it all reminders of gospel events, when in a literal sense one touch to the clothes of Christ healed, and the pagans came to listen to his students or at least touch them?

Yes, the prophet Zechariah is really talking about the distant future. Seen shakes him, and he exclaims: "Likui from joy, Shadder Zion, Cement, Dzcher Jerusalem: Sea king is coming to you, righteous and saving, meek, sitting on the Osksya and the young donkey, the Son of Podoire" (Zah. 9, nine). Strange, but not on a fighting horse, and the long-awaited king is entering his city in a modest donkey. Anyone who read the Gospel from Matthew, remembers that the students of Christ in front of his solemn entrance in Jerusalem went to the place specified by the teacher, and indeed "led the donkey and young donkey and put their clothes on them, and he sat down on top of them" (MF. 21 , 7). It remains only to be surprised at how accurate Zechariah predicted this event.

We have no reason to suspect that Jesus's entry in Jerusalem on a donkey was made specifically to cause an association with the prophecy of Zechariah. Defencing such accusations, the apostle John writes: "His disciples did not understand this [coincidence - E.P.]; But when Jesus became famous, then they remembered that it was written about him, and they made it "(in. 12 , 16).

The time in which all this should happen, the prophet himself calls the "Day of the Lord." He talks about the Jews: "And the Lord will save them on the day like sheep, their people" (za. 9 , sixteen). How this phrase is amazingly echoes with the patrol of Christ about the good shepherd and the lost sheep! But then the events are developing very strange - instead of the joyful meeting of the Messiah, anger comes, and "True Sheep" are doomed to the slaughter ... And finally, the terrible words about thirty Srebreniki sound, who said as if Judah said. Moreover, the prophet continues: "And the Lord told me: Throw them to church storage - a high price, which they appreciate me! And I took the thirty Srebrenikov and threw them into the house of the gentleman's house. " Compare with the Evangelical text telling about Jude: "Throwing Srebrenika in the temple, he came out, went and walked. The high priests, taking the Srebrenika, said: it is unable to put them in the treasury of church, because this is the blood price. Having made the same meeting, bought the land of the pot "(MF. 27 , 5-7). Zechariah symbolically writes from his face, but there can be no doubt that his prophecy came true in the times of Christ.

Then Zechariah writes that in the future, people are fascinated in their sins, but the irreparable will already be accomplished: "And they are led by him, whom they pierced, and will cry about him how they sob about the only begotten son, and mournful (Zakh. 12 , 10). This prophecy, all researchers unanimously attribute to Christ, whose chest pierced on the cross of the spear to make sure of his death.

Of course, for those who show still possible salvation. But the last chapters of the Book of the Prophet Zecharia are already talking about very terrible things. Previously, he arranged that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and become a great city, but only this prophecy begins to come true, writes: "Here comes the day of the Lord, and they will share the loot from you. And I will collect all the peoples on the war against Jerusalem, and the city will be taken, and houses will be looted, and wives will be guessed, and half of the city will go to captivity "(Zah. 14 , 1, 2).

As well as the prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem, the prediction of Zeroussalem, the prediction of Zechariah clearly has two levels of interpretation: one of them relates to now accomplishing historical events, the other - to the decent destinies of the world. In fact, here we are almost for the first time we meet with apocalyptic prophecies.

However, the "Day of the Lord" is not only anger day, but also the day of the long-awaited liberation and joy, because when everything comes to come true, "the Lord will come true," the Lord will be the king on all earthy "(Zah. 14 , 9).

Yes, Scripture will come true

The book, as if abandoned by the Prophet Zaharia on the complete hopes of the words "on that day," was immediately included in the Canon of the Old Testament, finally decorated the priest after a few decades. Trust in the prophetic gift and the ministry of Zechariah, in his life, was unshakable. Everything came true, as stated in the first part of his book: Jerusalem was rebuilt, the temple was restored. The mercy of God in relation to the Jewish people was manifested in everything: and how quickly destroyed cities were revived, and in how the population and wealth of the country rising almost from the ruins grew. And the book of Zechariah began for the Jewish people to the prophecy of the Day of the Lord, the Day of the Messiah.

Five centuries after the death of the Prophet Jews were still waiting for the Savior. But the words of Zechariah that he will connect in himself and the royal, and the priestly ministry, transformed into the minds of the as oppressed by the Romans of Jews into the image of the Great Leader, the king, who liberates his people not so much from sins as from the occupiers. Therefore, when one day in a dusty road, leading to Jerusalem, a man appeared on a young donkey, he shouted "Osanna!" In the hope that Roman rule came to the end. But for some reason he advised to still pay Cape Cesare, and there was no troops with him - only a handful of students ... and the Jews could not forgive him their unfulfilled hopes. Few people people can hate if they did not like earlier, and now the moment came, when Judas, thinking that I was mistaken in the teacher, I came to the temple, built including the hands of Zechariah, and said to the high priests: "If you please, let me give me My fee "... However, we do not know what really spoke Judas maybe it. If he could quote Zharya at the time of betrayal, then a little later, describing these events, the evangelist Matthew is quite possible, from excitement - is mistaken, and attributes these words of Jeremiah. However, the fact that all messianic prophecies of Zechariah were fulfilled on Jesus of Nazareth, the apostle Matthew in his narration repeatedly emphasizes.

Anyone who does not accept Christ because I do not quite agree with the New Testament teaching, can accept it, bending under the severity of the authority of many prophets, throughout the centuries, predicted in detail the life path and suffering of the anointed of God. On Jesus of Nazareth, all prophecies were fulfilled - and Zechariah, Isaiah, and Moses, and many other prophets. Therefore, Matthew, who wrote the Gospel for Jews (that is, for people familiar with the texts of the Old Testament), it seemed to be completely natural to appeal to the authority of the prophets to help people accept the long-awaited Savior - not a military leader, and a good shepherd, for whose lives only thirty Srebrenikov That God himself also called the mouth of Zechariah "High Price".

In the time of Moses, so much paid for the deceased chance of slave.

October, November, December

Life of the Holy Prophet Zecharia
Memory September 5

The Holy Prophet Zechariah, the priest from the offspring of Ifamar, the son of Aaronov, had a wife Elisaven, who was also from the genus Aaronov and brought his sister Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin. The Holy Gospel testifies to Zechariah and Elisavet that they were decorated with all virtues, immaculately passing their life field.

Icon. Prophet Zechariah. Gallery icons.

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luka talks about them: " both were righteous before God, acting in all commandments and the charters of the Lord"(LK.1: 6). What lives were really pious, the saint of their industry, honest and glorious prophet, the forerunner and the Baptist of the Lord of John also testifies to this. In Scripture, it is said:" by fruits will learn them"(MF.7: 16): The fetus from the good tree really can not be ill, for, as the same Scripture says:" if the root is holy, then branches"(ROM.11: 16). Therefore, the holy branch - John could only occur from the holy root.

St. Zechariah, Father's Father, sacred in Jerusalem in Herod's reign 1. He was from day twread Avia, that is, from the genus of Avia, the queue of which had to go to the eighth week.

This is what the following is narrated.

King David, seeing that the nature of Aaron became very numerous, so there was no possibility to fulfill the ministry together in the temple, divided the descendants of Aaron for twenty-four twreads or faces so that they, one by one, handle each of their sadmits, committed services in Temple. In all, a separate twread, the king elected one more honest husband and made him the head of the face, so that every day had his chief priest, there were more than five thousand priests. In order not to be between the main priests of the dispute about who among them with their face serve the first week, to whom the third, to whom the third, etc. Up to twenty-fourth, they threw the lot and did the distribution along the lot, and they held such a set of turn before the onset of a new grace, so that the descendants of each priest observed their turn on the lot, which fell their ancestor. The eighth draw fell a priest of Avia (1 Par.24: 10), among the descendants of which was also holy Zechariah; Therefore, he sent during the eighth week a service in the temple along with all his twine, for he was the main thing over the rest of the priests of his row.

One day Zechariah, - When he, observing his turn, served before God, - according to the customs of the priests, it was necessary to enter the temple of the Lord for each; It was at that time on prayer many people. Entering the sanctuary, Zechariah noted the Angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the Cadyl altar. At the sight of Angel, Zharya embraced fear; But the Messenger of God calmed him down, saying: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah." And he comforted the righteous priest, elevating that his prayer was favorable to God; Herring her, the Lord gives him mercy: he blessed his wife Elisaven, resolving the age of her misfortune, and she will give birth to a son, the aezonent grace of John 2, who will bring joy not only to parents, but also a lot of people: "Many , "Angel added," rejoice in his birth. " Zechariah angel was also announced that his son would be great before the Lord is not a body, but spirit; He will be a postman and will lead such an abscess such as no other; And indeed, this was about him and the testimony of the Son of God: " for John the Baptist came: neither bread does not eat, no wine drinks"(LK.7: 33). Angel predicted that in the womb of John, the Spirit of the Holy and many of the sons of Israeli will turn to the true Lord to God that he will be the Christ forerunner in the spirit and strength of the prophet Ilia 3 and will prepare people to adopt the Lord Savior.

Ice all this, Zechariah was surprised and amazed, so it was not decided to believe said; Strange seemed to him by this because Elizaveta was untold, and both of them were already older. And he said angel:

- How do I believe this: After all, I already old, was my wife, who never had children?

Then the angel answered him:

- I - Gabriel, the coming before God; I am sent to say and evoke this. And for the fact that you did not believe my words, you will not tell you a single word until all this is fulfilled.

Since Zechariah, in a conversation with an angel, slowed down in the altar, then the people, the former in the church, was divided by. Going to the people, Zechariah was forced to show signs that he became him; Then those present understood that he was a vision in the altar.

After graduating, Zechariah returned to his house, which was in a mountainous country, in Hebron, the city of Judow. This city was one of those that were given to the lot descendants of Judas and are intended for residence to priests 4.

When the anniversary of the angel, the former Dotole, the progressive Elizaveta, gave birth to John, - the name of Sie Zechariah, he wrote a table with him, "the mouth of Zechariah was sold, his tongue was resolved, and he began to speak, blessed God. Having spared the Holy Spirit, he began to prophesy, saying: "The Lord of the Lord God is Israel that he visited his people and created the deliverance to him, and erect the horn of salvation to us in the house of David, his father-in-law, as the mouths of the saints of His from our enemies and from the hands of all hated us; make mercy with our fathers and will remember the Holy Testament, the oath, who he swore to Abraham, to our father, to give us, notarily, at rid of our enemies, to serve him in holiness and truth Him, in all the days of our life. And you, the baby, you will adopt the Prophet of the Most High, for those who are presented to the Lord to prepare the way to him, give to you to urge the people of their salvation in the forgiveness of their sins, on the landscaped mercy of our God, who visited us east more than, enlighten our sitting In the darkness and shadow of the mortal, send our legs on the path of the world "(LK.1: 68-79).

But the time came when the Lord was born in our Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and the Magitis, who came from the east on the vision of a wonderful star, revived Irod about the newborn Tsar. Then Herod, sent to Bethlehem soldiers, so that they beat all the children, ordered to kill the son of Zechariah, who heard a lot. Orodu was known all the happening during the birth of John; Since all events, who was accompanied by the birth of John, caused fear and amazement among the surrounding inhabitants. All Jews talked about this wonderful events; Solva reached herd. All those who had listened to his heart and said: " what will this baby?"(LK.1: 66). Herod, remembering now about John, thought:" It is not this king of the Judaian? "He wondered to kill him, the king separately sent to the house of Zechariah killers, but the sent did not find St. John. For when it started The godless beating of children in Bethlehem, the moans and the cry were heard in Hebron, the city of Judow, where the priests lived, as he was at the nearby distance from Bethlehem; soon they found out in Hebron of course and about the reason for such a scream. Then holy Elizaveta, taking his son, The Ham of John, who was then a year and a half - fled with him to the mountains. And Saint Zechariah was in Jerusalem at that time, following the ordinary service in order of his own. Having hiding in the mountains, Elizaveta with tears prayed to God to protect her and her Son. Seeing from the mountain warriors, koi thoroughly looking for fugitives and were already not far, she was horrified to the nearest stone mountain: "The Mountain of God, and the mother with his son!" The mountain immediately parted, concluded them in themselves, and thus they took them down from overtaking their kill c. Without finding those who were searched for, sent to anything they returned to the king. Then Herod sent orders to Zecharia to Zharia so that he would give him the Son of his John.

"I serve the Lord God to Israel now," answered the saint Zechariah in Sieya, "and I don't know where my son is now."

The angry Herod immediately sent to him and ordered to kill Zharya himself, if he won't give his son. The fierce killers rushed as beasts, trying to immediately fulfill the command of the king, and with rage shouted the priest of God:

- Where did you hide your son? give us it, because the king commanded that; If you do not give my son, then you will die with a lute death.

On this Saint Zechariah answered:

- My body will kill my body, and my soul will take the Lord.

Then the killers rushed to Zharya and killed him between the church and the altar, as the king commanded them; The sheds of the saint thickened on the marble and opened as a stone in evidence and eternal conviction of Irod; And Elizaveta, stored by God, with his son stayed in a broken mountain. God's command was settled for them there the cave, the source of water was opened, and the palm trees rose over the cave, the fruits were fruitful in abundance. When the mother and son wanted to eat, the tree was inclined, feeding his fruits into the food, and then straightened again.

Soon forty days after the killing of Zechariah, Holy Elizaveta, the mother of the Forerunner, was praised in that cave, and St. John was in charge of an angel to perfect age and keep in the deserts until the day of his phenomenon in Israelis.

Tropear Saint Zechariah, voice 4:

The priesthood of clothing is covered by the wisdom, according to the law of God, the burnt offering is pleasantly sacredly brought Esi Zharya, and there was a lamp and the viewer of the secret, signs in the grace of the grace of clearly Madrem: and the sword was killed in the Temple of God, Christ prophesy with the foregoing moths, to escape our souls.

Kondak, voice 3:

The Prophet and the priest of Vysnyago, Zakharia offer the precession parents, a meal of his memory, returning to the pit, the beings of Bo truth. All dissolving: this is for the sake of the sake of the sake, Yako, the Divine Tyannik of God's grace.

Kondak Svyolia Elisabeth, voice 4:

Yako Luka is full, the light of the truth from the thought of the Sun of the Mesia is the Book of Esia, and in all the predoms of the Lord with Zharya walked Esi, the breeding lovely Elisaveno: worthy of the taste of the Sabi of the Songs of the Songs, all of the Lord's Lord's light. _______________________________________________________________

1 Herod, called the History of the Great, the son of the Antipatra, Tsar Jews, first was the ruler of Galilee, but at the first Roman emperor Octavie Augustus, even before him, in 40 BC, received the title of Jewish king and managed the whole Jews, Which then was subordinate to the Roman state.

2 Word "John" with Greek. means "grace of God"; (Greek. F-Ma \u200b\u200b[Joannes] Heb. named after Iohanan, "Yakhwe gracious").

3 i.e. With the too uncomfortable jealousy and moral might, with which the great jealous jealous was accepted for God, the Prophet Elijah.

4 IIS.Nav.21: 13; 1 Par.6: 65. Hebron was one of the oldest cities of the land of Canaan. It exists and has a job and has up to ten thousand inhabitants who are engaged in trading, barking, breeding fruit gardens and winemaking. The city lies with a thousand feet above Jerusalem in a deep and narrow valley, on both sides of the mountains, in the richly cultivated and fruitful terrain. All neighborhood of the city is covered with oilseeds, pomegranate, figs, pistachio trees; Especially famous for Hebron big and excellent vineyards.

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