The function of Zechariah 7–8 within the book of Zechariah

• Main Authors: Yohan Im, Pieter M. Venter
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: AOSIS 2013-10-01
• Series: HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
• Subjects: Zechariah; holistic aspect; sequential discourse; structure
• Online Access: http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/article/view/2009

It is argued that the function of Zechariah 7–8 in the book of Zechariah is central to the issue of the structure of Zechariah. It is proposed that a text-linguistic approach offers a new reading of Zechariah 7–8. It is further proposed that the larger segment of Zechariah 7:1–8:23 is a bridge (a transition from the preceding discourse to the subsequent discourse) that is connected to the prologue in Zechariah 1:1–6 and is developed and expanded in the subsequent discourses. This reading indicates the structure and the overall theme of Zechariah by viewing the book as a sequential discourse. This argument will be defended by studying the structure and the overall theme of Zechariah and emphasising the holistic aspect of the book of Zechariah.