Zec 8:9-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Zech 8:9-13: 8:9-13 This section highlights the reversal of Jerusalem’s fortunes as the Temple was rebuilt (cp. 2 Chr 15:3-7 ). The exhortation to be strong (Zech 8:9 , 13 ) is an inclusio (a set of rhetorical bookends) for the section. 8:9 Laying of the foundation refers to Zerubbabel’s and Jeshua’s initial work of rebuilding the Temple in 536 BC (Ezra 3:8-13 ). The Temple reconstruction project was quickly abandoned and was not resumed until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prompted it sixteen years later (Ezra 5:1-2 ; Hag 1:1 ).

Summary for Zech 8:9-13: 8:9-13 ^a This section highlights the reversal of Jerusalem’s fortunes as the Temple was rebuilt (cp. 2 Chr 15:3-7 ^b). The exhortation to be strong (Zech 8:9 ^c, 13 ^d) is an inclusio (a set of rhetorical bookends) for the section. 8:9 ^e Laying of the foundation refers to Zerubbabel’s and Jeshua’s initial work of rebuilding the Temple in 536 BC (Ezra 3:8-13 ^f). The Temple reconstruction project was quickly abandoned and was not resumed until the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prompted it sixteen years later (Ezra 5:1-2 ^g; Hag 1:1 ^h).
8:10 ⁱ enemies: The neighboring peoples opposed the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 4 ^j). Later, enemies opposed Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem (Neh 4 ^k).
8:12 ^l Peace (Hebrew shalom) is an important theme underlying Zechariah’s message (8:10 ^m, 12 ⁿ, 16 ^o, 19 ^p). God’s presence in the rebuilt Temple would bring peace to Judah (see Hag 2:6-9 ^q). Zechariah uses the agricultural cycle to represent God’s blessing (see Hag 2:18-19 ^r), which would reverse the drought conditions that Haggai described (Hag 1:10 ^s).

• The small community that returned to Judah from exile was called the remnant. Theologically, the remnant is a bridge between God’s punishment and his promised restoration (see Hag 1:12 ^t, 14 ^u).