The meaning of 'great mountain' in Zechariah 4:7¹

 

 

Daniel F. O'Kennedy

University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

---

ABSTRACT

The book of Zechariah contains a large amount of visionary material and oracles. Sometimes it is difficult to interpret the different metaphors and symbols used in this material. In most instances these symbols are not explained in the Hebrew text. One of these difficult symbols is the reference to IwdghArh (great mountain) in Zechariah 4:7. The question posed by this article is: what is the real meaning of these words? Scholars have offered different hypotheses to answer this question. The 'mountain' was interpreted inter alia as a fictional mountain; Mount Gerizim; opposite powers or world empires; a specific person or group of persons; and a heap of rubble at the temple site. This article evaluates the different hypotheses and suggests a possible interpretation, namely that it must be understood in a holistic and open-ended way, referring to a 'mountain' of problems or adversity that could range from a heap of temple rubble to hostile powers.

---

 

 

“Full text available only in PDF format”

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Achtemeier, E. 1986. Nahum-Malachi. Atlanta: John Knox Press. (Interpretation.         [ Links ])

Andinach, P. R. 2001. Zacharia, in Eynikel, E. et al. (eds), Internationaal Commentaar op de Bijbel Band 2, 1373-1387. Kampen: Uitgeverij Kok.         [ Links ]

Baldwin, J. G. 1981. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Leicester: IVP. (TOTC.         [ Links ])

Bartlett, A. L. 1994. Die naggesigte van Sagaria: In gesprek met P. D. Hanson. DD Dissertation, University of Pretoria.         [ Links ]

Boda, M. J. 2004. Haggai, Zechariah. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. (NIV Application Commentary.         [ Links ])

Bic, M. 1962. Das Buch Sacharja. Berlin: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt.         [ Links ]

Briant, P. 2002. From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns.         [ Links ]

Brown, W. P. 1996. Obadiah through Malachi. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. (Westminster Bible Companion.         [ Links ])

Bruehler, B. B. Seeing through the |jyny[ of Zechariah: Understanding Zechariah 4. CBQ 63, 430-443.         [ Links ]

Clark, D. J. & Hatton, H. A. 2002. A Handbook on Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.New York: United Bible Societies. (UBS Handbook Series.         [ Links ])

Conrad, E. W. 1999. Zechariah. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press. (Readings: A New Biblical Commentary.         [ Links ]) Craigi, P. C. 1985. Twelve Prophets Volume 2: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press. (The Daily Study Bible Series.         [ Links ])

Curtis, B. G. 2006. Up the Steep and Stony Road: The Book of Zechariah in Social Location Trajectory Analysis. Atlanta: SBL. (Academia Biblica 25.         [ Links ])

Deissler, A. 1988. Zwölf Propheten III. Würzburg: Echter Verlag. (Die Neue Echter Bibel.         [ Links ])

Delkurt, H. 2000. Sacharjas Nachgeschichte: Zur Aufnahme und Abwendlung prophetischer Tradition. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. (BZAW 302.         [ Links ])

Elliger, K. 1959. Das Büch der zwölf Kleinen Propheten, Vol 2. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. (ATD 25.         [ Links ])

Floyd, M. H. 2000. Minor Prophets: Part 2. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. (FOTL 22.         [ Links ])

Galling, K. 1961. Serubbabel und der Wideraufbau des Tempels in Jerusalem, in Kuschke, A. (Hrsg), Jerusalem, Verbannung und Heimkehr: Festschrift für Wilhelm Rudolph zum 70. Geburtstag, 67-96. Tübingen: Mohr.         [ Links ]

_____ 1964. Studien zur Geschichte Israels im persischen Zeithalter. Tübingen: J C B Mohr.         [ Links ]

Graigie, P. C. 1985: Twelve Prophets Vol 2. Philadelphia: Westminster Press. (The Daily Study Bible: Old Testament.         [ Links ])

Hanhart, R. 1998. Dodekapropheton 7.1: Sacharja 1-8. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag. (BK14/7.1.         [ Links ])

Hanson, P. D. 1979. The Dawn of Apocalyptic. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.         [ Links ]

Jones, D. R. 1962. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. London: SCM Press. (Torch Bible Commentaries.         [ Links ])

Kessler, J. 2001. Reconstructing Haggai's Jerusalem: Demographic and Sociological Considerations and the Search for an Adequate Methodological Point of Departure, in Grabbe, L. L. & Haak, R. D. (eds), 'Every City shall be Forsaken': Urbanism and Prophecy in Ancient Israel and the Near East, 137-158. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press.         [ Links ]

Kodell, J. 1982. Lamentations, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Obadiah, Joel, Second Zechariah, Baruch. Wilmington, Delaware: Michael Glazier. (Old Testament Message.         [ Links ])

Laato, A. 1994. Zechariah 4, 6b-10a and the Akkadian Royal Building Inscriptions. ZAW 106, 53-69.         [ Links ]

Lundquist, J. M. 1983. What is a temple? A preliminary typology, in Huffmon, H. B., Spina, F. A. & Green, A. E. W. (eds), The Quest for the Kingdom of God: Studies in Honor of George E Mendenhall, 205-219. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns.         [ Links ]

Merril, E. H. 2003. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: An Exegetical Commentary. L L C: Biblical Studies Press.         [ Links ]

Meyers, C. & Meyers, E. M. 1987. Haggai, Zechariah 1-8. New York: Doubleday. (AB 25B.         [ Links ])

_____ 1993. Zechariah 9-14. New York: Doubleday. (AB 25C.         [ Links ])

Miller, J. M. & Hayes, J. H. 1986. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.         [ Links ]

O'Brein, J. M. 2004. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Nashville: Abingdon Press. (Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries.         [ Links ])

O'Kennedy, D. F. 2003. Zechariah 3-4: Core of Proto-Zechariah. OTE 16/2, 370-388.         [ Links ]

Ollenberger, B. C. 1996. The Book of Zechariah, in Keck, L. E. et al. (eds), The New Interpreter's Bible Vol 7, 735-745. Nashville: Abingdon Press.         [ Links ]

Petersen, D. L. 1985. Haggai and Zechariah 1-8. London: SCM Press. (OTL.         [ Links ])

Phillips, R. R. 2007. Zechariah. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing Company. (Reformed Expository Commentary.         [ Links ])

Pritchard, J. B. (ed.) 1969. The Ancient Near East: Supplementary texts and pictures relating to the Old Testament. Princeton: Princeton University Press.         [ Links ]

Redditt, P. L. 1995. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. (NCB.         [ Links ])

Reventlow, H. G. 1993. Die Propheten Haggai, Sacharja und Maleachi. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. (ATD 25/2.         [ Links ])

Rignell, L. G. 1950. Die Nachgesichte des Sacharja. Lund: Gleerup.         [ Links ]

Robinson, T. H. & Horst, F. 1938. Die Zwölf Kleinen Propheten. Tubingen: J C B Mohr. (Handbuch zum Alten Testament 14.         [ Links ])

Rost, L. 1951. Bemerkungen zu Sacharja 4. ZAW 63, 216-221.         [ Links ]

Rudolph, W. 1976. Haggai - Sacharja 1-8 - Sacharja 9-14 - Malachi. Gütersloh: Mohn. (KAT 13.         [ Links ])

Sellin, E. 1930. Das Zwölfprophetenbuch. Leipzig: A Deichertsche Verlagsbuchhandlung. (KAT.         [ Links ])

_____ 1931. Der Stein des Sacharja. JBL 50, 242-249.         [ Links ]

_____ 1942/43. Noch einmal der Stein des Sacharja. ZAW 48, 59-77.         [ Links ]

Smith, R. L. 1984. Micah-Malachi. Waco, Texas: Word Books. (WBC 32.         [ Links ])

Stuhlmueller, C. 1988. Haggai and Zechariah. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. (ITC.         [ Links ])

Sweeney, M. A. 2000. The twelve prophets Vol 2. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press. (Berit Olam.         [ Links ])

Tollington, J. E. 1993. Tradition and Innovation in Haggai and Zechariah 1-8. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press. (JSOT Sup 150.         [ Links ])

Van der Merwe, C. H. J., Naudé, J. A. & Kroeze, J. H. 1997. Bybels-Hebreeuse naslaangrammatika Volume 1. Stellenbosch: Werkgroep vir Bybelse Hebreeus.         [ Links ]

Van der Woude, A. S. 1984. Zacharia. Nijkerk: G F Callenbach. (POT.         [ Links ])

_____ 1988. Zion as Primeval Stone in Zechariah 3 and 4, in Claassen, W. T. (ed.), Text and context: Studies for F. C. Fensham, 237-238. Sheffield: JSOT. (JSOT Sup 48.         [ Links ])

Willi-Plein, I. 2002. Haggai, Sacharja und Maleachi. Draft of commentary to be published in Züricher Bibelkommentare. (ZBK.         [ Links ])

 

Correspondence:
Daniel F. O'Kennedy
PO Box 337, Somerset West, 7129, Republic of South Africa
E-mail: danieok@nghelder.co.za