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« A Prayer of Supplication: Psalm 6 | Main | Come, Let us Walk in the Light of the Lord: Isa 1:21–2:5 »

On the Interpretation of Zechariah 9:9

    Does awareness of the way ancient Hebrew poetry works contribute to a better understanding of texts whose interpretation remains controversial?

    I believe it does. Zechariah 9:9 has been interpreted in terms of a larger Messianic hope by Jews from the Second Temple period to the present. Christians have understood it to have been fulfilled by Jesus when he entered Jerusalem before going to his death.

    In the essay below, I show that later interpretation sometimes got the sense of the original about right, and sometimes did not.

    For comments on this post in the blogosphere, visit englishbibles.blogspot.com and www.biblische.blogspot.com. The post was last revised March 13, 2008.

Go here.

January 07, 2007 |

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Stephen L. Cook

Hi John, Thanks very much for this; I enjoyed reading the essay! I wonder if you have any thoughts on the significance that the figure is "lowly"? It is quite striking, no? --Stephen C.

Posted by: Stephen L. Cook | January 07, 2007 at 11:51 AM

JohnFH

Hi Stephen,

It is regrettably true that a self-effacing leader comes close to being an oxymoron, even if we appreciate the trait in leaders who have it (think Abe Lincoln and Gerald Ford).

According to Zech 9:9, the hoped-for king will refrain from self-aggrandizing behavior. The king's choice of a donkey as his mount is emblematic of the fact. The king chooses to be lowly, and for that reason, one may assume, he will enjoy God's favor and the people's acclaim.

I added a couple of paragraphs to the original post in which I explore the significance of the term "lowly" in Zech 9:9 more fully. I trust they will encounter your approval.

Posted by: JohnFH | January 08, 2007 at 12:32 AM

Stephen L. Cook

John, Thanks so much for taking the trouble to add these notes. I shall try to add a link to them on my site. Peace, ---Stephen

Posted by: Stephen L. Cook | January 08, 2007 at 09:21 AM

JohnFH

Hi Stephen again,

In response to a request from another correspondent, I have added a couple of paragraphs on another text, Genesis 49:11.

Congratulations on your site, by the way. You are clearly a gentleman's scholar.

Posted by: JohnFH | January 08, 2007 at 10:40 AM

Stephen L. Cook

John, I'm so glad that we've connected. I'm linking to this post and adding your blog to my site's blog list (as soon as I remember the secret code for doing so). Thanks! ---SLC

Posted by: Stephen L. Cook | January 09, 2007 at 07:14 AM

Chris

Hi John, I would love to read your essay on Zech 9:9. The link is no longer working. Do you still have the essay available?

Thanks.

Posted by: Chris | August 23, 2008 at 04:18 PM

JohnFH

Thanks, Chris, for noting the problem, and for your fine blogging.

The problem is fixed now.

Posted by: JohnFH | August 23, 2008 at 05:08 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

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  • Ancient Hebrew Poetry is a weblog of John F. Hobbins. Opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of his professional affiliations. Unless otherwise indicated, the contents of Ancient Hebrew Poetry, including all text, images, and other media, are original and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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