Book of Haggai: Persian Period Prophets

Question 1

539 BCE

Answer 1

Medo-Persian Empire takes Babylon

Question 2

536 BCE

Answer 2

Decree of Cyrus, King of Persia

Question 3

516/515 BCE

Answer 3

2nd Temple built, (second temple Judaism); end point the destruction of the temple by the Romans

Question 4

What prophetic books or sections most likely fall in the Persian Period?

Answer 4

Haggai and Malachi, Zechariah

Question 5

Who are Zerubbabel and Joshua and what are their roles in Haggai and Zechariah?

Answer 5

Zerubbabel may have been the Governor (civil leader)

Joshua may have been the High Priest ( religious leader)

Question 6

Who is the Persian king who decrees the Jews can return home and rebuild their temple?

Answer 6

King Darius

Question 7

Who is the Persian king during the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah?

Answer 7

King Darius

Question 8

What are the historical realities that lie behind Haggai/Zechariah and what type of literature does Petersen believe Haggai is?

Answer 8

• Persian Period- a non-semitic people now ruling the people of God
• No descendant of David on the throne except for Zerubabbel, he is being pressured to be the King
• Petersen: “brief historical account”

Question 9

What is the principle concern of Haggai?

Answer 9

Rebuilding the Temple, and later on having a son of David on the Throne

Question 10

What is the point of Haggai 2:10-14?

Answer 10

In this story, people who touch dead things have now defiled everything

Question 11

What is probable meaning of the phrase, “from this day on” in Haggai 2?

Answer 11

this phrase means the re-dedication of the temple, and from that point on, the Lord will bless you.

Question 12

What is the significance of the phrases “my servant” , “signet ring” and “chosen” with reference to Zerubbabel?

Answer 12

• my servant; he wants him to serve God by helping the people
• signet ring: a ring meant for a King; its purpose is to seal envelopes
• chosen; he feels that bc Zerubbabel is a son of David then he is meant to rule the nation

Question 13

What is Zechariah’s point with reference to the “forefathers” in 1:1-6?

Answer 13

To prevent the people from falling back into the bad habits of their ancestors

Question 14

What are the four Interesting Features of Night Visions?

Answer 14

• Angelic intermediary- more like Daniel that Isaiah and Jeremiah
• The rebuilding of the Temple
• The purification of the Land and the People (need for cleansing)
• the dual leadership of Joshua and Zerubabbel

Question 15

How many crowns in Zech 6:9-15 and what is the point of this passage?

Answer 15

It is thought of to have both 2 crowns, scholars are trying to figure out if refers to Zerubabbel or Joshua, or ever both. The point is, both of these men will have to learn to get along to rule a nation peacefully.

Question 16

What constitutes true religion according to Zech 7:1-10? What controversy prompted this discussion?

Answer 16

Show mercy and compassion, take care of the widows and the orphans. The dates on the festivals will take care of themselves if the leaders just focus on spreading justice.

Question 17

What do Zechariah 8:4-5 and Isaiah 65:20 share in common?

Answer 17

they both discuss the kingdom of God on Earth

Question 18

What is the meaning of the word Massah and where does it appear in Zechariah/Malachi?

Answer 18

Massah= Burden

appears in 9:1, 9:12, and Malachi 1:1

Question 19

How does Massah impact our understanding of the possible literary relationship btw Zech 9-14 and Malachi?

Answer 19

the literary relationship explains the amount of responsibility it takes to become a King, and to take care of his people

Question 20

What does Zechariah 9:9-11 have to say about the king who comes to Jerusalem?

Answer 20

He says that he wants a King that is peaceful rather than forceful

Question 21

What is the meaning of Zechariah 11:4-15? Note the role of the staffs and the thirty pieces of silver.

Answer 21

30 pieces of silver.

• two staffs and one favor
• Union
• he takes the staff and breaks them, breaking the union and the brotherhood of Jerusalem, a failed attempt at uniting Syria and God.

Question 22

what are 3 interpretations of the person who was stabbed or pierced?

Answer 22

1) Christological interpretation-Jesus
2) Murder or execution of a figure over a conflict in post-exilic community
3) The rejection of true prophets throughout Israel’s history

Question 23

What are the four interpretations of Zech 13:1-6 and the cessation of prophecy?

Answer 23

1) Prophecy as an institution has fallen into disrepute
2) Zechariah 13:2-6 is referring only to false prophets
3) The phrase “on that day” suggests an eschatological time when prophets would no longer be necessary
4) the office of prophets is changing from a charasmatic proclaimers to interpreters of scripture. Spirit vs. Word.

Question 24

What holy day plays a special role in Zechariah’s understanding of the Day of the Lord?

Answer 24

Feast of Tabernacles

• a fall festival that influenced coming back from exile
• the changing of calendars was influenced by harvest in fall and rebirth in the spring time