Like Jeremiah (1:1) and Ezekiel (1:3), Zechariah was not only a prophet (1:1) but also a member of a priestly family. He was born in Babylonia and was among those who returned to Judah in 538/537 BC under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. (His grandfather Iddo is named among the returnees in Nehemiah 12:4).
At a later time, when Joiakim was high priest, Zechariah apparently succeeded Iddo (1:1,7) as head of that priestly family (Nehemiah 12:10–16). Since the grandson succeeded the grandfather, it has been suggested that his father died at an early age.
Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai (Ezra 5:1; 6:14) but continued his ministry long after him (compare 1:1 and 7:1 with Haggai 1:1; see also Nehemiah 12:1–16). His young age (see 2:4) in the early period of his ministry makes it possible that he ministered even into the reign of Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC).
Most likely Zechariah wrote the entire book that bears his name. Some have questioned his authorship of chs. 9–14, citing differences in style and other compositional features, and giving historical and chronological references that allegedly require a different date and author from those of chs. 1–8. All these objections, however, can be explained in other satisfactory ways, so there is no compelling reason to question the unity of the book.
Adapted from Biblica
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