Zechariah NICOT Review

Author
Mark J. Boda is Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College, where
he has taught for the past thirteen years. He is the author of nine books, the editor of 17
more, and has also published over 100 articles. His areas of expertise includes the
theology of repentance, the history and literature of the Persian period, and the prophetic
literature. Additionally, Boda has worked in and preached Zechariah from the earliest
days of his seminary education. These facts have made him an obvious choice to write a
commentary on Zechariah. The NICOT entry represents Boda's second Zechariah
commentary. He had previously authored the NIV Application Commentary on
Haggai/Zechariah.

Organization
Boda's commentary is standard fare for the NICOT series. The other entries to
this series can be used as a reference point to get the idea of what to expect as far as
format goes. The commentary opens with a 45 page introduction to orient the new reader
to Zechariah. This section covers issues of textual history, referential history,
composition, literary form, structure, inner-biblical illusions, and a survey of the major
themes addressed.
The rest of the book is devoted to the commentary proper. Zechariah is divided
into four main thematic sections based on introductory formulas employed. These main
sections are further divided according to various types of units: vision reports, oracles, or
sermons. Each major section opens with a discussion of specific issues that will be
encountered. More detailed looks at composition history, themes, and inner-biblical
allusions abound in these introductions. Each vision report, sermon, or oracle is broken
up into manageable chunks of text. The text itself is presented in Boda's translation,
followed by commentary on units of 1-3 verses at a time. Text-critical and translational
issues are dealt with in footnotes immediately under the translation. The comments are
reserved for exegesis, historical context, and theological reflection.

Views on Composition
Boda views Zechariah as the result of a redactor working to bring together varied
material. Zechariah 1-8 and 9-14 are taken to be two main works. These two halves are
themselves viewed as compilations produced by separate individuals or groups. At an
early point Zechariah 1-8 and 9-14 were then brought together and unified into the
present final form of Zechariah. Boda's section on the compositional history provides a
detailed catalogue of lexical and conceptual links across Zechariah. These connections
are especially helpful for the interpreter to keep in mind as they go about developing a
theology of Zechariah. However it is not as clear whether or not Boda's conclusions
about the separate origins of various sections of Zechariah will be as convincing to
evangelical readers.
Strengths
Boda's expertise on Zechariah is apparent. He interacts in great detail with the
scholarly literature. This is done in a way that is not overbearing. Relevant studies are
consulted and occasionally refuted, as Boda does not shy away from bringing up work
that disagrees with his own conclusions.
Of particular interest in the initial chapter is what Boda calls the "referential
history." This is his section on the historical events and situations surrounding the
message of the book. Boda's discussion is a useful summary and overview of this
particular period in biblical history, covering the Babylonian Period (586 BC and
onward) up to 420 BC. It is not dry, as many similar historical discussions can often be,
and it is not overly technical. It would function as a great primer for any pastor planning
to preach/teach from a text from the same time period (Zechariah, Haggai, Malachi, Ezra-
Nehemiah, Chronicles, etc).
Boda treats Zechariah as a unified whole. He sees a clear compositional process
which arrived at the book as we now possess it as well as a close connection between the
two halves of Zechariah 1-8 and 9-14. In order to properly interpret each part, they need
to be read in light of each other. The critical consensus has been to separate the two to
such a decree that they are treated independently in interpretation. Those who take the
later route tend to date the parts to vastly different time periods. However, Boda dates
both parts to the same time period (early Persian). Boda's interpretational strategy is to
treat the book primarily from the point of view of the audience of the final product, and
not any individual portion divorced from its current canonical context.

How to Read
Boda's commentary is not the type you would turn to look up a quick solution to a
grammatical or textual problem. Boda's format, style, and focus on integrated
interpretation make it more conducive to reading whole sections at a time. Longer
stretches of reading will be how one really benefits from the fruit of Boda's efforts.
The nature of the commentary is scholarly but not overly technical. Hebrew is
employed in transliteration and discussed often, but the volume is not primarily a
linguistic commentary. Nor is it an applicational commentary. Boda does not devote
space to "bridging the gap" and connecting Zechariah's message to the modern concerns
of the reader. The sections on inner-biblical allusion and major themes are good for
fitting Zechariah conceptually into a biblical theology in preparation for
preaching/teaching.
The commentary on each verse is substantial. Most details are covered
thoroughly. Boda's long period of personal study really shines in this area.
Commentaries which comments on verse groupings can often be sparse on the details.
Though at times Boda deals with verses in small groups, for the most part he treats
individual verses. The reader almost never feels like an issue is skipped. Often times the
commentary will be up to 10 pages for a single verse.
 Due to factors such as the terminology employed, the use of Hebrew, and
reference to scholarly literature, NICOT Zechariah will not be accessible to a layperson.
However, I highly recommend this resource to students, pastors, and scholars. I have
already made good use of this commentary in sermon prep.