Ten Words

Zechariah 7-8 form a unit, enclosed by references to fasting (7:4-7; 8:18-23) , within which Zechariah reviews the warnings of the early prophets about Israel’s social injustices (7:9-14; 8:14-17).

Chapter 8 includes two major speeches, marked by the phrase “the word of Yahweh of hosts” (8:1, 18), but within that large structure are a series of smaller speeches marked by “thus says Yahweh of hosts.”

There are ten short speeches in that section, Ten Words from the Lord who came with His myriad hosts to Sinai.  Zechariah is announcing a new covenant, unlike the old covenant, a covenant of Ten Promises that will fulfill the Ten Commandments.