The Watchtower Society's commentary on the book of Zechariah.

ZECHARIAH, BOOK OF

This book of the Hebrew Scriptures identifies its writer as “Zechariah the son of Berechiah the son of Iddo the prophet.” (Zec 1:1) It also provides a basis for establishing the time period covered and an approximate date for the composition. The last time indicator found in the book of Zechariah is the fourth day of Chislev in the fourth year of Darius’ reign (about December 1, 518 B.C.E.). (7:1) Accordingly, this book could not have been committed to writing before the close of 518 B.C.E. Since it was in the “eighth month in the second year of Darius” (October/November 520 B.C.E.) that “the word of Jehovah occurred to Zechariah” (1:1), the book covers a period of at least two years.

From chapter 9 onward the subject matter found in the book of Zechariah appears to differ considerably from the earlier section. No further reference is made to angels and visions or to Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua. There is no mention of the temple-rebuilding work, and not even the name of Zechariah appears. In view of this and the nature of the prophecies contained in the latter chapters of the book, a number of critics maintain that this section could not have been written by Zechariah. However, it should be noted that Zechariah, like other prophets, wrote according to divine inspiration and did not receive all revelations at the same time or in the same manner. (2Pe 1:20, 21) Also, prophecies did not have to fit within a particular framework of existing circumstances and incorporate the name of the prophet or of some of his contemporaries for an entire book to be the work of the prophet. That the book of Zechariah forms one harmonious whole, instead of consisting of separate and unrelated parts recorded by different writers, is evident from the thoughts expressed therein. Throughout, the book highlights that Jerusalem would be restored and that Jehovah would come to the defense of the city.—Zec 1:13-21; 2:4, 5; 8:14-23; 9:11-17; 12:2-6; 14:3-21.

Historical Background. About February 9, 519 B.C.E., the prophet Zechariah heard the words: “The whole earth is sitting still and having no disturbance.” (Zec 1:7, 11) At that time Jerusalem was not a disturbing factor to the nations, but it appeared to observers that Jehovah had forsaken the city. Although the temple’s foundation had been laid in 536 B.C.E., the rebuilding work made slow progress on account of enemy opposition and finally, in 522 B.C.E., came under an official ban. (Ezr 4:4, 5, 24) Additionally, plagued by droughts and crop failures because of having neglected the temple rebuilding work, the repatriated Jews found themselves in very difficult circumstances. (Hag 1:6, 10, 11) They needed encouragement to continue the construction work despite mountainous obstacles.

Jehovah’s words, through Zechariah, must therefore have been a real source of comfort and inspiration to them. The visions seen by Zechariah clearly showed that it was the divine will for Jerusalem and its temple to be rebuilt. (Zec 1:16; chap 2) The power of the nations that had dispersed Judah would be shattered. (1:18-21) High Priest Joshua would gain an acceptable appearance before Jehovah (3:3-7), and Governor Zerubbabel would, with the help of God’s spirit, finish rebuilding the temple.—4:6-9.

Agreement With Other Bible Books. The book of Zechariah is in complete harmony with the rest of the Scriptures in identifying Jehovah as the Protector of his people. (Zec 2:5; compare De 33:27; Ps 46:11; 125:2.) He rewards or punishes individuals or nations according to their dealings and returns to those who repentantly return to him. (Zec 1:2-6; 7:11-14; compare Isa 55:6, 7; Jer 25:4-11; Eze 33:11; Mal 3:7; 2Pe 3:9.) Jehovah requires that those who desire his favor must speak truth and manifest obedience, justice, loving-kindness, and mercy. (Zec 7:7-10; 8:16, 17; compare De 24:17; Ps 15:1, 2; 82:3, 4; Pr 12:19; Jer 7:5, 6; Eph 4:25.) He does not respond to calls for aid from those who do not obey him.—Zec 7:13; compare Isa 1:15; La 3:42-44.

Also, noteworthy similarities are readily apparent by comparing passages in Zechariah with other scriptures.—Compare Zec 3:2 with Jude 9; Zec 4:3, 11-14 with Re 11:4; Zec 4:10 with Re 5:6; Zec 8:8 with Re 21:3; Zec 14:5 with Jude 14; Zec 14:7 with Re 21:25; Zec 14:8 with Re 22:1, 17.

Fulfillment of Prophecy. The fulfillment of prophecies recorded in the book of Zechariah testifies to its authenticity. What is known about Alexander the Great’s campaign in Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia, including the conquest of Tyre and Gaza, fits the words of Zechariah 9:1-8 and, therefore, can be understood as a fulfillment of this prophecy. Numerous other prophecies contained in the book of Zechariah find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus—his entry into Jerusalem as king, “humble, and riding upon an ass” (Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5; Joh 12:15), his betrayal for “thirty silver pieces” (Zec 11:12, 13; Mt 26:15; 27:9), the subsequent scattering of his disciples (Zec 13:7; Mt 26:31; Mr 14:27), Jesus’ being pierced with a spear while on the stake (Zec 12:10; Joh 19:34, 37), and his role as King-Priest (Zec 6:12, 13; Heb 6:20; 8:1; 10:21).

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HIGHLIGHTS OF ZECHARIAH

  Prophetic messages encouraging the Jews to resume temple rebuilding, also providing foregleams of the Messiah’s coming and his rule as King-Priest

  Written by Zechariah during the reign of Persian King Darius I, about 19 years after the first Jews arrived home from Babylon in 537 B.C.E.

A call to repentance, followed by eight visions and a prophecy about “Sprout” (1:1–6:15)

  First vision: A rider on a red horse standing with three other horsemen among the myrtle trees; the vision concludes with an assurance that Jerusalem will be shown mercy and the temple rebuilt

  Second vision: The four horns that dispersed Judah are cast down by four craftsmen

  Third vision: A young man with a measuring rope prepares to measure Jerusalem, but an angel foretells more growth as well as Jehovah’s protection for the city

  Fourth vision: High Priest Joshua’s befouled garments are removed and replaced with robes of state

  Fifth vision: Zechariah sees a gold lampstand with seven lamps supplied with oil from two olive trees; Zerubbabel will complete the temple rebuilding with the help of God’s spirit

  Sixth vision: A flying scroll represents the curse going forth because of all those stealing and those swearing falsely in Jehovah’s name

  Seventh vision: A woman named Wickedness is transported in an ephah measure to Shinar

  Eighth vision: Four chariots proceed from between two copper mountains to move about in the earth

  The man named Sprout will build Jehovah’s temple and serve as king-priest

Question about the observance of fasts commemorating the calamities that befell Jerusalem (7:1–8:23)

  Calamities came as punishment for disobedience; fasting in commemoration of these was not really done to Jehovah

  Jerusalem will enjoy divine favor; the former days of fasting will be transformed into “an exultation and a rejoicing and good festal seasons”; many from the nations will come to her to seek Jehovah’s favor

Judgment upon nations, Messianic prophecies, and the restoration of God’s people (9:1–14:21)

  Many cities and nations will experience Jehovah’s adverse judgment

  Zion’s righteous, humble King will come into the city on an ass

  Jehovah expresses anger against the false shepherds

  The scattered people of God will be brought out of Egypt and Assyria

  Zechariah is called to be a shepherd; the people are given an opportunity to pay for his work, and they value it at 30 silver pieces

  Jerusalem will become a burdensome stone that severely scratches anyone tampering with it

  A well will be opened for cleansing from sin; the shepherd will be struck, and the sheep will be scattered

  Jerusalem will come under attack, but Jehovah will war against the aggressors

  Those remaining out of the attacking nations will celebrate the Festival of Booths each year, bowing down before Jehovah as King

Zechariah1-7NWT(2013 Edition)

1 In the eighth month in the second year of Da·ri′us,+ the word of Jehovah came to the prophet Zech·a·ri′ah*+ son of Ber·e·chi′ah son of Id′do, saying: 2 “Jehovah grew greatly indignant at your fathers.+

3 “Say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies says: “‘Return to me,’ declares Jehovah of armies, ‘and I will return to you,’+ says Jehovah of armies.”’

4 “‘Do not become like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed: “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Turn away,* please, from your evil ways and your evil deeds.’”’+

“‘But they did not listen, and they paid no attention to me,’+ declares Jehovah.

5 “‘Where are your fathers now? And did the prophets live forever? 6 However, my words and my decrees that I commanded my servants, the prophets, caught up with your fathers, did they not?’+ So they returned to me and said: ‘Jehovah of armies has dealt with us according to our ways and our deeds, just as he had determined to do.’”+

7 On the 24th day of the 11th month, that is, the month of She′bat,* in the second year of Da·ri′us,+ the word of Jehovah came to the prophet Zech·a·ri′ah son of Ber·e·chi′ah son of Id′do, saying: 8 “I saw a vision in the night. There was a man riding on a red horse, and he stood still among the myrtle trees in the ravine; and behind him there were red, reddish-brown, and white horses.”

9 So I said: “Who are these, my lord?”

The angel who was speaking with me replied: “I will show you who these are.”

10 Then the man who was standing still among the myrtle trees said: “These are the ones whom Jehovah has sent out to walk about in the earth.” 11 And they said to the angel of Jehovah who was standing among the myrtle trees: “We have walked about in the earth, and look! the whole earth is quiet and undisturbed.”+

12 So the angel of Jehovah said: “O Jehovah of armies, how long will you withhold your mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah,+ with whom you have been indignant these 70 years?”+

13 Jehovah answered the angel who was speaking with me, with kind and comforting words. 14 Then the angel who was speaking with me told me: “Call out, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies says: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great zeal.+ 15 With great indignation I am indignant with the nations that are at ease,+ because I felt indignant to a small extent,+ but they added to the calamity.”’+

16 “Therefore this is what Jehovah says: ‘“I will return to Jerusalem with mercy,+ and my own house will be built in her,”+ declares Jehovah of armies, “and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.”’+

17 “Call out once more and say, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies says: “My cities will again overflow with goodness; and Jehovah will again comfort Zion+ and again choose Jerusalem.”’”+

18 Then I looked up and saw four horns.+ 19 So I asked the angel who was speaking with me: “What are these?” He replied: “These are the horns that dispersed Judah,+ Israel,+ and Jerusalem.”+

20 Jehovah then showed me four craftsmen. 21 I asked: “What are these coming to do?”

He said: “These are the horns that dispersed Judah to such an extent that no one was able to raise his head. These others will come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations that lifted up their horns against the land of Judah, in order to disperse her.”

2 And I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line+ in his hand. 2 So I asked: “Where are you going?”

He replied: “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is her width and what is her length.”+

3 And look! the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel came to meet him. 4 Then he said to him: “Run over there and tell that young man, ‘“Jerusalem will be inhabited+ as open rural country,* because of all the men and livestock within her.+ 5 And I will become to her,” declares Jehovah, “a wall of fire all around,+ and I will become the glory in her midst.”’”+

6 “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,”+ declares Jehovah.

“For I have scattered you to the four winds of the heavens,”+ declares Jehovah.

7 “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon.+ 8 For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified* has sent me to the nations that were plundering you:+ ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye.*+ 9 For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’+ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me.

10 “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion;+ for I am coming,+ and I will reside in your midst,”+ declares Jehovah. 11 “Many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day,+ and they will become my people; and I will reside in your midst.” And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies has sent me to you. 12 Jehovah will take possession of Judah as his portion on the holy ground, and he will again choose Jerusalem.+ 13 Be silent, all flesh,* before Jehovah, for he is taking action from his holy dwelling.

 

3 And he showed me Joshua+ the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan+ was standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 Then the angel of Jehovah said to Satan: “May Jehovah rebuke you, O Satan,+ yes, may Jehovah, who has chosen Jerusalem,+ rebuke you! Is not this one a burning log snatched out of the fire?”

3 Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4 The angel said to those standing before him, “Remove his filthy garments.” Then he said to him, “See, I have caused your error* to pass away from you, and you will be clothed with fine garments.”*+

5 So I said: “Let a clean turban be put on his head.”+ And they put the clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments; and the angel of Jehovah was standing nearby. 6 The angel of Jehovah then declared to Joshua: 7 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘If you will walk in my ways and carry out your responsibilities before me, then you will serve as a judge in my house+ and take care of* my courtyards; and I will give you free access among these who are standing here.’

8 “‘Hear, please, O High Priest Joshua, you and your companions who sit before you, for these men serve as a sign; look! I am bringing in my servant+ Sprout!+ 9 See the stone that I have set before Joshua! On the one stone are seven eyes; and I am engraving an inscription on it,’ declares Jehovah of armies, ‘and I will take away the guilt of that land in one day.’+

10 “‘In that day,’ declares Jehovah of armies, ‘Each of you will invite your neighbor to come under your vine and under your fig tree.’”+

 

 

4 The angel who had been speaking with me came back and woke me up, as when waking someone from sleep. 2 Then he said to me: “What do you see?”

So I said: “I see, and look! a lampstand entirely of gold,+ with a bowl on top of it. There are seven lamps on it,+ yes, seven, and the lamps, which are at the top of it, have seven pipes. 3 And next to it are two olive trees,+ one on the right of the bowl and one on the left.”

4 Then I asked the angel who was speaking with me: “What do these things mean, my lord?” 5 So the angel who was speaking with me asked: “Do you not know what these things mean?”

I replied: “No, my lord.”

6 He then said to me: “This is the word of Jehovah to Ze·rub′ba·bel: ‘“Not by a military force, nor by power,+ but by my spirit,”+ says Jehovah of armies. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Ze·rub′ba·bel+ you will become a level land.*+ And he will bring out the top stone* amid shouts of: “How wonderful! How wonderful!”’”

8 The word of Jehovah again came to me, saying: 9 “The hands of Ze·rub′ba·bel have laid the foundation of this house,+ and his own hands will finish it.+ And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies has sent me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small beginnings?*+ For they will rejoice and see the plumb line* in the hand of Ze·rub′ba·bel. These seven are the eyes of Jehovah, which are roving about in all the earth.”+

11 Then I asked him: “What is the meaning of these two olive trees on the right and on the left of the lampstand?”+ 12 I asked him a second time: “What is the meaning of the two bunches of twigs* of the olive trees that are pouring out the golden liquid through the two golden tubes?”

13 So he asked me: “Do you not know what these things mean?”

I replied: “No, my lord.”

14 He said: “These are the two anointed ones who are standing alongside the Lord of the whole earth.”+

 

 

5 Again I looked up, and I saw a flying scroll. 2 He asked me: “What do you see?”

I replied: “I see a flying scroll, which is 20 cubits* long and 10 cubits wide.”

3 Then he said to me: “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the earth, because everyone who steals,+ as written on its one side, has gone unpunished; and everyone who makes a sworn oath,+ as written on its other side, has gone unpunished. 4 ‘I have sent it out,’ declares Jehovah of armies, ‘and it will enter into the house of the thief and into the house of the one who makes a false oath in my name; and it will remain inside that house and consume it and its timbers and its stones.’”

5 Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and said to me: “Look up, please, and see what is going out.”

6 So I asked: “What is it?”

He replied: “This is the e′phah container* that is going out.” He continued: “This is their appearance in all the earth.” 7 And I saw that the round lid of lead was lifted up, and there was a woman sitting inside the container. 8 So he said: “This is Wickedness.” Then he threw her back into the e′phah container, after which he thrust the lead weight over its mouth.

9 Then I looked up and saw two women coming forward, and they were soaring in the wind. They had wings like the wings of a stork. And they lifted up the container between the earth and heaven. 10 So I asked the angel who was speaking with me: “Where are they taking the e′phah container?”

11 He replied: “To the land of Shi′nar*+ to build her a house; and when it is prepared, she will be deposited there in her proper place.”

 

6 Then I looked up again and saw four chariots coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were of copper. 2 The first chariot had red horses, and the second chariot, black horses.+ 3 The third chariot had white horses, and the fourth chariot, speckled and dappled horses.+

4 I asked the angel who was speaking with me: “What are these, my lord?”

5 The angel answered me: “These are the four spirits+ of the heavens that are going out after having taken their station before the Lord of the whole earth.+ 6 The one* with the black horses is going out to the land of the north;+ the white ones are going out beyond the sea; and the speckled ones are going out to the land of the south. 7 And the dappled ones were eager to go out to walk about through the earth.” Then he said: “Go, walk about through the earth.” And they began walking about through the earth.

8 He then called out to me and said: “See, those going out to the land of the north have caused the spirit of Jehovah to rest in the land of the north.”

9 The word of Jehovah again came to me, saying: 10 “Take from Hel′dai, To·bi′jah, and Je·da′iah what they brought from the people in exile; and on that day, you must go to the house of Jo·si′ah the son of Zeph·a·ni′ah along with these who have come from Babylon. 11 You should take silver and gold and make a crown* and put it on the head of Joshua+ son of Je·hoz′a·dak, the high priest. 12 And say to him,

“‘This is what Jehovah of armies says: “Here is the man whose name is Sprout.+ He will sprout from his own place, and he will build the temple of Jehovah.+ 13 He is the one who will build the temple of Jehovah, and he is the one who will assume the majesty. He will sit down on his throne and rule, and he will also be a priest on his throne,+ and there will be a peaceable agreement between the two.* 14 And the crown* will serve as a memorial* for He′lem, To·bi′jah, Je·da′iah,+ and Hen the son of Zeph·a·ni′ah, in the temple of Jehovah. 15 And those who are far away will come and take part in building the temple of Jehovah.” And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies has sent me to you. And it will occur—if you do not fail to listen to the voice of Jehovah your God.’”

 

 

7 And in the fourth year of King Da·ri′us, the word of Jehovah came to Zech·a·ri′ah+ on the fourth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chis′lev.* 2 The people of Beth′el sent Shar·e′zer and Re′gem-mel′ech and his men to beg for the favor* of Jehovah, 3 saying to the priests of the house* of Jehovah of armies and to the prophets: “Should I weep in the fifth month+ and abstain from food, as I have done for so many years?”

4 The word of Jehovah of armies again came to me, saying: 5 “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and wailed in the fifth month and in the seventh month+ for 70 years,+ did you really fast for me? 6 And when you would eat and drink, were you not eating for yourselves and drinking for yourselves? 7 Should you not obey the words that Jehovah proclaimed through the former prophets,+ while Jerusalem and her surrounding cities were inhabited and at peace, and while the Neg′eb and the She·phe′lah were inhabited?’”

8 The word of Jehovah again came to Zech·a·ri′ah, saying: 9 “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Judge with true justice,+ and deal with one another in loyal love+ and mercy. 10 Do not defraud the widow or the fatherless child,*+ the foreigner+ or the poor;+ and do not scheme evil against one another in your hearts.’+ 11 But they kept refusing to pay attention,+ and they stubbornly turned their backs,+ and they stopped up their ears so as not to hear.+ 12 They made their heart like a diamond*+ and would not obey the law* and the words that Jehovah of armies sent by his spirit through the former prophets.+ So there came great indignation from Jehovah of armies.”+

13 “‘Just as they did not listen when I* called,+ so I would not listen when they called,’+ says Jehovah of armies. 14 ‘And I scattered them with a storm wind throughout all the nations that they had not known,+ and the land was left desolate behind them, with no one passing through or returning;+ for they turned the desirable land into an object of horror.’”

 

Bible illiteracy a crisis:Don't take my word for it.

The Church is Starving Itself: An Interview with Kenneth Berding

You say the church needs a revival of the Bible. What do you mean?

Dr. Berding: As with other times in history when love for God and his kingdom has waned, spiritually-minded people in our generation are longing for a renewal of the Holy Spirit. But I am convinced that any work of the Spirit not grounded in the Word of God is destined to be short-lived. My newest book Bible Revival: Recommitting Ourselves to One Book starts by comparing two revivals that took place in the country of Wales, the first in 1859 and the second in 1904. Both seem to have been genuine works of the Holy Spirit. But the impact of the first on the church and society was lasting, whereas the second was like a sparkler that spouted brilliant colors for a moment, sputtered, then grew suddenly dark. The difference between the two revivals was the Bible. In the first there was a strong emphasis on teaching the Bible and biblical doctrine; in the second such an emphasis was largely missing. If the Holy Spirit moved in revival in our generation I’m afraid that is might be short-lived in light of our current state of general disengagement with the Bible.

There are thousands of books about the Bible, yet you say yours is different since its aim is to help the reader “learn, live, and love the Bible.” How so?

Dr. Berding: Almost half of Bible Revival directly addresses the underlying spiritual problems that have contributed to our current generation’s disengagement with the Bible. The book doesn’t simply address how to interpret the Bible. Its probing of the underlying spiritual problems is what makes this book unique. Besides that, the book is short. People like short books.

How has technology’s distractions contributed to biblical illiteracy?

Dr. Berding: Technology is an enormous help for those who have the discipline to use it judiciously and keep its allurements at bay. The greatest problem with technology, though, is the amount of time we tend to devote to it—to social networking, television, video games, and internet surfing. Some of this time really needs to be given to reading God’s Word, memorizing it, meditating on it, and speaking about it to each other.

Yet, hasn’t technology made a positive contribution; for example, ubiquitous access to the Bible through such websites as Bible Gateway?

Dr. Berding: Absolutely! I am deeply grateful for the access people currently have to the Scriptures digitally, and I regularly recommend that my students access Bible Gateway. Furthermore, such technology has truly been a God-send to people in limited-access countries who want to learn God’s Word! Technology has also made it much easier to compare Bible translations, something that is extraordinarily helpful when doing a close study of a passage.

Still, I can’t help but reflect upon a comment made by a young man who was being challenged by a friend to start memorizing larger portions of Scripture. He cavalierly pulled out his smart phone, tapped it with his index finger, and retorted: “Why do I need to memorize the Bible? I’ve got it right here!” I wonder if that young man’s comment is in any way representative of a mindset shared by many who have been excessively devoted to technology.

How do you respond to people who say they’re too busy to read the Bible?

Dr. Berding: At the end of the first chapter of Bible Revival, I introduce people to Maxine Gowing, a woman who came to know the Lord at the age of 34. She was working two jobs and raising three children on her own. But her mentor emphasized from Day One the importance of the Bible for growth in her spiritual life. So Maxine carved out time to read, memorize, and talk to her children about the Bible. Maxine (now much further on in life) recently told me (though I had to squeeze the information out of her) that she memorized Philippians, Colossians, Hebrews, and 1 John during those years. If someone like Maxine could do this, I believe that any of us can make some time to read and learn the Bible. Will it entail for you cutting into a bit of sleep, or listening to a recording of the Bible while you drive to school or work, or reading the Bible aloud to your children before dinner? So be it. The Bible is basic to our Christian lives. All of us need to make it a priority.

You claim that many people have an underlying distrust of the Bible. Explain what you mean.

Dr. Berding: We live in a generation where lots of people distrust authoritative texts. Even though we are not always aware of it, many of us—self-professing Christians included—have breathed in this air of distrust. During doctoral studies I had to read a book titled Is There a Text in This Class? by Stanley Fish, a Duke University professor at that time. In his opinion, there are actually no meanings that you can discover from reading written words. Instead, social groups create their own subjective meanings when they read texts. Said differently, it isn’t possible to read a text and actually know what it means. You’re stuck with trying to make some sort of meaning out of it in whatever setting you find yourself. Have you ever heard the following comment? “Well, maybe the passage means that to you, but it doesn’t mean the same thing to me.” Anyone who makes such a comment is inhaling the same air as the professor I just mentioned. I have had various students over the years make a related comment: “There are so many different interpretations, how can we know which is correct?” They’re breathing in the same air.

The multitude of today’s Bible versions shows how nuanced and complex it is to translate Hebrew and Greek into English. How important is it to memorize Scripture perfectly and minutely word-for-word?

Dr. Berding: It’s important to memorize word-for-word, but not for the reason most people who emphasize it think. The goal in translation is that translators do everything possible to minimize the bits of lost meaning or added meaning that pop up whenever any text is translated from one language to another. That process is very nuanced. The goal in memorization is different. It’s that you remember what you’ve learned; and to do that you need to stick with one generally faithful translation. Yes, learn it word-for-word, otherwise you’re going to forget it. But if you discover that there is a problem somewhere in your otherwise-generally-faithful translation, my recommendation is that you switch out a word or phrase from another translation and memorize that expression in place of the problematic one. For example, right now I’m trying to memorize the book of Galatians, and the translation I’m using often employs the word bond-servant where slave would be a better translation. So I’ve penciled out bond-servant on my memorization paper and have replaced it with slave. Still, since most of us don’t have the background in biblical languages to make calls like this, my recommendation is that for the purpose of memorization—not for study, mind you—you stick with one translation and learn it word-for-word.

Why is it important to intentionally talk about the Bible with others?

Dr. Berding: First of all, the Bible itself instructs us to talk about the Bible. It’s one key theme of the book of Deuteronomy, which is concerned especially with parents speaking to their children (e.g., Deut. 4:9-10; 6:4-9; 11:18-20; 29:29; 31:12-13; 32:45-46). But beyond this, did you know that one of the quickest ways of remembering and retaining is by verbally relating to others what you have read? There is a good reason some of us become professors; we know that teaching others is one of the best ways to learn!

How can people achieve what you call Bible fluency?

Dr. Berding: The most important thing you can do to achieve “Bible fluency” is to set aside daily time to read (that is, larger sections), study (smaller sections, like paragraphs), and memorize God’s Word (click to learn the easiest way to memorize Bible passages). Furthermore, in September I’m releasing a project called simply Bible Fluency, which is a method for learning how to locate the most important events, characters, and themes in the Bible. Bible Fluency employs high quality recorded music, graphic art, teaching videos, a workbook, and class curriculum to help people learn their way around the Bible. All materials will be made available for free at biblefluency.com (once the password has been lifted) and some of the physical materials will be made available to purchase through Weaver Book Company. I’m super excited to be on the cusp of releasing this exceptionally useful resource in September. I anticipate that this is precisely the kind of resource people who visit Bible Gateway will be interested in using.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Dr. Berding: I’m “praying my heart out” that God will do a genuine work of renewal by the Holy Spirit in this generation. But I long for it to be a lasting work of God. In preparation for this we need to recommit ourselves to One Book—the Bible—and commit ourselves to learn it, value it, understand it, apply it, obey it, and speak it. Lord, may it be!

Being relevant to whom?

1Corinthians6:9-11NIV"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Romans1:26,27NIV"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error."

Where does the Episcopal Church stand on the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian people?

Closeted gay and lesbian people have been ordained throughout Christian history.  The same has been true in the Episcopal Church.
In 1977, Bishop Paul Moore of New York ordained Ellen Barrett as the first openly lesbian priest in the Episcopal Church.  Since then, numerous openly gay and lesbian clergy have been ordained or come out of the closet.
In 1993, Bishop Otis Charles of Utah retired and came out.
In 1994 the General Convention passed the following resolution...

No one shall be denied access to the selection process for ordination in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by these Canons. No right to ordination is hereby established.

In 1996, several conservative bishops filed heresy charges against retired Bishop Walter Righter because he had ordain an openly gay man to the deaconate.  The ecclesiastical court dismissed the charges--ruling that the Episcopal Church had no clear doctrine on the issue.
In 2003, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Where does the Episcopal Church stand on same-sex marriages?

In 2009, the General Convention passed the following resolution...

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further
Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

As a result, an increasing number of bishops have promulgated official, written policies that permit the blessing of same-sex relationships.  In a few dioceses, bishops allow their clergy to act as agents of the state and marry same-gender couples.

The freedom that Jehovah God gives through Christ is the power to live as we ought and not license to live as we please. 

1peter2:16NIV"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves."