Zechariah 1:12

1:12 The angel of the Lord then asked, “Lord who rules over all, 1  how long before you have compassion on Jerusalem 2  and the other cities of Judah which you have been so angry with for these seventy years?” 3 

Zechariah 6:10

6:10 “Choose some people 4  from among the exiles, namely, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, all of whom have come from Babylon, and when you have done so go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 5 

1 sn Note that here the angel of the Lord is clearly distinct from the Lord who rules over all himself.

2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

3 sn The seventy years refers to the predicted period of Babylonian exile, a period with flexible beginning and ending points depending on the particular circumstances in view (cf. Jer 25:1; 28:1; 29:10; Dan 9:2). Here the end of the seventy years appears to be marked by the completion of the temple in 516 b.c., exactly seventy years after its destruction in 586.

4 tn The words “some people” are supplied in the translation. The Hebrew verb translated “choose” (alternatively “take” [NAB, NIV]; “collect” [NRSV, CEV]) has no direct object specified in the text. Some translations supply “silver and gold” (NIV, NRSV) or “an offering” (NASB).

5 sn Except for Joshua (v. 11) none of these individuals is otherwise mentioned and therefore they cannot be further identified.