An Oracle The word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus says the LORD: As at 9.1, the text begins with the three Hebrew words massaʾ devar YHWH; and as at 9.1 it is necessary to decide how these words should be divided up. We recommend that as at 9.1, they should be taken together and translated as in the models below. In the present case the question is complicated by the words that follow, namely neʾum YHWH (Revised Standard Version Thus says the LORD). These words are a formula that frequently marks the end of a unit, and sometimes its climax. Here the formula is followed by three phrases, each introduced by a participle, and each describing yhwh. Nowhere else in Zechariah does the formula neʾum YHWH have such material attached to it. Some scholars see the occurrence of neʾum YHWH here as one of a handful of places where a similar phrase introduces direct speech. Other examples cited are Num 24.3-4, 15-16; 2 Sam 23.1; Psa 110.1; Isa 56.8. When we look more closely at these other cases, it turns out that most of them are not closely parallel with the present one. The examples in Numbers are neʾum not of YHWH but of Balaam, and that in 2 Samuel is a neʾum of David. The Psalm example is not quite parallel because there the phrase is not used as a formula but as part of a full sentence. The Isaiah case is a better parallel, because the formula there, though expanded to neʾum ʾadonay YHWH (“Thus says the Lord GOD” in Revised Standard Version), is also followed by a phrase in which the verb form is a participle, and does appear to introduce direct speech. Here in Zech 12.1 too, this may be the case, and Revised Standard Version and other available modern versions take it that way. It seems possible, however, to regard neʾum YHWH as having here a less common function, namely that of reinforcing an opening marker, which in this case is massaʾ devar YHWH. (Similar occurrences are found in 12.4; 13.2, 7, 8). If this is so, then strictly speaking, these words (massaʾ devar YHWH) would be the ones to introduce the direct speech that begins in the next verse. Such an analysis would be more comparable with the structure in 9.1 and also in Mal 1.1.
Model translations for this opening could be “Here is a pronouncement: the word of the LORD concerning Israel, an oracle of the LORD who…” or “This is a message that brings the LORD’s word concerning Israel, an announcement by the LORD who….”
Since Israel is not again mentioned in chapters 12–14, it is necessary to understand the term to mean the whole people of God (Meyers & Meyers). For comments on the words “(and also about Judah)” found at this point in New Jerusalem Bible, see the comments on verse 2.
Who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth: This statement is a figurative way of referring to the role of the LORD in the creation of the universe (compare Gen 1). Such statements occur in numerous places in the prophetic writings. The closest parallels to this statement are probably those in Isa 42.5; Isa 51.13. The words translated stretched and founded are Hebrew present participles. In most modern versions these are translated as past tenses because creation is regarded as an event that took place in the past. Translators should use whatever verb forms are appropriate in their own languages. In some languages these verbs may be restructured as nouns to avoid the problem of time (“the stretcher-out of the heavens, and the founder of the earth”).
Stretched out the heavens is a metaphor based on the picture of the heavens (the sky) as a scroll, that is, a rolled up length of writing material. Another rendering could be “who spread out [or, unrolled] the sky.” Founded the earth is a metaphor based on the picture of the earth as a building. Other renderings are “laid the earth’s foundation” (compare New American Bible, New International Version, Beck) and “put the earth on its foundations” (Contemporary English Version). When the heavens and the earth are spoken of together like this they stand for the whole universe. Translators should keep the metaphors if possible; but, if necessary, they may put the two together and express the underlying meaning as “who created the entire universe.”
And formed the spirit of man within him: The Hebrew word translated formed suggests the work of a potter in shaping his clay. This word is the same word as that used in Gen 2.7, which this description refers back to. If translators cannot retain the metaphor, they may simply state the meaning as “and gave life to human beings.”
Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .