In the fourth year of King Darius, on the fourth day of the ninth month (Kislev), the word of the Lord comes to Zechariah, establishing the historical and chronological setting for a new phase of prophecy wherein questions about ritual practice will be addressed through divine instruction about justice and mercy. The specific date two years after the initial visions establishes that time has passed in the restoration process; presumably the temple reconstruction is progressing and questions about cultic practice have arisen. The formula the word of the Lord came shifts from the visionary mode to direct prophetic speech, indicating a change in the form of revelation. The ninth month (Kislev) was a significant month in the Jewish calendar, and the fourth day may have had particular significance. This verse marks the beginning of the didactic final section of the prophecy, wherein the visions give way to teaching about the meaning of restoration and the community's proper response.

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