Zechariah 1 12

Zechariah 1:12 kjv

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

Zechariah 1:12 nkjv

Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?"

Zechariah 1:12 niv

Then the angel of the LORD said, "LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?"

Zechariah 1:12 esv

Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?'

Zechariah 1:12 nlt

Upon hearing this, the angel of the LORD prayed this prayer: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies, for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?"

Zechariah 1 verses

Zechariah 1 12 Meaning

Zechariah 1:12 records a profound intercessory plea made by the Angel of the LORD to God, the "LORD of hosts." The Angel expresses concern over the continued desolation of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, asking how long God's indignation will persist against them, particularly highlighting that the prophesied "threescore and ten years" (seventy years) of punishment are concluding. This plea initiates the divine response of comfort and promises of restoration for God's people.

Zechariah 1 12 Context

Zechariah 1:12 is embedded within the first of Zechariah's eight nocturnal visions (Zec 1:7-17). The prophet is observing a divine scene: angelic riders, serving as heavenly patrolmen, report to the Angel of the LORD that the whole earth is at rest. This report implies a disturbing contrast: while other nations are undisturbed, Jerusalem and Judah remain desolate, contrary to the expected return to prosperity after the Babylonian exile. It is at this point that the Angel of the LORD, who mediates between God and Zechariah in the vision, steps forward to intercede. The historical context is 520 BC, the second year of Darius I. The Jewish exiles had returned to Judah nearly two decades earlier but faced severe discouragement, with the Temple reconstruction stalled. The reference to "seventy years" directly invokes Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the duration of the Babylonian captivity and the land's desolation (Jer 25:11-12, Jer 29:10), a period that was now effectively complete or nearing completion from a historical perspective (from 586 BC, the destruction of Jerusalem, to 538 BC, the return of the first exiles, and up to the current setting). The Angel's plea highlights the urgent expectation for God's promised restoration to fully manifest.

Zechariah 1 12 Word analysis

• Then the angel of the LORD: The Hebrew is mal'akh YHWH (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה). This figure is a prominent, often mysterious, personage in the Old Testament, frequently identified with God Himself or acting as His divine manifestation (a Theophany or Christophany). Here, he acts as a chief intercessor within the heavenly court, revealing a deep concern aligned with divine compassion for God's suffering people. His proactive "answer" indicates active participation in the heavenly dialogue.
• answered and said: Signifies a responsive interjection to the patrol's report, implying a prior understanding or an unfolding dialogue in the divine assembly.
• O LORD of hosts: The Hebrew title YHWH Tseva'ot (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת). This powerful name for God emphasizes His sovereign authority over all celestial and earthly armies and hosts. It highlights His omnipotence and control, particularly relevant when petitioning for an end to divine judgment and a demonstration of His power to restore. The address underscores the gravity of the Angel's appeal to the ultimate Divine Ruler.
• how long wilt thou not have mercy: The Hebrew phrase is 'ad-matai lo'-teracham (עַד-מָתַי לֹא-תְרַחֵם). "How long" is a lamenting plea found often in the Psalms (e.g., Ps 13:1), expressing an intense longing for God to act. The verb "racham" (רַחַם), meaning "to have mercy" or "to show compassion," signifies a deep, heartfelt pity, often likened to a parent's tender affection for a child. The question, posed by a divine figure, demonstrates not impatience with God's justice but an understanding that the divinely appointed time for judgment is drawing to a close, and it is now time for the outpouring of compassion.
• on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah: The specific geographical and covenantal entities. Jerusalem, the chosen city, and Judah, the remnant of Israel, were central to God's promises and had endured the brunt of His judgment through the exile and desolation. The plea is direct and specific to the heart of the covenant land.
• against which thou hast had indignation: The Hebrew word za'am (זַעַם) denotes intense wrath, fury, or righteous indignation, usually stemming from divine judgment against sin. This indicates that God's actions were not arbitrary but were a just response to the rebellion of His people, fulfilling warnings given throughout the prophets. It acknowledges the divine cause for their suffering.
• these threescore and ten years: "Seventy years" (shiv'im shana) in Hebrew. This precise number refers directly to the period of exile and desolation foretold by Jeremiah (Jer 25:11, 29:10). This specific timeframe had almost elapsed or fully passed by Zechariah's time. Its mention highlights the faithful completion of divine prophecy and implies that the conditions for promised restoration are now met.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Then the angel of the LORD answered... O LORD of hosts": This exchange reveals a divine court scene. The "Angel of the LORD" is no mere created angel but an elevated figure, potentially a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, who intercedes with the sovereign "LORD of hosts." This high-level dialogue underscores the significance of the matter at hand—God's plans for His covenant people. It also signifies that concerns from the earthly realm reach the very throne room of God through active angelic mediation.
• "how long wilt thou not have mercy... against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years": This entire phrase encapsulates a theological tension and a profound plea. It contrasts God's past "indignation" (a righteous, judicial wrath) that led to the "seventy years" of desolation with a longing for Him to "have mercy." The "how long" question implies an expectation of divine timing. It shows the angelic figure (and by extension, heaven itself) acknowledging the completion of the deserved judgment and anticipating the beginning of a new phase of grace and restoration, in line with God's pre-ordained schedule. It highlights the divine attribute of being both just and merciful.

Zechariah 1 12 Bonus section

• Identity of the Angel of the LORD: Scholarly debate exists regarding the identity of the "Angel of the LORD" in Zechariah, as elsewhere in the Old Testament. Many interpret this figure as a unique divine messenger, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God, due to His close association with YHWH, His authoritative speech, and the divine response He elicits. This would make the intercession here a powerful display of the Son's concern for His people even before His Incarnation.
• The Significance of "Seventy Years": This specific period of seventy years is not arbitrary but a deliberate fulfillment of prophecy, especially Jeremiah's (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10). It demonstrates God's sovereign control over historical events and His faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and in promised restoration. This numerical period for punishment aligns with the land's desolation for not keeping its sabbatical years (Lev 26:34-35; 2 Chr 36:21). The completion of this time signals God's remembrance of His covenant.
• Intercessory Pattern: The intercession by the Angel of the LORD establishes a powerful pattern: even in heaven, there is advocacy for God's people on earth. This heavenly concern for human suffering and divine intervention provides great comfort. It sets the stage for the New Testament understanding of Christ's ongoing intercession for believers at the right hand of God (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).

Zechariah 1 12 Commentary

Zechariah 1:12 serves as a pivotal moment in the book of Zechariah, bridging the understanding of past judgment with the hope of future restoration. It paints a picture of divine empathy through the intercession of the Angel of the LORD. The Angel's plea is not one of ignorance but a conscious appeal based on the expiration of the foretold "seventy years" of indignation. This signifies that God's period of deserved chastisement is concluding, making way for His steadfast love to return. The Angel's prayer highlights several key theological truths: God's precise timing for His judgments and promises, His compassionate nature that always follows judgment with an opportunity for mercy, and the vital role of intercession within the heavenly economy. It reassures Zechariah and the discouraged exiles that their suffering had a divine purpose and a divinely appointed end. The rapid, comforting response to this intercession, detailed in the verses immediately following, further reinforces God's readiness to restore Jerusalem and scatter prosperity across Judah, signaling an imminent turning point for His people. This heavenly dialogue offers immense encouragement to those grappling with despair, reminding them that God’s justice is bounded by His enduring mercy.