Zechariah 7 4

Zechariah 7:4 kjv

Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,

Zechariah 7:4 nkjv

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,

Zechariah 7:4 niv

Then the word of the LORD Almighty came to me:

Zechariah 7:4 esv

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me:

Zechariah 7:4 nlt

The LORD of Heaven's Armies sent me this message in reply:

Zechariah 7 verses

Zechariah 7 4 Meaning

Zechariah 7:4 serves as a pivotal transitional statement within the prophet Zechariah's interaction with the delegation from Bethel. It declares that the subsequent message is a direct, authoritative revelation from God Himself. The verse emphasizes that the words spoken hereafter are not Zechariah's own opinion or wisdom, but the very "word of the LORD," signaling divine instruction in response to the people's inquiry about continuing their fasts. It underscores the unmediated and compelling nature of God's communication with His prophet for the benefit of His people.

Zechariah 7 4 Context

Zechariah 7 opens with a delegation from Bethel sending Sharazer and Regem-Melech to Jerusalem with a question for the priests and prophets. The core of their inquiry in Zechariah 7:3 is whether they should continue to mourn and fast in the fifth month, a fast commemorating the destruction of the Temple in 586 BC, considering that the Temple rebuilding had commenced. This delegation signifies a moment of spiritual questioning after a long period of exile and rebuilding efforts. Zechariah 7:4 directly precedes God's detailed response (starting in Zech 7:5), where Yahweh critiques the motive behind their fasting, stating it was for themselves rather than for Him. Thus, Zech 7:4 acts as a solemn preamble, establishing the divine authority and the binding nature of the answer about to be given, ensuring the people understood this was not human advice but God's direct command regarding true worship and obedience over mere ritual. Historically, this occurs around 518 BC, roughly two years after Zechariah’s main prophetic visions and seventeen years after the initial return from Babylonian exile, amidst ongoing struggles and successes in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple.

Zechariah 7 4 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְהִי / Vayhî): A conjunction serving as a temporal indicator, signifying continuity and sequence. It connects the delegation's inquiry in Zech 7:3 to God's immediate response. It suggests the Lord's word was timely and directly provoked by the human question, not a pre-emptive or unprompted declaration.
• the word (דְבַר־ / Devar-): From the Hebrew dābār, which means "word," "speech," "matter," "thing," or "affair." In this context, it denotes a potent, authoritative utterance. It is more than just communication; it is active, creative, and carries divine power and purpose. When it's Devar-YHWH (word of the LORD), it signifies an ultimate, effective truth.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה / YHWH): The covenant name of God, frequently translated as "the LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. It highlights God's personal, self-existent, and covenantal relationship with Israel. Its presence here underscores the absolute authority, faithfulness, and unchanging nature of the speaker. It distinguishes this message from any human pronouncement.
• came (אֵלַי / 'ēlay): From the verb hāyāh, meaning "to be," "to become," "to happen," "to come into being." Here, in the Qal perfect form, it indicates something that definitely happened or arrived. It implies a direct and personal intervention; the divine word didn't simply exist but actively reached Zechariah. This emphasizes the immediate and personal nature of revelation.
• to me (אֵלַי / 'ēlay): Literally "to me." Refers specifically to the prophet Zechariah, affirming his role as God's chosen messenger. It highlights the direct nature of the communication between God and His appointed prophet, distinguishing Zechariah’s utterances as divinely inspired rather than his own musings or wisdom.
• saying (לֵאמֹר / Lē'mōr): A Hebrew infinitive construct typically translated as "saying" or "to say." It serves as an introductory formula preceding direct discourse or an explanation of what was said. Its use here signals that the subsequent words are the exact words, direct quotation, or the specific content of the divine message delivered to Zechariah.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the word of the LORD came...": This phrase, Vayhî Devar-YHWH, is a very common and authoritative prophetic formula in the Old Testament, found frequently in books like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Haggai. It signifies that what follows is a direct, undeniable, and binding revelation from Yahweh Himself. It authenticates the prophetic message, distinguishing it from human opinions or mere historical events. This formula carries significant weight, acting as a divine stamp of approval and demanding careful attention and obedience from the recipients. It sets a formal tone, conveying divine earnestness and direct engagement with the specific query raised by the people.

• "...to me, saying:": This clarifies the medium of revelation (through the prophet Zechariah) and indicates that the following content is a direct address from God. The phrase 'ēlay Lē'mōr makes Zechariah an unwilling conduit, ensuring that the emphasis remains on the divine origin of the message rather than on the human messenger. This serves to authenticate the subsequent message for the audience, grounding it in an encounter with the divine, thereby preventing misinterpretations as mere human counsel. It reiterates the absolute authority behind the message and prepares the listeners for direct divine instruction regarding their religious practices.

Zechariah 7 4 Bonus section

The consistent use of the prophetic formula "the word of the LORD came to..." across numerous Old Testament prophets highlights the unified nature of divine revelation. It signals that God, the unchangeable YHWH, consistently uses human agents to communicate His will to His people. This formal introduction often preceded critical moments of theological instruction, covenant reminder, judgment, or comfort, thereby underscoring the solemnity and eternal significance of the subsequent message. It contrasts sharply with practices where people sought divine will through divination, omens, or human speculation, asserting the unique and direct method of God's interaction with Israel through His chosen prophets. In Zechariah 7:4, it signifies that God does not merely acknowledge the people's question, but responds with a comprehensive, heart-searching answer that cuts to the root of their spiritual state, moving beyond ritual observance to true obedience.

Zechariah 7 4 Commentary

Zechariah 7:4 is fundamentally a verse about divine communication and the nature of biblical prophecy. It establishes the immediate context for God's critique of the fasting practices (Zech 7:5ff). While brief, its significance is profound: it validates the divine origin and authority of the message that follows. In an era where human traditions could easily overshadow God’s true desires, the explicit declaration "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:" ensures that the ensuing pronouncements are understood not as Zechariah’s thoughts but as Yahweh’s direct and binding word. This prophetic formula served as an indispensable sign for ancient Israel, distinguishing true divine revelation from false prophecies or human wisdom. It shifts the entire discourse from human inquiry to divine pronouncement, setting the stage for a spiritual examination of their hearts and motives regarding true worship over outward observances. The essence of the verse emphasizes God's active involvement in guiding His people, even in the details of their religious observances, pointing towards a God who is attentive to their inquiries and provides clear, authoritative direction.