Zechariah 7 7

Zechariah 7:7 kjv

Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?

Zechariah 7:7 nkjv

Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?' "

Zechariah 7:7 niv

Are these not the words the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?'?"

Zechariah 7:7 esv

Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?'"

Zechariah 7:7 nlt

Isn't this the same message the LORD proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?'"

Zechariah 7 verses

Zechariah 7 7 Meaning

Zechariah 7:7 speaks of the true fast that God desires. It is not merely an outward observance of refraining from food, but an inward disposition of obedience and compassion towards others. God instituted fasts to remind Israel of their sin and dependence on Him, yet these practices became mere rituals without the accompanying heart attitude of repentance and mercy. The verse emphasizes that these fasts were not commanded by God in this outward, perfunctory way but were later additions. The essence of true worship and covenant faithfulness lies in justice, kindness, and humility towards one's neighbor, especially the vulnerable.

Zechariah 7 7 Context

This verse appears in Zechariah chapter 7, a response to a question posed by representatives from Bethel. They ask the priests and prophets if they should continue to mourn and fast during the fifth and seventh months, commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians. The historical context is the post-exilic period when the Temple was being rebuilt. Zechariah is prophesying during the reign of King Darius I, approximately 520 BC. The people, though returned to their land, were facing hardship and questioning God's favor. Zechariah, empowered by the Spirit of God, addresses the emptiness of their ritualistic fasting and redirects them to the core principles of God's covenant: justice, mercy, and compassion. He reminds them that their current suffering is partly a consequence of their ancestors' disobedience, and the true path to divine blessing is not in external performances but in internal transformation and righteous living.

Zechariah 7 7 Word Analysis

• "And it was (happened)": The Hebrew is וַיְהִי (vayehí), meaning "and it was" or "and it happened." This is a common narrative connector, indicating the occurrence of the following event or statement. It introduces God's direct response or explanation.

• "to": The Hebrew is אֶל־ ('el), a preposition often signifying direction, purpose, or destination. Here it indicates to whom the message is being spoken.

• "to speak": The Hebrew is לֵאמֹר (le'mor), a verbal infinitive meaning "to say" or "saying." It signals that a quotation or message is about to be delivered.

• "Jehovah": The Hebrew is יְהוָה (YHWH), the covenant name of God, transliterated as "Yahweh" or rendered as "the LORD." This signifies God speaking directly, asserting His authority and identity.

• "of hosts": The Hebrew is צְבָאוֹת (ts'va'ot), meaning "hosts" or "armies." This title "LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's supreme power, sovereignty, and control over all celestial and earthly forces, highlighting His ability to act decisively.

• "of": The Hebrew is Lamed preposition (ל), indicating possession or relationship.

• "Is it not": The Hebrew is הֲלֹא (halo'), an interrogative particle that functions as "is it not?" or "did not?". It frames the statement as a rhetorical question, prompting the listener to agree with the self-evident truth that follows.

• "you": The Hebrew is אַתֶּם ('attem), the plural masculine form of "you," referring to the people of Israel or their representatives.

• "to me": The Hebrew is אֵלַי ('elay), meaning "to me" or "unto me." It refers to the Prophet Zechariah as the recipient of the message.

• "the fasts": The Hebrew is הַצֹּום (hazzoom), meaning "the fast" or "the fasting." This word refers to the specific appointed fasts, particularly those mentioned in verse 7:5 (the fifth and seventh months).

• "and": The Hebrew conjunction וְ (wə) links words or clauses.

• "the mourning": The Hebrew is הַנֵּיבֶל (hannenēbel), meaning "the lamentation" or "the mourning." This refers to the act of grieving or expressing sorrow, associated with their commemorative fasts.

• "and": The Hebrew conjunction וְ (wə) links words or clauses.

• "in": The Hebrew preposition בְּ (bə) indicating in, by, with, or at.

• "the fifth": The Hebrew is הַחֲמִשִׁי (hachamishí), meaning "the fifth." Refers to the fifth month (Tammuz), associated with the breach of Jerusalem's walls.

• "and": The Hebrew conjunction וְ (wə) links words or clauses.

• "in": The Hebrew preposition בְּ (bə).

• "the seventh": The Hebrew is הַשְּׁבִיעִי (hash'vi'í), meaning "the seventh." Refers to the seventh month (Tishri), associated with Gedaliah's assassination.

• "for": The Hebrew preposition לְמַעַן (lema'an), meaning "for," "on account of," or "for the sake of." It introduces the purpose or reason for their actions.

• "Me": Hebrew refers to God, whom they were professedly observing the fasts for.

• "did you fast": The Hebrew is צַמְתֶּם (tsamtem), the second person plural perfect form of the verb צום (tsam), "to fast." This verb directly addresses the action they were performing.

Words-group by words-group Analysis

• "And it was to speak Jehovah of hosts to me, saying": This phrase establishes divine communication. The prophet is directly addressed by God, identified by His powerful name, "LORD of hosts," emphasizing the authority and importance of the message. The "saying" indicates a direct quote of God's words.

• "did you fast for Me?": This is the central rhetorical question. It challenges the people's understanding and practice of fasting. The question "for Me?" implies that their fasting was not genuinely directed towards God in a pleasing manner, suggesting a misdirected effort or a perfunctory observance. It implies their fasting was for their own benefit or out of tradition, not from a sincere desire to please God.

• "Is it not these fasts in the fifth and in the seventh": This clause identifies the specific fasts in question. These were historical fasts commemorating significant tragedies—the breach of Jerusalem's walls in the fifth month (Tammuz) and the assassination of Gedaliah, marking a further collapse in the seventh month (Tishri), events following the destruction of the Temple.

• "did you fast": The repeated emphasis on "you fast" underlines their consistent performance of this ritual. The divine inquiry challenges the validity and sincerity of these repeated acts.

Zechariah 7 7 Bonus Section

The question of continuing or ceasing the fasts was not about abolishing remembrance, but about the nature of that remembrance and its ultimate purpose. The Babylonian exile and its preceding sins were deeply rooted in a failure to uphold justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 7:5-7). Therefore, God redirects their remembrance from mere sorrow over historical events to a commitment to the principles that were violated, thus preventing future such tragedies. The specific months, the fifth (Tammuz) and the seventh (Tishri), are mentioned. The fifth month commemorates the breach of Jerusalem's walls (Jeremiah 52:6-7), while the seventh month recalls the murder of Gedaliah and the subsequent scattering of the remnant (2 Kings 25:25). By connecting these fasts to the lack of justice and mercy in their forefathers' actions, God links their past failures to present suffering and offers a path to future restoration through covenant faithfulness. This emphasizes that divine blessing is not earned through ritualistic sorrow but through obedience and a changed heart that actively pursues justice and compassion.

Zechariah 7 7 Commentary

Zechariah 7:7 reveals God’s perspective on religious rituals. The people of Israel had instituted fasts to remember tragic events in their history, like the destruction of Jerusalem. They asked Zechariah if they should continue these fasts. God’s answer, delivered through Zechariah, is profound: "Did you fast for Me?" This rhetorical question exposes the root of their hollow observance. Their fasting was not driven by genuine devotion or a desire to please God, but by custom and perhaps a perfunctory hope for divine favor without genuine repentance or a change of heart. God clarifies that while He might allow such expressions of sorrow, His true requirement is not mere outward performance. Instead, the verse points towards the essence of true righteousness – acts of justice, kindness, and compassion towards fellow humans. God desires a heart that reflects His own character, rather than lip service or ritualistic adherence divorced from love and equity. This teaching echoes the broader prophetic call for social justice and emphasizes that true worship is demonstrated in how we treat others, particularly the vulnerable.