Zechariah 7:9 kjv
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Zechariah 7:9 nkjv
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.
Zechariah 7:9 niv
"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
Zechariah 7:9 esv
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,
Zechariah 7:9 nlt
"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.
Zechariah 7 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 23:6 | You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. | Justice, Judgment |
| Psalm 82:3-4 | Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. | Justice, Deliverance |
| Proverbs 11:1 | A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. | Equity, Integrity |
| Proverbs 29:14 | If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will endure forever. | Just Rule, Stability |
| Isaiah 1:17 | Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. | Doing Good, Seeking Justice |
| Jeremiah 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who is plundered... | Justice, Deliverance, Protection |
| Matthew 7:12 | So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. | The Golden Rule, Compassion |
| Luke 18:1-8 | ...and will not nearly a righteous judge who fears not God nor regards man? Yet because this widow keeps bothering him, a righteous judge will give her justice, so that she will not be worn out by her continual pleas. | Persistent Justice, Mercy |
| John 7:24 | Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. | Righteous Judgment, Truth |
| Acts 10:34 | So Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality... | Impartiality, God's Nature |
| Romans 2:11 | For God shows no partiality. | Impartiality, God's Nature |
| 1 Corinthians 6:7 | In fact, it is already a defeat for you that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather let yourselves be defrauded? | Avoiding Litigation, Forgiveness |
| Revelation 19:11 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. | Faithful and True, Righteous Judge |
| Exodus 22:21 | You shall not mistreat a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. | Kindness to Sojourners, Memory |
| Deuteronomy 1:16 | And I charged your judges at that time, "Hear these cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the sojourner who is with him. | Righteous Judgment, Impartiality |
| Deuteronomy 24:17 | You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless. | Justice for Vulnerable |
| Deuteronomy 32:4 | He is the Rock; his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. | God's Perfect Ways, Justice |
| Job 34:19 | Who shows no partiality to princes, nor does he regard the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? | Impartiality, God's Creation |
| Psalm 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. | Foundations of God's Rule |
| Proverbs 21:3 | To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | True Worship, Justice |
Zechariah 7 verses
Zechariah 7 9 Meaning
The verse commands a specific manner of judgment characterized by truth, justice, and mercy. It emphasizes that decisions should be based on righteous principles, not on personal gain or arbitrary power. This is a call for integrity and compassion in positions of authority, reflecting God's own character.
Zechariah 7 9 Context
Zechariah 7:9 is part of a message given to the returned exiles in Jerusalem. The people are questioning whether they should continue their fasts mourning the destruction of Jerusalem. The initial response (7:1-7) reiterates God's disappointment with their fasting if it's not accompanied by genuine obedience and righteous living. Zechariah 7:8-14 directly addresses the kings, priests, and people of Israel, rebuking them for past sins, specifically mentioning unjust dealings and violence. This verse, then, provides the core of the correct approach to governance and community life that God desires, contrasting with their previous unrighteousness. It's a principle meant for those in authority as well as for the community at large.
Zechariah 7 9 Word analysis
“and,” (וְ - wə): Conjunction, linking clauses, indicating a sequence or addition.
“execute” (שפטוּ - šəp̄əṯû): Imperative plural of שפט (šāp̄aṭ), meaning to judge, govern, decide, do justice. Here it's a command to administer justice.
“true” (אֱמֶת - ’ĕməṯ): Truth, faithfulness, reality. It signifies judgments based on factual accuracy and divine standard, not on falsehood or deceit.
“justice,” (מִשְׁפַּט - mišp̄aṭ): Judgment, justice, law, right. It refers to what is right, fair, and according to divine law, encompassing both civil and religious duties.
“and,” (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
“mercy” (חֶסֶד - ḥeseḏ): Steadfast love, kindness, mercy, loyalty. This emphasizes compassion, clemency, and the active demonstration of love and kindness, especially towards those in need.
“and” (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
“one” (אִישׁ - ’îš): Man, each man.
“another,” (אָחִיו - ’āḥîw): His brother. This signifies treating fellow members of the community, particularly fellow Israelites, with familial care and consideration.
Word Group Analysis: The phrase "execute true justice and mercy" combines concepts vital to God's law. "True justice" (אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפָּט - 'emet umishpat) means judgments aligned with divine truth and righteousness. "Mercy" (חֶסֶד - chesed) brings in the aspect of relational, covenantal love and compassion. The use of "brother" highlights the internal community dynamics and the need for relational integrity.
Zechariah 7 9 Bonus Section
The specific instruction to judge with "mercy" (חֶסֶד - chesed) is significant. While "justice" (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat) refers to what is right or due, "chesed" speaks to active kindness and loyal love. This principle is a hallmark of God's covenant relationship with Israel. Jesus later highlighted this aspect when speaking about the law in Matthew 23:23, where he contrasts the mint, dill, and cumin with "justice and mercy and faithfulness," stating that these "are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." This shows that God's expectation is for justice tempered with compassion. The inclusion of "brother" emphasizes that this principle of mercy is especially important within the community of faith.
Zechariah 7 9 Commentary
This verse is a foundational principle for ethical conduct, especially for those in leadership. God desires judgments that are not only legally correct ("true justice") but also infused with compassion and kindness ("mercy"). This dual emphasis prevents justice from becoming cold and unfeeling or mercy from becoming undisciplined license. It calls for a balance where laws are upheld, but with a recognition of human frailty and a desire to restore rather than merely punish. The commands for impartial judgment are a reflection of God's own character and requirements for His people. This prophetic directive addresses the root causes of past failures—the corruption and oppression by authorities—and sets a standard for future righteous living, vital for the rebuilding of their community and their relationship with God.
- Practical Application: When making decisions, whether in personal relationships or professional settings, consider:
- Is my judgment based on facts and truth?
- Am I showing compassion and kindness alongside enforcing rules?
- Am I treating people with the dignity due to them as God's creation?