Zechariah 8 16

Zechariah 8:16 kjv

These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Zechariah 8:16 nkjv

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;

Zechariah 8:16 niv

These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;

Zechariah 8:16 esv

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

Zechariah 8:16 nlt

But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

Zechariah 8 verses

Zechariah 8 16 Meaning

This verse lays out two fundamental ethical commands from God to His people for the foundation of a righteous and flourishing community. It calls for genuine truthfulness in all personal interactions and direct communication, fostering trust and integrity among neighbors. Secondly, it mandates the administration of justice in public and legal matters to be entirely truthful and equitable, resulting in societal peace and holistic well-being rather than merely concluding disputes. These divine instructions reveal that true restoration involves not only God's blessings but also His people's active commitment to ethical living.

Zechariah 8 16 Context

Zechariah chapter 8 forms a pivotal part of the prophet's message following the people's inquiry about continuing to fast for past calamities (Zec 7). Rather than simply affirming or rejecting the fasts, God's response, primarily through chapters 7 and 8, refocuses their attention. Zechariah 8 specifically moves from declarations of judgment to expansive prophecies of Jerusalem's future restoration, blessing, and prosperity. It promises divine presence (v. 3), safety for all generations (v. 4-5), an era of abundance (v. 12), and the city becoming a blessing to nations (v. 13).

Amidst these glorious visions of a future marked by God's unwavering favor, the Lord punctuates the chapter with direct, ethical commands in verses 16-17. These commands are not prerequisites to earn God's favor but are the expected behaviors of a people already promised profound restoration and divine blessing. The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period, where the returning exiles faced discouragement while rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. God’s message inspires hope for the future but firmly links that hope to an present ethical transformation, specifically highlighting the importance of truth and justice in their communal life as the foundation for the promised societal shalom (peace/well-being). The city "gates" in ancient society were the central place for legal, commercial, and social transactions, thus becoming a symbolic focal point for the administration of justice.

Zechariah 8 16 Word analysis

• These are the things you are to do (אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּ - 'Êlleh haddevārîm 'ăšer ta'ăśû):

  • 'Êlleh (אֵלֶּה): "These." A demonstrative pronoun, signaling the specific instructions that follow. It emphasizes that these are concrete, identifiable actions.
  • Haddevārîm (הַדְּבָרִים): "The words, the things." Derived from davar, a multifaceted Hebrew term that can mean 'word,' 'matter,' or 'thing.' Here it refers to a set of directives or commands with significant importance.
  • 'ăšer ta'ăśû (אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּ): "which you are to do/shall do." The imperfect tense expresses an ongoing requirement or an expected future action. It signifies that these are active duties, not passive observations, binding upon the entire community.

• Speak the truth (דַּבְּרוּ אֱמֶת - dabberû 'emeth):

  • Dabberû (דַּבְּרוּ): "Speak!" This is an imperative verb, a direct command given to all members of the community (plural). It underscores the active nature of this duty.
  • 'Emeth (אֱמֶת): "Truth." More than simply abstaining from falsehood, 'emet connotes firmness, reliability, faithfulness, and integrity. It aligns with God's character of absolute truth and reliability, calling His people to embody the same.

• to each other (אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ - 'îš 'eth-rē'êhû):

  • 'Κ (אִישׁ): "A man, each one." A generic term for any individual within the community.
  • 'eth-rē'êhû (אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ): "to his neighbor/friend/companion." The word rea' signifies close social relationship, extending the command of truthfulness beyond official settings to everyday interpersonal interactions and relationships within the covenant community.

• render in your gates judgment that is true and makes for peace (שַׁעַר אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפָּט שָׁלוֹם שִׁפְטוּ - ša'ar 'emeth ūmišpaṭ šālôm šipṭû):

  • Sha'ar (שַׁעַר): "Gate." Refers to the city gate, the historical location for legal proceedings, administrative decisions, and commercial transactions. It represents the public sphere of justice and community governance.
  • 'Emeth (אֱמֶת): "Truth." Here, it qualifies the judgment. Decisions rendered in the gate must be fact-based, honest, and reliable, without bias or corruption.
  • Ûmišpaṭ (וּמִשְׁפָּט): "And judgment/justice." From mishpat, denoting just decrees, righteous administration of law, and ethical standards. It encompasses both legal verdicts and the broader concept of societal justice.
  • Shālôm (שָׁלוֹם): "Peace, wholeness, well-being, completeness, prosperity, harmony." This is the desired outcome or quality of the judgment. Justice that is truly righteous fosters shalom—not just absence of conflict, but flourishing well-being and reconciliation in the community.
  • Šipṭû (שִׁפְטוּ): "Judge!" Another imperative verb, addressing those in authority and also implicitly calling for the entire community's upholding of justice.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Speak the truth to each other": This phrase establishes foundational honesty as a characteristic of God's people. It's a reciprocal command, essential for building mutual trust and robust, healthy relationships within the covenant community. It confronts deceit and ensures clear, reliable communication that sustains social bonds.
  • "render in your gates judgment that is true and makes for peace": This instruction moves from individual ethics to public administration of justice. The "gates" signify public life where collective decisions and legal matters are handled. "Judgment that is true" means verdicts are unbiased, based on facts and God's righteous standards. Crucially, this justice must "make for peace" (mishpat shalom), meaning its ultimate aim is not just a legal decision but the holistic restoration of well-being, reconciliation, and societal harmony, preventing lingering strife and promoting overall communal flourishing.

Zechariah 8 16 Bonus section

• This verse represents a core covenant ethic for the post-exilic community. It implicitly contrasts with the pervasive societal corruption, false testimony, and injustice that often characterized the period preceding the Babylonian exile, acting as a call for a fundamental moral paradigm shift.
• The tight coupling of 'truth' ('emet) and 'peace' (shalom) is deeply significant. In biblical theology, shalom is far more than the absence of conflict; it signifies holistic well-being, integrity, and righteousness. True peace can only arise from truth and justice; they are inextricably linked.
• The immediate context in Zechariah highlights God's preference for righteous living over mere ritual. Instead of debating the fasting calendar, God redirects His people to practice concrete ethics, implying that true worship and piety are expressed through daily moral conduct.
• The "gates" imagery speaks to both public accountability and accessibility. Justice was administered publicly, implying transparency and the direct participation of elders and wise individuals in upholding societal standards. This location was crucial for demonstrating visible righteousness to the community and surrounding nations.

Zechariah 8 16 Commentary

Zechariah 8:16 articulates non-negotiable ethical directives from God to His restored people. It underscores that God's plan for revival is holistic, encompassing not just spiritual renewal but profound societal transformation built on righteousness. "Speaking the truth to each other" forms the bedrock of community trust; it means an active, intentional commitment to honesty and reliability in every conversation, relationship, and transaction, echoing God's own faithful character. This command addresses the integrity of individuals, challenging any form of falsehood that erodes social cohesion.

Expanding to the public sphere, the command to "render in your gates judgment that is true and makes for peace" highlights the crucial role of just governance and legal administration. The "gates" symbolize the center of civic life where legal disputes were resolved. Here, judgment must be exercised with unwavering truth ('emet), impartiality, and factual accuracy. The outcome is not merely a legal verdict, but a decision that genuinely fosters shalom—comprehensive peace, wholeness, and well-being for all parties and the community at large. True justice actively works towards reconciliation and long-term societal harmony, contrasting with divisive or corrupt legal practices. This verse ultimately teaches that divine blessing and genuine restoration manifest through a people living with profound integrity, personally and communally, thereby reflecting God’s own righteousness.