Zechariah7
English Standard Version
1In the of , the of the Lord came to on the day of the , which is .
2Now the people of had and and their to the of the Lord,
3 to the of the of the Lord of and the , Should I and in the , as I have ?
4Then the of the Lord of to me:
5 to the of the and the , you and in the month and in the , for these , was it that you ?
6And when you and when you , do you for yourselves and for yourselves?
7Were these the that the Lord the , when was and , with her her, and the and the were ?
8And the of the Lord came to , ,
9 the Lord of , , and to ,
10do the , the , the , or the , and let of you against in your .
11But they to pay and a and their that they might not .
12They their lest they should the and the that the Lord of had his through the . Therefore came from the Lord of .
13 I , and they would , they , and I would , the Lord of ,
14and I scattered them the they had . Thus the they was , so that no one and , and the was .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The captives' inquiry respecting fasting. (1–7). Sin the cause of their captivity. (8–14).
vv1-7
If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we must not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God's ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose special business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to question whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city and temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry is a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God, unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There was the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercises are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glory as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self was the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fast days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, that they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they must be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.
vv8-14
God's judgements upon Israel of old for their sins, were written to warn Christians. The duties required are, not keeping fasts and offering sacrifices, but doing justly and loving mercy, which tend to the public welfare and peace. The law of God lays restraint upon the heart. But they filled their minds with prejudices against the word of God. Nothing is harder than the heart of a presumptuous sinner. See the fatal consequences of this to their fathers. Great sins against the Lord of hosts, bring great wrath from his power, which cannot be resisted. Sin, if regarded in the heart, will certainly spoil the success of prayer. The Lord always hears the cry of the broken-hearted penitent; yet all who die impenitent and unbelieving, will find no remedy or refuge from miseries which while here they despised and defied, but which they then will not be able to bear.
Key Words
אַרְבַּע: four
שָׁנֶה: a year (as a revolution of time)
מֶלֶךְ: a king
דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ: Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
זְכַרְיָה: Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites
תְּשִׁיעִי: ninth
חֹדֶשׁ: the new moon; by implication, a month
כִּסְלֵו: Kisleu, the 9th Hebrew month
שָׁלַח: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Zechariah 7Direct parallel exposing hypocritical, self-pleasing fasting rather than genuine internal devotion.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical record of Jerusalem's destruction in the fifth month, the origin of their memorial fast.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Records the murder of Gedaliah, which triggered the fast of the seventh month.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Summons true justice, mercy, and humility over empty external rituals.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Prophetic resolution where these sad fasts are promised to become cheerful feasts.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
New Testament principle of eating, drinking, or fasting 'unto the Lord' vs. self.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the 'former prophets' demanding obedience rather than merely ritual sacrifices.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Command to seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and plead for the fatherless and widow.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Verbal echo of 'pulled away the shoulder' (withdrawing the neck) in stubborn rebellion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matches the divine lex talionis: since they refused to hear, He will not hear them.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The priest's lips should keep knowledge, as ordinary casuists for the people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions the inhabited south and plain when Jerusalem was in prosperity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast between their self-made 'adamant stone' heart and God's promised heart of flesh.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The covenant curse of scattering the people among nations and leaving the land desolate.
Supported by Matthew Henry