Zechariah 8:17

17 Do not plot evil^[a] in your hearts against your neighbor,^[b] and do not love perjury,^[c] for I hate all this"- the Lord's declaration.

Zechariah 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 8:17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against
his neighbour (See Gill on Zechariah 7:10) hatred without a cause was a governing vice under the second temple, and Jarchi says was the cause of the destruction of it; see ( John 15:25 ) : and love no false oath;
whereby the character and property of a fellow creature are hurt; nor any vain one, which the Jews were addicted to, ( Matthew 5:34 Matthew 5:35 ) : for all these [are things] that I hate, saith the Lord;
as being contrary to his nature, and to his law; and is a reason why they should be hated and avoided by men.

Zechariah 8:17 In-Context

15 "so I have resolved again in these days to do what is good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah. Don't be afraid.

16 These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; render honest and peaceful judgments in your gates.

17 Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury, for I hate all this"- the Lord's declaration.

18 Then the word of the Lord of Hosts came to me:

19 "The Lord of Hosts says this: The fast of the fourth [month], the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace."

Footnotes

• [a]. Mc 2:1
• [b]. Dt 10:12-22; Mt 22:39
• [c]. Lv 5:4; Nm 30:2; Jr 5:2