Zecharyah 1:4

4 Do not be like your avot, unto whom the nevi’im harishonim preached, saying, Thus saith Hashem Tzva’os: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings; but they did not hear, nor listen to Me, saith Hashem.

Zecharyah 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 1:4

Be ye not as your fathers
Who lived before the captivity, and misused the prophets and messengers of the Lord, and despised his word, and fell into gross idolatry; the evil examples of parents and ancestors are not to be followed: unto whom the former prophets have cried:
such as Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others: saying, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Turn now from your evil ways,
and [from] your evil doings;
by their "evil ways" may be meant their idolatrous worship; and by their "evil doings" their immoralities; or, by both, their wicked lives and conversations, both before God and men; from whence they were exhorted by the former prophets to turn, and to reform; even "now", at that present time they prophesied to them, immediately, lest destruction come upon them: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord;
speaking by his prophets, who were sent by him, and came and spoke in his name; so that not hearing them was not hearing him who sent them, and whom they represented.

Zecharyah 1:4 In-Context

2 Hashem hath been very angry with your avot.

3 Therefore, say thou unto them, Thus saith Hashem Tzva’os: Return ye unto Me, saith Hashem Tzva’os, and I will return to you, saith Hashem Tzva’os.

4 Do not be like your avot, unto whom the nevi’im harishonim preached, saying, Thus saith Hashem Tzva’os: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings; but they did not hear, nor listen to Me, saith Hashem.

5 Your avot, where are they? And the nevi’im, do they live hal’olam (forever)?

6 But My devarim and My chukkim, which I commanded My avadim hanevi’im, did they not overtake your avot? And they made teshuvah and said, Just as Hashem Tzva’os determined to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath He dealt with us.