Zechariah 7:9-13

9 “This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.

10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

11 “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears.

12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry.

13 “ ‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 7:9-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 7

This chapter treats concerning the nature and use of certain fasts kept by the Jews, on account of the destruction of the temple, and other things; and concerning the message of the former prophets to them, and the effects of it. The occasion of the former was an embassy sent by the Jews to the priests and prophets, to know whether they should continue the fast of the fifth month; upon which the prophet was sent by the Lord unto them. The time of the prophecy is noted, Zec 7:1. An account of the embassy is given, of the persons that were sent, and to whom, and upon what account, Zec 7:2,3. The answer of the Lord to it by the prophet, showing the usefulness of fasts to him, and putting them upon hearkening to his voice by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was in great prosperity, Zec 7:4-7 and then they are exhorted by him, in the ministry of the present prophet, to acts of righteousness, several species of which are mentioned; and which were the same they had been exhorted to by the former prophets, but had neglected, and hardened their hearts against all exhortations and instructions, Zec 7:8-12 and were the reason of their captivity and desolation, Zec 7:13,14.

Cross References

• 1. S Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 42:5; Zechariah 8:16
• 2. S Deuteronomy 22:1
• 3. Jeremiah 49:11
• 4. S Exodus 22:21
• 5. S Leviticus 25:17; Isaiah 1:23
• 6. S Exodus 22:22; S Job 35:8; S Isaiah 1:17; S Ezekiel 45:9; S Micah 6:8
• 7. S Isaiah 9:9
• 8. S Jeremiah 32:33
• 9. S Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 8:5; Jeremiah 11:10; S Jeremiah 17:23; S Ezekiel 5:6
• 10. S Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 17:1; S Ezekiel 11:19
• 11. S Nehemiah 9:29
• 12. S Jeremiah 42:21; S Daniel 9:12
• 13. S Jeremiah 7:27; Proverbs 1:24
• 14. Isaiah 1:15; S Jeremiah 11:11; Jeremiah 14:12; S Micah 3:4
• 15. S Proverbs 1:28; S Lamentations 3:44; S Ezekiel 20:31