Zechariah 7:1-9

1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Darius that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu,

2 when they had sent Sherezer and Regemmelech and their men unto the house of God to pray before the LORD,

3 and to speak unto the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, "Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself as I have done these so many years?"

4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,

5 "Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, `When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month even those seventy years, did ye fast at all unto Me, even to Me?

6 And when ye ate and when ye drank, did not ye eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?'"

8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,

9 "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, `Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother.

Zechariah 7:1-9 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.