Zechariah 1:7

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 1:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,
Zechariah 1:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, etc.] Called Sabat in the Septuagint version, and in the Apocrypha: ''Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat:” (1 Maccabees 16:14) It is said by the Jewsf7 to be the beginning of the months of the year for trees, of which they bring the first fruits. It answers to part of our January, and part of February. This is the first time that the name of a month is mentioned by any of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The general plan of the nine following visions (Zec. 1:8-6:15) is first to present the symbol; then, on a question being put, to subjoin the interpretation. Though the visions are distinct, they form one grand whole, presented in one night to the prophet's mind, two or three months after the prophet's first commission (Zac 1:1). Sebat--the eleventh month of the Jewish year, from the new moon in February to the new moon in March. The term is Chaldee, meaning a "shoot," namely, the month when trees begin to shoot or bud.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the twenty-fourth day - Exactly five months after the building of the temple was resumed Haggai 2:15, and two months after Haggai’s last prophecy Haggai 2:20. The series of visions, leading onward, from the first deliverance from the enemies who oppressed them, to the Coming of Christ, is given as a reward to their first whole-hearted endeavor to restore their worship of Him. The visions are called the “word of the Lord,” because they were prophecy, made visible to the eye, conveying the revelation to the soul, and in part explained by Him. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:7–6:15 These eight visions addressed the Judeans’ fears that prevented them from responding in faith to God’s promises. These visions, which occurred two months after Haggai’s final two messages (Hag 2:10-19, 20-23), suggest that Haggai’s prophecies were being fulfilled. 1:7-17 Zechariah’s first vision depicts God’s concern for Jerusalem (1:7-15), followed by a response (1:16-17) that confirmed God’s intentions to rebuild his Temple and restore the city’s prosperity.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 3845, bc 519 the eleventh: Zac 1:1 Sebat: Sebat is the Chaldee name of the eleventh month of the ecclesiastical year, but the fifth of the civil year, answering to part of January and February. Zechariah 1:8”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Three months after his call to be a prophet through the first word of God that was addressed to him, Zechariah received a comprehensive revelation concerning the future fate of the people and kingdom of God, in a series of visions, which were given him to behold in a single night, and were interpreted by an angel. This took place, according to Zac 1:7, "on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, i.e., the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius," that is to say, exactly five months after the building of the temple had been resumed ( Hag 1:15), with which fact the choice of the day for the divine revelation was evidently connected, and two months after the last promise issued through…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification