Zechariah Chapter 7

“And it came to pass, in the fourth year of King Darius, etc.] Near two years after the foundation of the temple was laid, (<370210>Haggai 2:10,18) and near two years before it was finished, (<150615>Ezra 6:15) when the work was going forward, and there was a great deal of reason to believe it would be completed: [that] the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu: which answers to part of our October, and part of November.”

“II. DIDACTIC PART, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH CHAPTERS. OBEDIENCE, RATHER THAN FASTING, ENJOINED: ITS REWARD. (Zac 7:1-14) fourth year of . . . Darius--two years after the previous prophecies (Zac 1:1, &c.). Chisleu--meaning "torpidity," the state in which nature is in November, answering to this month.”

“In the fourth year of Darius - Two years after the series of visions, shown to him, and two years before the completion of the temple. Chisleu being December, it was the end of 518 b.c. return to 'Top of Page'”

“When they - The captives who still continued in Babylon. The house of God - The temple, which now half built began to be frequented. Regem - melech - It appears not who these were, but no doubt they were eminent in dignity and piety. Their men - The train of friends that accompanied them. To pray - To intreat the Lord for pardon of what was past, acceptance of them at present, and an answer to their enquiry. Zechariah 7:3”

“7:1–8:23 These sermons provide a transition between the visions of the present (chs 1–6) and those of the near future (chs 9–11) and the more distant future (chs 12–14). Chapter 7 discusses fasting over past disasters; chapter 8 focuses on feasting over future blessings. 7:1-14 Zechariah’s sermons were prompted by delegates from Bethel who posed a practical question (7:2-3). Although Zechariah answered the question later (8:18-19), he responded first with rhetorical questions that focused on the people’s self-centered motives (7:5-6). Zechariah then outlined God’s expectations for Israel (7:8-10; see Jer 22:3)…”

“the fourth: Zac 1:1; Ezr 6:14, Ezr 6:15; Hag 2:10, Hag 2:20 Chisleu: Answering to part of November and part of December. Neh 1:1 Zechariah 7:2”

“Zac 7:1-3 describe the occasion for this instructive and consolatory "word of God," which was addressed to Zechariah in the fourth year of Darius, i.e., two years after the building of the temple was resumed, and two years before its completion, and therefore at a time when the building must have been far advanced, and the temple itself was possibly already finished in the rough. Zac 7:1. "It came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came to Zechariah, on the fourth (day) of the ninth month, in Kislev." In this definition of the time we are surprised first of all at the…”