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Zechariah 7:10

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 7:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.
Zechariah 7:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7[Should ye] not [hear] the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?
8And the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah, saying,
9Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother;
10and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.
11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
12Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore there came great wrath from Jehovah of hosts.
13And it is come to pass that, as he cried, and they would not hear, so they shall cry, and I will not hear, said Jehovah of hosts;
← Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor, etc.] Such as have no husband to provide for them, nor father and mother to care for them, and are in a strange land, where they have no friends or acquaintance, and are poor, and can not help themselves. Laws of this kind were frequently inculcated among the Jews; (see <052414> Deuteronomy 24:14,17): and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart; thoughts of evil are sinful, and forbidden by the law of God, as well as actions, which agrees with our Lord’s sense of the law, (<400522>Matthew 5:22,28), (see <031917>Leviticus 19:17).”
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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
“imagine evil--that is, devise evil. The Septuagint takes it, Harbor not the desire of revenge (Lev 19:18). "Devise evil against one another" is simpler (Psa 36:4; Mic 2:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And oppress not - He had commanded positive acts of love; he now forbids every sort of unlove. “He that oppresseth the poor,” Solomon had said, “reproacheth his Maker. The widow, the orphan, the stranger, the afflicted” Proverbs 24:31, are, throughout the law, the special objects of God’s care. This was the condition which God made by Jeremiah; “If ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; if ye oppress not the stranger the fatherless and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt, then will I cause you to dwell in this, place” Jeremiah 7:5-7. It was on the breach of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Imagine evil - Neither think ill of, or with ill to, nor plot evil against one another. Zechariah 7:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:10 Widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor often did not have access to the legal protection afforded the average citizen (cp. Deut 24:14, 17-18). Fasting and social justice should go hand in hand (see Isa 58:6-7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“oppress: Exo 22:21-24, Exo 23:9; Deu 24:14-18, Deu 27:19; Psa 72:4; Pro 22:22, Pro 22:23, Pro 23:10; Pro 23:11; Isa 1:16, Isa 1:17, Isa 1:23; Jer 5:28, Jer 22:15-17; Eze 22:7, Eze 22:12, Eze 22:29; Amo 4:1, Amo 5:11, Amo 5:12; Mic 2:1-3, Mic 3:1-4; Zep 3:1-3; Mal 3:5; Mat 23:14; Co1 6:10; Jam 5:4 imagine: Psa 21:11, Psa 36:4, Psa 140:2; Pro 3:29, Pro 6:18; Jer 11:19, Jer 11:20, Jer 18:18; Mic 2:1; Mar 7:21-23; Jam 1:14, Jam 1:15; Jo1 3:15 Zechariah 7:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification