BibleWord.ai› Bible› Zechariah› Chapter 7› Verse 4

Zechariah 7:4

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 7:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying,
Zechariah 7:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, even in Chislev.
2Now [they of] Beth-el had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to entreat the favor of Jehovah,
3[and] to speak unto the priests of the house of Jehovah of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
4Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying,
5Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh [month], even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
6And when ye eat, and when ye drink, do not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
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?
← Zechariah 7:3Zechariah 7:5 →
← Full Chapter 7 Zechariah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying.] Upon the sending of this embassy, and upon putting this question.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:4-7 Rather than answering the question right away, Zechariah first confronted his hearers with their selfish motives and hypocrisy. The most important issue was whether or not their heart’s desire was really to please God and do his will; if not, it made no difference whether or not they kept a fast.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lord of hosts: Isa 10:16 Zechariah 7:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The first of these four words of God contains an exposure of what might be unwarrantable in the question and its motives, and open to disapproval. Zac 7:4. "And the word of Jehovah of hosts came to me thus, Zac 7:5. Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh (month), and that for seventy years, did ye, when fasting, fast to me? Zac 7:6. And when ye eat, and when ye drink, is it not ye who eat, and ye who drink? Zac 7:7. Does it not concern the words, which Jehovah has preached through the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and satisfied, and her towns round about her, and the south country and the low…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Zechariah 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification