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Zechariah 7:9

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 7:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother;
Zechariah 7:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
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.
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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
“Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, etc.] The same things as he had before; for the things following are ever in force, and always to be attended to, and to be regarded and preferred before anything merely ritual and ceremonial; and especially before the traditions and commandments of men, of which nature the above fasts were: Execute true judgment; or, “judge judgmentf150 of truth”; this is addressed to the judges of the people, that when any cause came before them between man and man, that they would judge righteously, according to the law of God; and, without respect to persons, pass sentence as the truth of the case required: and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother;…”
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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
“speaketh--implying that these precepts addressed to their ancestors were the requirements of Jehovah not merely then, but now. We must not only not hurt, but we must help our fellow men. God is pleased with such loving obedience, rather than with empty ceremonies.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thus spake the Lord - that is, through the former prophets, for he goes on to speak of their rejection in the past. “Execute true judgment.” He retains the words of Ezekiel. The injunction itself runs throughout the prophets. “Shew mercy” (as Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 58:6-7; Jeremiah 7:5; Ezekiel 18:8; Hosea 12:6, etc.), that is, tender love, to all; compassion, to the unhappy. Omit no act of love, God so loves the loving. Lap.: “Like Paul to the Romans Romans 13:9, he names only the duties to the neighbor, but understands what relates to God. For the love of our neighbor presupposes the love of God, from which it springs.” Jerome: “After strictness of justice, let mercy to all…”
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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
“Spake - To your fathers. Zechariah 7:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“saying: Zac 7:7, Zac 8:16, Zac 8:17; Lev 19:15, Lev 19:35-37; Deu 10:18, Deu 10:19, Deu 15:7-14, Deu 16:18-20; Psa 82:2-4; Pro 21:3; Isa 58:6-10; Jer 7:5, Jer 7:23; Eze 45:9; Hos 10:12, Hos 10:13; Amo 5:24; Mic 6:8; Mat 23:23; Luk 11:42; Jam 2:13-17 Execute true judgment: Heb. Judge judgment of truth, Jer 21:12 \*marg. Joh 7:51 Zechariah 7:10”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification