5 Speak H559 unto all the people H5971 of the land, H776 and to the priests, H3548 saying, H559 When ye fasted H6684 and mourned H5594 in the fifth H2549 and seventh H7637 month, even those seventy H7657 years, H8141 did ye at all H6684 fast H6684 unto me, even to me?
Then the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 answered H6030 and said, H559 O LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 how long wilt thou not have mercy H7355 on Jerusalem H3389 and on the cities H5892 of Judah, H3063 against which thou hast had indignation H2194 these threescore and ten H7657 years? H8141
And to speak H559 unto the priests H3548 which were in the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 and to the prophets, H5030 saying, H559 Should I weep H1058 in the fifth H2549 month, H2320 separating H5144 myself, as I have done H6213 these so many years? H8141
To what H4100 purpose is the multitude H7230 of your sacrifices H2077 unto me? saith H559 the LORD: H3068 I am full H7646 of the burnt offerings H5930 of rams, H352 and the fat H2459 of fed beasts; H4806 and I delight H2654 not in the blood H1818 of bullocks, H6499 or of lambs, H3532 or of he goats. H6260 When ye come H935 to appear H7200 before H6440 me, who hath required H1245 this at your hand, H3027 to tread H7429 my courts? H2691
Moreover G1161 when G3752 ye fast, G3522 be G1096 not, G3361 as G5618 the hypocrites, G5273 of a sad countenance: G4659 for G1063 they disfigure G853 their G846 faces, G4383 that G3704 they may appear G5316 unto men G444 to fast. G3522 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 They have G568 their G846 reward. G3408
Whether G1535 therefore G3767 ye eat, G2068 or G1535 drink, G4095 or G1535 whatsoever G5100 ye do, G4160 do G4160 all G3956 to G1519 the glory G1391 of God. G2316
For G1063 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 is G2076 not G3756 meat G1035 and G2532 drink; G4213 but G235 righteousness, G1343 and G2532 peace, G1515 and G2532 joy G5479 in G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151 For G1063 he that in G1722 these things G5125 serveth G1398 Christ G5547 is acceptable G2101 to God, G2316 and G2532 approved G1384 of men. G444
He that regardeth G5426 the day, G2250 regardeth G5426 it unto the Lord; G2962 and G2532 he that regardeth G5426 not G3361 the day, G2250 to the Lord G2962 he doth G5426 not G3756 regard G5426 it. He that eateth, G2068 eateth G2068 to the Lord, G2962 for G1063 he giveth God G2316 thanks; G2168 and G2532 he that eateth G2068 not, G3361 to the Lord G2962 he eateth G2068 not, G3756 and G2532 giveth God G2316 thanks. G2168 For G1063 none G3762 of us G2257 liveth G2198 to himself, G1438 and G2532 no man G3762 dieth G599 to himself. G1438 For G1063 whether G1437 G5037 we live, G2198 we live G2198 unto the Lord; G2962 and whether G1437 G5037 we die, G599 we die G599 unto the Lord: G2962 whether G1437 G5037 we live G2198 therefore, G3767 or G1437 G5037 die, G599 we are G2070 the Lord's. G2962 For G1063 to G1519 this G5124 end Christ G5547 both G2532 died, G599 and G2532 rose, G450 and G2532 revived, G326 that G2443 he might be Lord G2961 both G2532 of the dead G3498 and G2532 living. G2198
But G1161 all G3956 their G846 works G2041 they do G4160 for G4314 to be seen G2300 of men: G444 G1161 they make broad G4115 their G846 phylacteries, G5440 and G2532 enlarge G3170 the borders G2899 of their G846 garments, G2440
And when all the captains H8269 of the armies, H2428 they and their men, H582 heard H8085 that the king H4428 of Babylon H894 had made Gedaliah H1436 governor, H6485 there came H935 to Gedaliah H1436 to Mizpah, H4709 even Ishmael H3458 the son H1121 of Nethaniah, H5418 and Johanan H3110 the son H1121 of Careah, H7143 and Seraiah H8304 the son H1121 of Tanhumeth H8576 the Netophathite, H5200 and Jaazaniah H2970 the son H1121 of a Maachathite, H4602 they and their men. H582
And G2532 when G3752 thou prayest, G4336 thou shalt G2071 not G3756 be G2071 as G5618 the hypocrites G5273 are: for G3754 they love G5368 to pray G4336 standing G2476 in G1722 the synagogues G4864 and G2532 in G1722 the corners G1137 of the streets, G4113 that G3704 they may G302 be seen G5316 of men. G444 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 They have G568 their G846 reward. G3408
Therefore G3767 when G3752 thou doest G4160 thine alms, G1654 do G4537 not G3361 sound a trumpet G4537 before G1715 thee, G4675 as G5618 the hypocrites G5273 do G4160 in G1722 the synagogues G4864 and G2532 in G1722 the streets, G4505 that G3704 they may have glory G1392 of G5259 men. G444 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 They have G568 their G846 reward. G3408
Let your G5216 light G5457 so G3779 shine G2989 before G1715 men, G444 that G3704 they may see G1492 your G5216 good G2570 works, G2041 and G2532 glorify G1392 your G5216 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772 Think G3543 not G3361 that G3754 I am come G2064 to destroy G2647 the law, G3551 or G2228 the prophets: G4396 I am G2064 not G3756 come G2064 to destroy, G2647 but G235 to fulfil. G4137 For G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Till G2193 G302 heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 pass, G3928 one G1520 jot G2503 or G2228 one G3391 tittle G2762 shall in no wise G3364 pass G3928 from G575 the law, G3551 till G2193 G302 all G3956 be fulfilled. G1096
Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts; H6635 The fast H6685 of the fourth H7243 month, and the fast H6685 of the fifth, H2549 and the fast H6685 of the seventh, H7637 and the fast H6685 of the tenth, H6224 shall be to the house H1004 of Judah H3063 joy H8342 and gladness, H8057 and cheerful H2896 feasts; H4150 therefore love H157 the truth H571 and peace. H7965
And when ye did eat, H398 and when ye did drink, H8354 did not ye eat H398 for yourselves, and drink H8354 for yourselves?
Now it came to pass in the seventh H7637 month, H2320 that Ishmael H3458 the son H1121 of Nethaniah H5418 the son H1121 of Elishama, H476 of the seed H2233 royal, H4410 and the princes H7227 of the king, H4428 even ten H6235 men H582 with him, came H935 unto Gedaliah H1436 the son H1121 of Ahikam H296 to Mizpah; H4709 and there they did eat H398 bread H3899 together H3162 in Mizpah. H4708 Then arose H6965 Ishmael H3458 the son H1121 of Nethaniah, H5418 and the ten H6235 men H582 that were with him, and smote H5221 Gedaliah H1436 the son H1121 of Ahikam H296 the son H1121 of Shaphan H8227 with the sword, H2719 and slew H4191 him, whom the king H4428 of Babylon H894 had made governor H6485 over the land. H776 Ishmael H3458 also slew H5221 all the Jews H3064 that were with him, even with Gedaliah, H1436 at Mizpah, H4709 and the Chaldeans H3778 that were found H4672 there, and the men H582 of war. H4421 And it came to pass the second H8145 day H3117 after he had slain H4191 Gedaliah, H1436 and no man H376 knew H3045 it,
Behold, ye fast H6684 for strife H7379 and debate, H4683 and to smite H5221 with the fist H106 of wickedness: H7562 ye shall not fast H6684 as ye do this day, H3117 to make your voice H6963 to be heard H8085 on high. H4791 Is it such a fast H6685 that I have chosen? H977 a day H3117 for a man H120 to afflict H6031 his soul? H5315 is it to bow down H3721 his head H7218 as a bulrush, H100 and to spread H3331 sackcloth H8242 and ashes H665 under him? wilt thou call H7121 this H2088 a fast, H6685 and an acceptable H7522 day H3117 to the LORD? H3068 Is not this the fast H6685 that I have chosen? H977 to loose H6605 the bands H2784 of wickedness, H7562 to undo H5425 the heavy H4133 burdens, H92 and to let the oppressed H7533 go H7971 free, H2670 and that ye break H5423 every yoke? H4133
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Zechariah 7
Commentary on Zechariah 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 7
Zec 7:1-14. II. Didactic Part, Seventh and Eighth chapters. Obedience, Rather than Fasting, Enjoined: Its Reward.
1. fourth year of … Darius—two years after the previous prophecies (Zec 1:1, &c.).
Chisleu—meaning "torpidity," the state in which nature is in November, answering to this month.
2. they … sent unto … house of God—The Jews of the country sent to the house of God or congregation at Jerusalem. The altar was long since reared (Ezr 3:3), though the temple was not completed till two years afterwards (Ezr 6:15). The priests' duty was to give decision on points of the law (De 17:9; Mt 2:4). Beth-el is here used instead of Beth-Jehovah, because the religious authorities, rather than the house itself (designated "Beth-Jehovah" in Zec 7:3), are intended. The old Beth-el had long ceased to be the seat of idol-worship, so that the name had lost its opprobrious meaning. "The house of the Lord" is used for the congregation of worshippers headed by their priests (Zec 3:7; Ho 8:1). Maurer makes the "house of God" nominative to "sent." Henderson makes "Beth-el" so.
Sherezer—an Assyrian name meaning, "Prefect of the treasury."
Regemmelech—meaning, "The king's official." These names perhaps intimate the semi-heathen character of the inquirers, which may also be implied in the name "Beth-el" (Hebrew for "house of God"), so notorious once for its calf-worship. They sent to Jehovah's house as their forefathers sent to old Beth-el, not in the spirit of true obedience.
pray before the Lord—literally, "to entreat the face of," that is, to offer sacrifices, the accompaniment of prayers, to conciliate His favor (1Sa 13:12).
3. Should I weep in the fifth month—"I" represents here the people of God (compare Zec 8:21). This rather favors Maurer's view, taking "the house of God," the congregation, as nominative to "sent." Their hypocrisy appeared because they showed more concern about a ceremony of human institution (not improper in itself) than about moral obedience. If, too, they had trusted God's promise as to the restoration of Church and State, the fast would have now given place to joy, for which there was more cause than for grief [Pembellus].
to the prophets—Haggai and Zechariah especially. The tenth day of the fifth month was kept a fast, being the anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem (Jer 52:12-14). They ask, Should the fast be continued, now that the temple and city are being restored?
separating myself—sanctifying myself by separation, not only from food, but from all defilements (compare Joe 2:16) as was usual in a solemn fast.
5. Speak unto all—The question had been asked in the name of the people in general by Sherezer and Regemmelech. The self-imposed fast they were tired of, not having observed it in the spirit of true religion.
seventh month—This fast was in memory of the murder of Gedaliah and those with him at Mizpah, issuing in the dispersion of the Jews (2Ki 25:25, 26; Jer 41:1-3).
did ye … fast unto me?—No; it was to gratify yourselves in hypocritical will-worship. If it had been "unto Me," ye would have "separated yourselves" not only from food, but from your sins (Isa 58:3-7). They falsely made the fast an end intrinsically meritorious in itself, not a means towards God's glory in their sanctification. The true principle of piety, reference to God, was wanting: hence the emphatic repetition of "unto Me." Before settling questions as to the outward forms of piety (however proper, as in this case), the great question was as to piety itself; that being once settled, all their outward observances become sanctified, being "unto the Lord" (Ro 14:6).
6. did not ye eat for yourselves?—literally, "Is it not ye who eat?" that is, it is not unto Me and My glory. It tends no more to My glory, your feasting than your fasting.
7. Should ye not hear the words—rather, "Should ye not do the words," as their question naturally was as to what they should do (Zec 7:3); "hearing" is not mentioned till Zec 7:12. The sense is, It is not fasts that Jehovah requires of you, but that ye should keep His precepts given to you at the time when Jerusalem was in its integrity. Had ye done so then, ye would have had no occasion to institute fasts to commemorate its destruction, for it would never have been destroyed (Zec 7:9-14) [Maurer]. Or, as the Margin, "Are not these the words" of the older prophets (Isa 58:3; Jer 14:12) which threatened a curse for disobedience, which the event has so awfully confirmed. If ye follow them in sin, ye must follow them in suffering. English Version is good sense: Ye inquire anxiously about the fasts, whereas ye ought to be anxious about hearing the lesson taught by the former prophets and verified in the nation's punishment; penitence and obedience are required rather than fasts.
the plain—southwest of Jerusalem. They then inhabited securely the region most unguarded.
9. 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.
10. imagine evil—that is, devise evil. The Septuagint takes it, Harbor not the desire of revenge (Le 19:18). "Devise evil against one another" is simpler (Ps 36:4; Mic 2:1).
11. pulled away the shoulder—literally, "presented a refractory shoulder"; an image from beasts refusing to bear the yoke (Ne 9:29, Margin).
stopped … ears—(Isa 6:10; Jer 7:26; Ac 7:57).
12. hearts … adamant—(Eze 3:9; 11:19).
Lord … sent in Spirit by … prophets—that is, sent by the former prophets inspired with His Spirit.
therefore … great wrath—(2Ch 36:16). As they pushed from them the yoke of obedience, God laid on them the yoke of oppression. As they made their heart hard as adamant, God brake their hard hearts with judgments. Hard hearts must expect hard treatment. The harder the stone, the harder the blow of the hammer to break it.
13. he cried—by His prophets.
they cried—in their calamities.
I … not hear—retribution in kind (Pr 1:24-26; Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4).
14. whirlwind—of wrath (Na 1:3).
nations whom they knew not—foreign and barbarous.
desolate after them—after their expulsion and exile. It was ordered remarkably by God's providence, that no occupants took possession of it, but that during the Jews' absence it was reserved for them against their return after seventy years.
they laid … desolate—The Jews did so by their sins. The blame of their destruction lay with themselves, rather than with the Babylonians (2Ch 36:21).
pleasant land—Canaan. Literally, "the land of desire" (Jer 3:19).