Zechariah 7:10

Translations

Modern

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Traditional

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

Literal

…and the widow and fatherless, the sojourner and the poor, you shall not oppress; and you shall not devise in your heart the evil of a man against his brother!’

Latin

Et viduam, et pupillum, et advenam, et pauperem nolite calumniari: et malum vir fratri suo non cogitet in corde suo.

Original

Hebrew

English

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’

Notes

Zechariah 7:10

Widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor often lacked the legal protection that the average citizen had (compare Deuteronomy 24:14, 17–18). Fasting and social justice should work together (see Isaiah 58:6–7).

Zechariah 7:1–14

Representatives from Bethel asked Zechariah a practical question (Zechariah 7:2–3). Although he answered it later (Zechariah 8:18–19), he first asked rhetorical questions about the people's selfish motives (7:5–6). Zechariah then explained God's expectations for Israel (Zechariah 7:8–10; see Jeremiah 22:3) and described what happened to those who disobeyed before (Zechariah 7:11–14).

Zechariah 7:1–8:23

These sermons provide a transition between the visions of the present (chapters 1–6) and those of the near future (chapters 9–11) and the more distant future (chapters 12–14).

Chapter 7 talks about fasting due to past disasters. Chapter 8 focuses on feasting for future blessings.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Justice Returning to the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 5:28
They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.
Proverbs 22:22–23
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
Psalm 21:11
Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail.
James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Isaiah 1:16–17
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
Deuteronomy 27:19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.
Psalm 72:4
May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
Ezekiel 22:7
Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.
James 1:14–15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
Amos 5:11–12
Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.

Glossary

Mercy Orphan Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Compassion to Others Fatherless: Oppress Not Immigration Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Kindness: General Scriptures Concerning Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Oppression: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Poor: Duty To Rulers: Duties of Social Injustice Social Justice The Poor: Oppress Not Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widows: should not Be: Oppressed

Zechariah 7:10

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics