Zechariah 7:5

Translations

Modern

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?

Traditional

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

Literal

“Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh months, and these seventy years, were you truly fasting for Me?

Latin

Loquere ad omnem populum terræ, et ad sacerdotes, dicens: Cum jejunaretis, et plangeretis in quinto et septimo per hos septuaginta annos, numquid jejunium jejunastis mihi?

Original

Hebrew

English

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?

Notes

Zechariah 7:5

Jeremiah said that 70 years of exile in Babylon (see Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10) would compensate for the Sabbath years of rest that the land missed for nearly 500 years (2 Chronicles 36:21; see Exodus 23:10–11; Leviticus 26:34–35).
The summer fast mourned the destruction of Solomon’s temple (Zechariah 7:3), while the early autumn fast either marked the assassination of Gedaliah, governor of Judah (see 2 Kings 25:22–25; Jeremiah 41:1–3), or it was the day of atonement (Leviticus 23:26–32).

Zechariah 7:4–7

Instead of answering immediately, Zechariah challenged his listeners about their selfish motives and hypocrisy. The key issue was whether their true desire was to please God and follow his will. If not, fasting did not matter.

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

Religious Hypocrisy

Events

Prophecies of Zechariahc. 520 BC

Related verses

Zechariah 1:12
Then the angel of the LORD said, “How long, O LORD of Hosts, will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been angry these seventy years?”
Isaiah 58:4–6
You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high.
Matthew 5:16–18
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
Isaiah 1:11–12
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
Zechariah 7:6
And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?
Zechariah 7:3
…by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, “Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, as I have done these many years?”
Matthew 6:2
So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,
Romans 14:6–9
He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Romans 14:17–18
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Glossary

Prophecy Zechariah (Person) Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Christian Minister: Priests and Levites Fasting: should be to God Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Seventy: The Jews in Captivity in Babylon for Seventy Years

Zechariah 7:5

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Original?

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Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics