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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Zechariah 7:5 "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?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zechariah/7-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/38_Zec_07_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zechariah 7:5 - A Call to Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/zechariah/7-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/zechariah/7-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/zechariah/">Zechariah</a> > <a href="/zechariah/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm" title="Zechariah 7:4">◄</a> Zechariah 7:5 <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm" title="Zechariah 7:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/zechariah/7.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Ask all the people of the land and the priests, &#8216When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? <a href="/esv/zechariah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? <a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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? <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/zechariah/7.htm">New King James Version</a> “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? <a href="/nasb_/zechariah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, &#8216When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? <a href="/nasb77/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? <a href="/lsb/zechariah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? <a href="/amp/zechariah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years [that you were in exile], was it actually for Me that you fasted? <a href="/csb/zechariah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Ask all the people of the land and the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for me? <a href="/hcsb/zechariah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Ask all the people of the land and the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh months for these 70 years, did you really fast for Me? <a href="/asv/zechariah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Speak 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? <a href="/erv/zechariah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Speak 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? <a href="/gwt/zechariah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Tell all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these past 70 years, did you really do it for me? <a href="/gnt/zechariah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> He said, "Tell the people of the land and the priests that when they fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during these seventy years, it was not in honor of me. <a href="/isv/zechariah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Talk to everyone in the land, as well as to the priests. Ask them, 'When you were fasting and mourning during the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, were you really fasting for me? <a href="/msb/zechariah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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? <a href="/net/zechariah/7.htm">NET Bible</a> "Speak to all the people and priests of the land as follows: 'When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and seventh months through all these seventy years, did you truly fast for me--for me, indeed? <a href="/nheb/zechariah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "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 month for these seventy years, did you at all fast to me, really to me? <a href="/wbt/zechariah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Speak to 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 to me, even to me? <a href="/web/zechariah/7.htm">World English Bible</a> “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 month for these seventy years, did you at all fast to me, really to me? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/zechariah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, <a href="/ylt/zechariah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Speak unto all the people of the land, and unto the priests, saying: <a href="/slt/zechariah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh, and this seventy years, fasting, fasted ye to me, me?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/zechariah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying: When you fasted, and mourned in the fifth and the seventh month for these seventy years: did you keep a fast unto me? <a href="/cpdv/zechariah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying: Although you may have fasted and mourned in the fifth and the seventh month for these seventy years, did you indeed keep a fast unto me? <a href="/nabre/zechariah/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Say to all the people of the land and to the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and in the seventh month these seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? <a href="/nrsvce/zechariah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Say to all the people of the land and the priests: When you fasted and lamented in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/zechariah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months, for these seventy years, did you at all fast to me? <a href="/hpbt/zechariah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Say to all the people of the land and to the Priests: “When you fasted and you made lamentation in the fifth month and the seventh, behold, seventy years, were you fasting a fast for me?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/zechariah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Speak 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? <a href="/sep/zechariah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Speak to the whole people of the land, and to the priests, saying, Though ye fasted or lamented in the fifth or seventh months (yea, behold, these seventy years) have ye at all fasted to me? <a href="/parallel/zechariah/7-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFPk_KgOyMk?start=908" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">A Call to Justice and Mercy</a> …4Then the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying, 5<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ĕ·mōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">“Ask</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-msc) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">and the priests,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">‘When</a> <a href="/hebrew/6684.htm" title="6684: ṣam·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To abstain from food, fast. A primitive root; to cover over, i.e. To fast.">you fasted</a> <a href="/hebrew/5594.htm" title="5594: wə·sā·p̄ō·wḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts; generally to lament; by implication, to wail.">and mourned</a> <a href="/hebrew/2549.htm" title="2549: ba·ḥă·mî·šî (Prep-b, Art:: Number-oms) -- Fifth. Or chamishshiy; ord. From chamesh; fifth; also a fifth.">in the fifth</a> <a href="/hebrew/7637.htm" title="7637: ū·ḇaš·šə·ḇî·‘î (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: Number-oms) -- Seventh (an ord. number). Or shbi iy; ordinal from shib'iym. seventh.">and seventh months</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: wə·zeh (Conj-w:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">for these</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šiḇ·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">seventy</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ā·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">was it really for Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/6684.htm" title="6684: hă·ṣō·wm (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To abstain from food, fast. A primitive root; to cover over, i.e. To fast.">that you fasted?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6684.htm" title="6684: ṣam·tu·nî (V-Qal-Perf-2mp:: 1cs) -- To abstain from food, fast. A primitive root; to cover over, i.e. To fast."></a> 6And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-7</a> “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / 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. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? ... <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a> 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. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “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. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ... <a href="/jeremiah/14-12.htm">Jeremiah 14:12</a> Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.” <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/mark/2-18.htm">Mark 2:18-20</a> Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a> To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ... <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a> If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a> Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Romans 14:6</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Speak to all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did you at all fast to me, even to me?When.<a href="/isaiah/58-5.htm">Isaiah 58:5</a> Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?seventh.<a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Zechariah 8:19</a> Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.<a href="/2_kings/25-23.htm">2 Kings 25:23</a> And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.<a href="/jeremiah/41-1.htm">Jeremiah 41:1-4</a> Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah… seventy.<a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3</a> And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?<a href="/zechariah/1-12.htm">Zechariah 1:12</a> Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?<a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11</a> And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.did.<a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Zechariah 7:6</a> And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11,12</a> To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats… <a href="/isaiah/58-4.htm">Isaiah 58:4-6</a> Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Fasted</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-10.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Month</a> <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">Months</a> <a href="/amos/8-8.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Past</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-9.htm">Really</a> <a href="/haggai/2-1.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-12.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Fasted</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-2.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Month</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Months</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-12.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-11.htm">Past</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/mark/11-32.htm">Really</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Seventh</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-16.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Zechariah 7</div>1. <a href="/zechariah/7-1.htm">The captives enquire concerning the set fasts.</a> 4. <a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm">Zechariah reproves the hypocrisy of their fasting.</a> 8. <a href="/zechariah/7-8.htm">Sin the cause of their captivity.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zechariah/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zechariah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/zechariah/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Ask all the people of the land and the priests This phrase indicates a directive from God to Zechariah to address both the common people and the religious leaders. The inclusion of both groups emphasizes the universal nature of the message and the accountability of all societal levels. In the post-exilic period, the priests held significant influence in guiding the spiritual and communal life of the people. This call to inquiry suggests a need for introspection and communal reflection, highlighting the importance of sincerity in religious practices.When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months The fifth and seventh months refer to specific times of fasting and mourning observed by the Israelites. The fast in the fifth month commemorated the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, while the fast in the seventh month likely related to the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by the Babylonians, which led to further calamity for the Jewish remnant. These fasts were part of a broader tradition of lamentation and reflection on national tragedies. The historical context underscores the deep sense of loss and the desire for restoration that characterized the post-exilic community.for these seventy years The seventy years mentioned here refer to the period of Babylonian exile, a time of punishment and purification for the people of Israel due to their disobedience and idolatry. This timeframe aligns with the prophecy given by Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11-12</a>), which foretold the duration of the exile. The completion of these seventy years marked a significant turning point, as the people returned to their land and began rebuilding the Temple, symbolizing a new era of hope and renewal.was it really for Me that you fasted? This rhetorical question challenges the sincerity and motivation behind the people's religious observances. It calls into question whether their fasting was genuinely directed towards God or merely a ritualistic practice devoid of true devotion. This echoes the prophetic theme found in <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-7</a>, where God critiques superficial religious acts that lack justice and compassion. The inquiry serves as a reminder that true worship involves heartfelt obedience and a genuine relationship with God, rather than mere external observance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/z/zechariah.htm">Zechariah</a> A prophet who ministered to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages to encourage the rebuilding of the temple and spiritual renewal. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_the_land.htm">The People of the Land</a> Refers to the Jewish community that returned from exile and were involved in rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_priests.htm">The Priests</a> Religious leaders responsible for temple worship and guiding the people in spiritual matters. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fasting_in_the_fifth_and_seventh_months.htm">Fasting in the Fifth and Seventh Months</a> These fasts commemorated the destruction of the temple and other calamities during the Babylonian conquest. 5. <a href="/topical/s/seventy_years.htm">Seventy Years</a> The period of Babylonian exile, during which the Jewish people were away from their homeland and the temple lay in ruins.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_worship_and_intentions.htm">True Worship and Intentions</a> God desires sincerity in worship. Our religious practices, like fasting, should be done with the right heart and intention, focusing on God rather than mere ritual. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Regularly examine your motives in spiritual disciplines. Are they for God's glory or for personal or social gain? <a href="/topical/h/historical_reflection_and_spiritual_growth.htm">Historical Reflection and Spiritual Growth</a> Reflect on past spiritual practices and their impact. Use historical lessons to grow in genuine faith and devotion. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership_accountability.htm">Community and Leadership Accountability</a> Both the people and leaders are accountable to God. Encourage mutual accountability in spiritual practices within your community. <a href="/topical/a/aligning_rituals_with_righteousness.htm">Aligning Rituals with Righteousness</a> Ensure that religious rituals align with a life of righteousness and justice, as God values these over mere tradition.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zechariah_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 7</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_70_years_fasting.htm">Zechariah 7:5 mentions seventy years of fasting; is there archaeological or historical evidence to confirm the exact duration of this period? </a> <a href="/q/why_question_sincerity_if_god_is_all-knowing.htm">If God is all-knowing, why would Zechariah 7:5–6 question whether the people were sincerely fasting for Him? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_60_12_match_history.htm">How does Isaiah 60:12 align with historical events when it asserts nations refusing to serve Jerusalem will be utterly destroyed?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_hauntings.htm">What are the prophecies about Jesus in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zechariah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - Unto all the people of the land. The message was not for Bethel only, but for all the restored Jews, for whose satisfaction the question had been asked. And to the priests. The prophet was to make known to the priests God's will in this matter, it not being a mere ritual question. Fifth month (see note on ver. 3). The original question referred only to this fast; the answer embraces also another fast appointed by human authority. The seventh month. This fast was instituted in consequence of the murder of Gedaliah, B.C. 587, just seventy years ago, when the greater part of the remnant of the Jews, contrary to the prophet's warning, fled into Egypt to escape the punishment of the crime (<a href="/2_kings/25-25.htm">2 Kings 25:25, 26</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/41-2.htm">Jeremiah 41:2, 16</a>, etc.). Did ye at all fast unto me? It was not by God's command, or to do him honor, that they fasted; not from hearty repentance or sorrow for the sins which had brought ruin upon their city and country; but from vexation at the calamity itself, and in a self-righteous spirit, with some idea of gaining merit by this punishment of the body; and God was not constrained by this formal observance to show them favour. Even to me. (For the forcible repetition of the pronoun, comp. <a href="/genesis/27-34.htm">Genesis 27:34</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-19.htm">Proverbs 22:19</a>; <a href="/haggai/1-4.htm">Haggai 1:4</a>.) <a href="/commentaries/zechariah/7-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Ask אֱמֹר֙ (’ĕ·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the people עַ֣ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of the land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land and the priests, הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest ‘When כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you fasted צַמְתֶּ֨ם (ṣam·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6684.htm">Strong's 6684: </a> To abstain from food, fast and mourned וְסָפ֜וֹד (wə·sā·p̄ō·wḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5594.htm">Strong's 5594: </a> To tear the hair and beat the breasts, to lament, to wail in the fifth בַּחֲמִישִׁ֣י (ba·ḥă·mî·šî) Preposition-b, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2549.htm">Strong's 2549: </a> Fifth, a fifth and seventh months וּבַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י (ū·ḇaš·šə·ḇî·‘î) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7637.htm">Strong's 7637: </a> Seventh (an ordinal number) for these וְזֶה֙ (wə·zeh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that seventy שִׁבְעִ֣ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> Seventy (a cardinal number) years, שָׁנָ֔ה (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year {was it really} for Me אָֽנִי׃ (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I that you fasted? הֲצ֥וֹם (hă·ṣō·wm) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6684.htm">Strong's 6684: </a> To abstain from food, fast <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:5 Speak to all the people (Zech. Zec Zc) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zechariah 7:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zechariah 7:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>