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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 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zechariah/7-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/38_Zec_07_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zechariah 7:10 - A Call to Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. 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Do not plot evil against each other.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/zechariah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/zechariah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/zechariah/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/zechariah/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/zechariah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/zechariah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the sojourner or the afflicted; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/zechariah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and do not oppress <i>or</i> exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise <i>or</i> even imagine evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/zechariah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/zechariah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/zechariah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/zechariah/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/zechariah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/zechariah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And don't even think of doing evil to each other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/zechariah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need. And do not plan ways of harming one another.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/zechariah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to wrong the widow, orphans, the foreigner, or the poor, and you are not to plan evil against each other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/zechariah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/zechariah/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow human being.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/zechariah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/zechariah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/zechariah/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t oppress the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/zechariah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And do not oppress widow, and fatherless, "" Sojourner, and poor, "" And you do not devise the calamity of one another in your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/zechariah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And widow, and fatherless, Sojourner, and poor, ye do not oppress, And the calamity of one another ye do not devise in your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/zechariah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the widow and the orphan, the stranger and the poor, ye shall not oppress; and ye shall not purpose evil in your heart a man to his brother.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/zechariah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And oppress not the widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/zechariah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And do not find fault with the widow, and the orphan, and the newcomer, and the poor. And let not a man consider evil in his heart towards his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/zechariah/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the resident alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/zechariah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/zechariah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And do not oppress the widow nor the orphan, the poor nor the proselyte; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/zechariah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the widow and the orphan and the poor and the convert to me you shall not cheat and you shall not oppress, neither shall you devise evil, any man against his brother, in your heart<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/zechariah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/zechariah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and oppress not the widow, or the fatherless, or the stranger, or the poor; and let not one of you remember in his heart the injury of his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/zechariah/7-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFPk_KgOyMk?start=954" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">A Call to Justice and Mercy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6231.htm" title="6231: ta·‘ă·šō·qū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To oppress, wrong, extort. A primitive root; to press upon, i.e. Oppress, defraud, violate, overflow.">oppress</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: wə·’al·mā·nāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">the widow</a> <a href="/hebrew/3490.htm" title="3490: wə·yā·ṯō·wm (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- An orphan. From an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person.">or the fatherless,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1616.htm" title="1616: gêr (N-ms) -- A sojourner. Or geyr; from guwr; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner.">the foreigner</a> <a href="/hebrew/6041.htm" title="6041: wə·‘ā·nî (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Poor, afflicted, humble. From anah; depressed, in mind or circumstances.">or the poor.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">And do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: taḥ·šə·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To think, account. ">plot</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: wə·rā·‘aṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: bil·ḇaḇ·ḵem (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">in your hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">against one</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">another.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a></span><br />Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a></span><br />Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21-24</a></span><br />You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. / You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18-19</a></span><br />He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. / So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a></span><br />Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a></span><br />Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14-15</a></span><br />Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">oppress.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21-24</a></b></br> Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Exodus 23:9</a></b></br> Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-18</a></b></br> Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant <i>that is</i> poor and needy, <i>whether he be</i> of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that <i>are</i> in thy land within thy gates: … </p><p class="hdg">imagine.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/21-11.htm">Psalm 21:11</a></b></br> For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, <i>which</i> they are not able <i>to perform</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Psalm 36:4</a></b></br> He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way <i>that is</i> not good; he abhorreth not evil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-2.htm">Psalm 140:2</a></b></br> Which imagine mischiefs in <i>their</i> heart; continually are they gathered together <i>for</i> war.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zephaniah/3-18.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-15.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-8.htm">Country</a> <a href="/nahum/1-9.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-9.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/jonah/1-13.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/haggai/2-18.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/nahum/1-9.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-23.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-8.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Think</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-22.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/luke/17-18.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-21.htm">Calamity</a> <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Child</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-7.htm">Country</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Devise</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-6.htm">Foreigner</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-6.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/acts/7-29.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-12.htm">Think</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Zechariah 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/7-1.htm">The captives enquire concerning the set fasts.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm">Zechariah reproves the hypocrisy of their fasting.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zechariah/7-8.htm">Sin the cause of their captivity.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/zechariah/7.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Do not oppress</b><br />The Hebrew root for "oppress" is "עָשַׁק" (ashaq), which conveys the idea of exploiting or taking advantage of someone. In the historical context of ancient Israel, widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor were particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to their lack of social and economic power. This command reflects God's heart for justice and His desire for His people to act with compassion and fairness. It is a call to uphold righteousness and to protect those who cannot protect themselves, aligning with the broader biblical theme of justice and mercy.<p><b>the widow</b><br />In ancient Israel, widows were often left without financial support or protection, making them susceptible to poverty and injustice. The Hebrew word "אַלְמָנָה" (almanah) signifies a woman who has lost her husband. The Bible frequently emphasizes the need to care for widows, reflecting God's compassion and concern for those who are marginalized. This command underscores the importance of community responsibility and the call to provide for those in need.<p><b>or the fatherless</b><br />The term "fatherless" comes from the Hebrew "יָתוֹם" (yathom), referring to orphans who lacked parental care and protection. In biblical times, orphans were among the most vulnerable members of society. God's command to care for the fatherless highlights His role as a defender of the defenseless and calls His people to mirror His character by providing support and protection to those without family.<p><b>the foreigner</b><br />The Hebrew word "גֵּר" (ger) refers to a sojourner or resident alien, someone living in a land not their own. Foreigners often faced discrimination and exclusion, lacking the rights and privileges of native-born citizens. God's instruction to treat foreigners with kindness and justice reflects His inclusive love and the reminder that Israel itself was once a foreigner in Egypt. This command challenges believers to extend hospitality and fairness to all, regardless of their origin.<p><b>or the poor</b><br />The Hebrew term "עָנִי" (ani) denotes those who are economically disadvantaged. The poor were often subject to exploitation and injustice, lacking the means to defend themselves. God's repeated calls to care for the poor throughout Scripture reveal His deep concern for their well-being and His desire for His people to act with generosity and compassion. This command encourages believers to be mindful of the needs of the less fortunate and to act as stewards of God's provision.<p><b>Do not plot evil</b><br />The phrase "plot evil" comes from the Hebrew "חָשַׁב רָעָה" (chashab ra'ah), meaning to devise or plan harm. This command addresses the intentions of the heart, emphasizing that true righteousness involves not only outward actions but also inward purity. It calls believers to examine their motives and to cultivate thoughts that align with God's will, promoting peace and goodwill among one another.<p><b>in your hearts</b><br />The Hebrew word "לֵב" (lev) refers to the heart, which in biblical terms encompasses the mind, will, and emotions. It is the center of one's being and decision-making. This command highlights the importance of internal integrity and the need for a heart aligned with God's values. It serves as a reminder that God sees beyond outward appearances and desires a transformation that begins from within.<p><b>against one another</b><br />This phrase underscores the communal aspect of God's commands, emphasizing the importance of harmonious relationships within the community. It reflects the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and living in unity. By instructing His people to avoid plotting evil against each other, God calls for a community characterized by mutual respect, love, and support, reflecting His kingdom values on earth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zechariah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oppress not the widow,</span> etc. (<a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21, 22</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18, 19</a>); Vulgate, <span class="accented">nolite calumniari</span>, where <span class="accented">calumniari</span> is used in the sense "to vex, torment." <span class="cmt_word">Imagine evil against his brother in year heart.</span> God's Law forbids even a thought of revenge or injury against a neighbour, for this is only the first step to wrong doing (comp. <a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1</a>). Septuagint, <span class="greek">Κακίαν</span> <span class="greek">ἕκαστος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ μὴ μνησικακείτω</span> <span class="greek">ἐν ταῖς καρδίας ὑμῶν</span>, "Let none of you remember in your hearts the malice of your brother." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/zechariah/7-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oppress</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲשֹׁ֑קוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·šō·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6231.htm">Strong's 6231: </a> </span><span class="str2">To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the widow</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַלְמָנָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al·mā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A widow, a desolate place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the fatherless,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָת֛וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·ṯō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3490.htm">Strong's 3490: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bereaved person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the foreigner</span><br /><span class="heb">גֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(gêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1616.htm">Strong's 1616: </a> </span><span class="str2">A guest, a foreigner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the poor.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6041.htm">Strong's 6041: </a> </span><span class="str2">Poor, afflicted, humble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">plot</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּחְשְׁב֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(taḥ·šə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To think, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָעַת֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your hearts</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְבַבְכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bil·ḇaḇ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another.’</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:10 Don't oppress the widow nor the fatherless (Zech. 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