CINXE.COM

<!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 7:7 Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zechariah/7-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/38_Zec_07_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zechariah 7:7 - A Call to Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?'" /><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/7-7.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/7-7.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 7</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="/ad7.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/7-6.htm" title="Zechariah 7:6">◄</a> Zechariah 7:7 <a href="/zechariah/7-8.htm" title="Zechariah 7:8">►</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> Are these not the words the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Isn’t this the same message the LORD proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?’” <a href="/esv/zechariah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’” <a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’” <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? <a href="/nkjv/zechariah/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’ ” <a href="/nasb_/zechariah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Are these not the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and carefree along with its cities around it, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’” <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> Are not these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous along with its cities around it, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘Are not these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous with its cities around it, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’” <a href="/lsb/zechariah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Are not these the words which Yahweh called out by the hand of the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and at ease along with its cities around it, and the Negev and the Shephelah were inhabited?’” <a href="/amp/zechariah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Should you not hear the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous along with her cities around her, and the South (the Negev) and the foothills were inhabited?’” <a href="/csb/zechariah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Aren’t these the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and secure, along with its surrounding cities, and when the southern region and the Judean foothills were inhabited? ” <a href="/hcsb/zechariah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Aren&#8217t these the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and secure, along with its surrounding cities, and when the southern region and the Judean foothills were inhabited?&#8221 <a href="/asv/zechariah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Should ye not hear the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited? <a href="/cev/zechariah/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My message today is the same one I commanded the earlier prophets to speak to Jerusalem and its villages when they were prosperous, and when all of Judah, including the Southern Desert and the hill country, was filled with people. <a href="/erv/zechariah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited? <a href="/gwt/zechariah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Aren't these the same words that the LORD announced through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding cities were inhabited and undisturbed and the Negev and the foothills were still inhabited?'" <a href="/gnt/zechariah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> This is what the LORD said through the earlier prophets at the time when Jerusalem was prosperous and filled with people and when there were many people living not only in the towns around the city but also in the southern region and in the western foothills. <a href="/isv/zechariah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> Isn't this what the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets, when a prosperous Jerusalem was inhabited, as were its surrounding cities, the Negev, and the Shephelah?'" <a href="/msb/zechariah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited??? <a href="/net/zechariah/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Should you not have obeyed the words that the LORD cried out through the former prophets when Jerusalem was peacefully inhabited and her surrounding cities, the Negev, and the Shephelah were also populated? <a href="/nheb/zechariah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Aren't these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities around her, and the Negev and the lowland were inhabited?'" <a href="/wbt/zechariah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and her cities around her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? <a href="/web/zechariah/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Aren’t these the words which Yahweh proclaimed by the former prophets when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and its cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/zechariah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Are [these] not the words that YHWH proclaimed by the hand of the former prophets, in Jerusalem’s being inhabited, and [in] safety, and its cities around it, and the south and the plain—abiding?” <a href="/ylt/zechariah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Are not these the words that Jehovah proclaimed by the hand of the former prophets, in Jerusalem's being inhabited, and in safety, and its cities round about it, and the south and the plain -- abiding?' <a href="/slt/zechariah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Is it not the words which Jehovah called by the hand of the former prophets in Jerusalem being inhabited and in security, and its cities round about her, and inhabiting the south and the low country?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/zechariah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Are not these the words which the Lord spoke by the hand of the former prophets, when Jerusalem as yet was inhabited, and was wealthy, both itself and the cities round about it, and there were inhabitants towards the south, and in the plain? <a href="/cpdv/zechariah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Are not these the words that the Lord has spoken by the hand of the former prophets, when Jerusalem was still inhabited, so that it would prosper, itself and the cities around it, and those inhabitants towards the South and in the plains? <a href="/nabre/zechariah/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Are these not the words which the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding cities were inhabited and secure, when the Negeb and the Shephelah were inhabited? <a href="/nrsvce/zechariah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, along with the towns around it, and when the Negeb and the Shephelah were inhabited?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/zechariah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> These were the very words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, when her towns were round about her and when the mountains and plains were inhabited. <a href="/hpbt/zechariah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> These are the words that LORD JEHOVAH preached by the agency of the former Prophets when Jerusalem was resting and quiet, and the cities around her and the mountains and the valleys were resting<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/zechariah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Should ye not hearken to the words which the LORD hath proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?' <a href="/sep/zechariah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Are not these the words which the Lord spoke by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and her cities round about her, and the hill country and the low country was inhabited? <a href="/parallel/zechariah/7-7.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=927" 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> …6And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves? 7<a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Are these not</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·də·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">proclaimed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yaḏ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">through</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·nîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">the earlier</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: han·nə·ḇî·’îm (Art:: N-mp) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">prophets,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">when Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯe·hā (Adv:: 3fs) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">and its surrounding</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: wə·‘ā·re·hā (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">towns</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: bih·yō·wṯ (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">were</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·še·ḇeṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">populous</a> <a href="/hebrew/7961.htm" title="7961: ū·šə·lê·wāh (Conj-w:: Adj-fs) -- Quiet, at ease. Or shaleyv; feminine shlevah; from shalah; tranquil; careless; abstractly, security.">and prosperous,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5045.htm" title="5045: wə·han·ne·ḡeḇ (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to be parched; the south; specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt.">and the Negev</a> <a href="/hebrew/8219.htm" title="8219: wə·haš·šə·p̄ê·lāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- Lowland. From shaphel; Lowland, i.e. the maritime slope of Palestine.">and the foothills</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">were inhabited?’”</a> 8Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,…<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/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-17</a> Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Jeremiah 7:5-7</a> For if you really correct your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, / if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, / then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> 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="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14-15</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a> 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? <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> 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. <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="/isaiah/58-9.htm">Isaiah 58:9-10</a> Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk, / and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. <a href="/jeremiah/26-4.htm">Jeremiah 26:4-6</a> And you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘If you do not listen to Me and walk in My law, which I have set before you, / and if you do not listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent you again and again even though you did not listen, / then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’” <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Ezekiel 18:7-9</a> He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. / He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men. / He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD. <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> 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. <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a> Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23-24</a> So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. <a href="/luke/3-10.htm">Luke 3:10-11</a> The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” / John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Should you not hear the words which the LORD has cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?Should ye not hear the words.<a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3,6,7</a> Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David… cried.<a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3-6</a> Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts… <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-20</a> Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; … <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Jeremiah 7:5,23</a> For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; … former.<a href="/deuteronomy/34-3.htm">Deuteronomy 34:3</a> And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.<a href="/jeremiah/17-26.htm">Jeremiah 17:26</a> And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.<a href="/jeremiah/32-44.htm">Jeremiah 32:44</a> Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/1-17.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-8.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/micah/4-8.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-19.htm">Foothills</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Former</a> <a href="/haggai/2-16.htm">Full</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-13.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-8.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-4.htm">Inhabited</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-2.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-1.htm">Jerusalem's</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-19.htm">Lowland</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-20.htm">Negev</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-13.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/joel/3-20.htm">Peopled</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-7.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-17.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/daniel/4-4.htm">Prosperous</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-8.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-7.htm">Round</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Settled</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-6.htm">South</a> <a href="/nahum/3-8.htm">Surrounding</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-4.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/haggai/2-7.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Western</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-12.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/8-20.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-13.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/john/7-22.htm">Earlier</a> <a href="/joshua/11-2.htm">Foothills</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Former</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-5.htm">Full</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-5.htm">Inhabited</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-3.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-7.htm">Jerusalem's</a> <a href="/genesis/19-25.htm">Lowland</a> <a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Negev</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-10.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/genesis/9-19.htm">Peopled</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-11.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/matthew/11-5.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-12.htm">Prosperous</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-8.htm">Round</a> <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Settled</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-14.htm">South</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-2.htm">Surrounding</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-5.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-1.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-4.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-8.htm">Western</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-12.htm">Words</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>Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets This phrase emphasizes the continuity of God's message throughout history. The "earlier prophets" likely refer to figures such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos, who consistently called Israel to repentance and warned of judgment. This continuity underscores the unchanging nature of God's expectations and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings. The prophets often spoke against social injustice, idolatry, and empty religious rituals, urging a return to genuine worship and obedience.when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous This part of the verse recalls a time of economic and social flourishing in Jerusalem and its neighboring areas. Historically, this could refer to the period before the Babylonian exile, when the kingdom of Judah was thriving. The prosperity mentioned here serves as a backdrop to highlight the people's complacency and neglect of God's commands during times of abundance. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, as prosperity without righteousness leads to downfall.and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited The Negev is a desert region in the southern part of Israel, while the foothills refer to the Shephelah, a region of low hills between the coastal plain and the central highlands. These areas being "inhabited" suggests a time of security and stability, as these regions were often vulnerable to external threats. The mention of these areas indicates the extent of the land's prosperity and the comprehensive nature of the population's well-being. It also serves as a geographical reminder of the full scope of God's blessings when the people were obedient, contrasting with the desolation that followed their disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The central figure in this passage, representing God's authority and the source of the prophetic message. 2. <a href="/topical/e/earlier_prophets.htm">Earlier Prophets</a> Refers to the prophets who spoke God's words to Israel before the Babylonian exile, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The capital city of Judah, significant in Jewish history and the center of worship. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_negev.htm">The Negev</a> A desert region in southern Israel, symbolizing the extent of the land's prosperity and habitation. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_foothills.htm">The Foothills (Shephelah)</a> A region of lowlands in Israel, indicating the breadth of the land's peace and prosperity during the time referenced.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heeding_god's_word.htm">The Importance of Heeding God's Word</a> The passage reminds us that God's words through the prophets are timeless and should be heeded. Ignoring them leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. <a href="/topical/t/true_worship_vs._ritualistic_observance.htm">True Worship vs. Ritualistic Observance</a> God desires genuine worship that reflects a heart aligned with His will, rather than mere ritualistic observance. Our actions should reflect our faith. <a href="/topical/p/prosperity_and_complacency.htm">Prosperity and Complacency</a> The prosperity of Jerusalem and its regions led to complacency. We must be vigilant not to let comfort lead us away from God's commands. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_as_a_lesson.htm">Historical Context as a Lesson</a> Understanding the historical context of Israel's disobedience serves as a lesson for us today. We should learn from past mistakes to avoid repeating them. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_justice.htm">Community and Justice</a> The call to justice and righteousness is not just personal but communal. We are responsible for ensuring our communities reflect God's values.<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/how_does_zech._12_7_align_with_judah's_history.htm">How does Zechariah 12:7, which promises the Lord will save the tents of Judah first, align with historical records showing Judah's multiple defeats and exiles?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_rely_on_human_compliance.htm">In Zechariah 7:12, the people are criticized for refusing to heed God's message; why would an omnipotent deity rely on human compliance for His plans?</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/how_do_mercy_and_conquest_reconcile.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10 commands mercy and compassion; how do these ideals reconcile with earlier Old Testament accounts of conquest and violence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zechariah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Should ye not hear the words, etc.? A verb must be supplied. "Do ye not know the words?" or "Should ye not obey the words?" Syriac, Septuagint, and Vulgate, "Are not these the words?" By the former prophets (<a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Zechariah 1:4</a>). It had been a common cry of the prophets from early times that men must not put their trust in the observance of outward ceremonies, but attend to the cultivation of moral obedience and purity (see <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>; <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11, 12, 16, 17</a>; <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3</a>, etc.; <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22, 23</a>; <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>; <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>, where see note). When Jerusalem was inhabited. Before its destruction and the deportation of its inhabitants. He recalls the former prosperity to their memory, contrasting it with the present low estate, to remind them of all they had lost in punishment of disobedience. The south (Negeb). The southern part of Judaea was so called (see on Obadiah 1:19; and comp. <a href="/numbers/13-17.htm">Numbers 13:17</a>; <a href="/joshua/15-21.htm">Joshua 15:21</a>). The plain (Shephelah); the low land, along the coast of the Mediterranean (<a href="/joshua/15-33.htm">Joshua 15:33</a>; 1 Macc. 12:38). The above districts comprise two of the three divisions of Judaea (<a href="/judges/1-9.htm">Judges 1:9</a>); the third, the mountain or hill country (<a href="/luke/1-39.htm">Luke 1:39</a>), is intended in the expression, "Jerusalem and the cities round about her." There was still a great dearth of population in the country, and the towns were not half inhabited, nor was the]and half cultivated. <a href="/commentaries/zechariah/7-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Are these not הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no the words הַדְּבָרִ֗ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause that אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel proclaimed קָרָ֤א (qā·rā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read through בְּיַד֙ (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand the earlier הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֔ים (hā·ri·šō·nîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> First, in place, time, rank prophets, הַנְּבִיאִ֣ים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet when Jerusalem יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel and its surrounding סְבִיבֹתֶ֑יהָ (sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯe·hā) Adverb | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> A circle, neighbour, environs, around towns וְעָרֶ֖יהָ (wə·‘ā·re·hā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement were בִּהְי֤וֹת (bih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be populous יֹשֶׁ֣בֶת (yō·še·ḇeṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry and prosperous, וּשְׁלֵוָ֔ה (ū·šə·lê·wāh) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7961.htm">Strong's 7961: </a> Tranquil, careless, security and the Negev וְהַנֶּ֥גֶב (wə·han·ne·ḡeḇ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5045.htm">Strong's 5045: </a> South country, the Negeb, south and the Lowland וְהַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה (wə·haš·šə·p̄ê·lāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8219.htm">Strong's 8219: </a> Lowland were inhabited?’” יֹשֵֽׁב׃ (yō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/zechariah/7-7.htm">Zechariah 7:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-7.htm">OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:7 Aren't these the words which Yahweh proclaimed (Zech. Zec Zc) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zechariah 7:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zechariah/7-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zechariah 7:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:8" /></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>