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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 7:3 by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, "Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, as I have done these many years?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zechariah/7-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/38_Zec_07_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zechariah 7:3 - A Call to Justice and Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, Should I weep and fast in 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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> by asking the priests of the house of the LORD Almighty and the prophets, &#8220Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> They were to ask this question of the prophets and the priests at the Temple of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?” <a href="/esv/zechariah/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> saying to the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” <a href="/bsb/zechariah/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, “Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, as I have done these many years?” <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/zechariah/7.htm">New King James Version</a> and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” <a href="/nasb_/zechariah/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the LORD of armies, and to the prophets, saying, “Shall I weep in the fifth month and fast, as I have done these many years?” <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, &#8220Shall I weep in the fifth month and abstain, as I have done these many years?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/zechariah/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets saying, “Shall I weep in the fifth month and abstain, as I have done these many years?” <a href="/lsb/zechariah/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> speaking to the priests, who belong to the house of Yahweh of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, “Shall I weep in the fifth month and abstain, as I have done these many years?” <a href="/amp/zechariah/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the LORD of hosts and to the prophets, saying, “[Now that I am returned from exile] shall I weep in the fifth month [mourning the destruction of the temple], and fast as I have done these many years [in Babylon]?” <a href="/csb/zechariah/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> by asking the priests who were at the house of the LORD of Armies as well as the prophets, “Should we mourn and fast in the fifth month as we have done these many years? ” <a href="/hcsb/zechariah/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> by asking the priests who were at the house of the LORD of Hosts as well as the prophets, &#8220Should we mourn and fast in the fifth month as we have done these many years?&#8221 <a href="/asv/zechariah/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> and to speak unto the priests of the house of Jehovah 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="/erv/zechariah/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> and to speak unto the priests of 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="/gwt/zechariah/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They asked the priests from the house of the LORD of Armies as well as the prophets, "Should we mourn and fast in the fifth month as we have done for so many years?" <a href="/gnt/zechariah/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> and to ask the priests and the prophets this question: "Should we continue to mourn because of the destruction of the Temple, by fasting in the fifth month as we have done for so many years now?" <a href="/isv/zechariah/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> and to speak to the priests assigned to the Temple of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies along with the prophets, asking, "Am I to go about mourning, denying myself throughout the fifth month, as I have these many years?" <a href="/msb/zechariah/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts, as well as the prophets, ?Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, as I have done these many years?? <a href="/net/zechariah/7.htm">NET Bible</a> by asking both the priests of the temple of the LORD who rules over all and the prophets, "Should we weep in the fifth month, fasting as we have done over the years?" <a href="/nheb/zechariah/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and to speak to the priests of 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="/wbt/zechariah/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And to speak to the priests who 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="/web/zechariah/7.htm">World English Bible</a> and to speak to the priests of the house of Yahweh of Armies and to the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/zechariah/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> speaking to the priests who [are] at the house of YHWH of Hosts, and to the prophets, saying, “Do I weep in the fifth month—being separated—as I have done these so many years?” <a href="/ylt/zechariah/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> speaking unto the priests who are at the house of Jehovah of Hosts, and unto the prophets, saying, 'Do I weep in the fifth month -- being separated -- as I have done these so many years?' <a href="/slt/zechariah/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> To speak to the priests which were to the house of Jehovah of armies, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself according as I did, how many the years?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/zechariah/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> To speak to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the prophets, saying: Must I weep in the fifth month, or must I sanctify myself as I have now done for many years? <a href="/cpdv/zechariah/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> to speak to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and to the prophets, saying: “Must there be weeping with me in the fifth month, and must I sanctify myself, as I have now done for many years?” <a href="/nabre/zechariah/7.htm">New American Bible</a> and to ask the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, “Must I weep and abstain in the fifth month as I have been doing these many years?” <a href="/nrsvce/zechariah/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and to ask the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, “Should I mourn and practice abstinence in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/zechariah/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And to speak to the priests who 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="/hpbt/zechariah/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And to say to the Priests who are in the house of LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts and to the Prophets: ”Shall I weep in the fifth month or shall I separate myself as I had done, behold, so many years?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/zechariah/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and to speak unto the priests of 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="/sep/zechariah/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> speaking to the priests that were in the house of the Lord Almighty, and to the prophets, saying, The holy offering has come in hither in the fifth month, as it has done already many years. <a href="/parallel/zechariah/7-3.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=893" 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> …2Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, along with their men, to plead before the LORD 3<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">by asking</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (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.">the priests</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</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.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">as well as</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.">the prophets,</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/1058.htm" title="1058: ha·’eḇ·keh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">“Should I weep</a> <a href="/hebrew/5144.htm" title="5144: hin·nā·zêr (V-Nifal-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to hold aloof, i.e. abstain (i.e. Apostatize); specifically, to set apart, i.e. Devote.">and fast</a> <a href="/hebrew/2549.htm" title="2549: ha·ḥă·mi·šî (Art:: Number-oms) -- Fifth. Or chamishshiy; ord. From chamesh; fifth; also a fifth.">in the fifth</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ba·ḥō·ḏeš (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">month,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">I have done</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: kam·meh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">many</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years?”</a> 4Then the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, 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/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-5</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="/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="/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 1:11-15</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="/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="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a> “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Matthew 9:14-15</a> Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. <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/5-33.htm">Luke 5:33-35</a> Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” <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/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="/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="/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/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/18-12.htm">Luke 18:12</a> I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And to speak to 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?speak.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9-11</a> And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: … <a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Deuteronomy 33:10</a> They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.<a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Ezekiel 44:23,24</a> And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean… Should.<a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Zechariah 7:5</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="/nehemiah/8-9.htm">Nehemiah 8:9-11</a> And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law… <a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Nehemiah 9:1-3</a> Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them… fifth.<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/25-8.htm">2 Kings 25:8,9</a> And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: … <a href="/jeremiah/52-12.htm">Jeremiah 52:12-14</a> Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, … separating.<a href="/zechariah/12-12.htm">Zechariah 12:12-14</a> And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; … <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a> Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/19-15.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-15.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/hosea/3-3.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-14.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-21.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-15.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-1.htm">Month</a> <a href="/nahum/3-7.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/nahum/1-12.htm">Past</a> <a href="/haggai/2-13.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-6.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-20.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-12.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-4.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/micah/1-10.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/nahum/3-7.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-1.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-9.htm">House</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Month</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Past</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-7.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/luke/24-51.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-11.htm">Weeping</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>by asking the priests of the house of the LORD of Hosts The priests served as mediators between God and the people, responsible for teaching the Law and performing sacrifices. The "house of the LORD of Hosts" refers to the temple, emphasizing God's sovereignty and power. This phrase indicates a formal inquiry, showing respect for religious authority. The title "LORD of Hosts" underscores God's command over heavenly armies, a reminder of His ultimate authority and protection over Israel.as well as the prophets Prophets were God's messengers, providing guidance and correction. Their inclusion highlights the importance of seeking divine insight beyond ritualistic practices. Prophets like Haggai and Zechariah were active during this period, encouraging the rebuilding of the temple and spiritual renewal. This dual consultation with priests and prophets reflects a comprehensive approach to understanding God's will.“Should I weep and fast in the fifth month, The fifth month refers to the month of Av, during which the Jews commemorated the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Fasting and weeping were expressions of mourning and repentance. This practice had become a tradition during the Babylonian exile, reflecting a deep sense of loss and longing for restoration. The question implies a desire to understand whether these rituals remain necessary now that the temple is being rebuilt.as I have done these many years?” The phrase "these many years" indicates a long-standing tradition, suggesting a period of seventy years since the temple's destruction. This reflects the persistence of mourning practices even after returning from exile. The inquiry suggests a shift in focus from ritual to understanding God's current expectations. It raises questions about the relevance of past practices in light of new circumstances, pointing to a broader theme of spiritual renewal and transformation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a> A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with worship and spiritual encounters. In this context, representatives from Bethel are seeking guidance from the priests and prophets in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_the_lord.htm">House of the LORD</a> Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites, where they sought divine guidance and instruction. 3. <a href="/topical/p/prophets_and_priests.htm">Prophets and Priests</a> Religious leaders in Israel responsible for conveying God's messages and teaching the people. They were approached for guidance on religious practices. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fasting_in_the_fifth_month.htm">Fasting in the Fifth Month</a> A practice observed by the Israelites, commemorating the destruction of the temple. The inquiry concerns whether this fast should continue now that the temple is being rebuilt. 5. <a href="/topical/z/zechariah.htm">Zechariah</a> A prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Israel, including the response to the inquiry from Bethel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_worship_over_rituals.htm">True Worship Over Rituals</a> God desires heartfelt worship and obedience rather than mere ritualistic practices. Our religious observances should reflect genuine devotion and a desire to align with God's will. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination_in_worship.htm">Self-Examination in Worship</a> Believers should regularly examine their motives in worship and religious practices. Are we seeking to honor God, or are we merely fulfilling obligations? <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_its_relevance.htm">Historical Context and Its Relevance</a> Understanding the historical context of religious practices can help us discern their relevance today. The Israelites' question about fasting reflects a broader inquiry into the purpose and meaning of their traditions. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a> Like the people of Bethel, we should seek God's guidance in our spiritual practices, ensuring they align with His desires and purposes. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_worship.htm">Community and Worship</a> The inquiry from Bethel highlights the importance of community in worship. Engaging with fellow believers and seeking collective guidance can strengthen our faith and understanding.<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/1_samuel_3_7_-_how_did_samuel_know_god.htm">1 Samuel 3:7 - How could a child with no prior knowledge of God accurately identify and respond to a supernatural voice?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_zechariah_3_2's_rebuke_unique.htm">Why does Zechariah 3:2 present the angel of the Lord rebuking Satan in a manner that seems inconsistent with other Old Testament accounts of divine judgment?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_25_6_align_with_israel's_exclusivity.htm">How does Isaiah 25:6, which speaks of a universal feast for all peoples, align with other Old Testament passages emphasizing Israel's exclusivity?</a> <a href="/q/are_all_things_pure_to_the_pure.htm">What does 'Return to Me, and I will return' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zechariah/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - The priests. They were addressed as interpreters of the Law (see <a href="/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11</a>, and note there). Which were in; rather, which belonged to. The prophets. Such as Zechariah, Haggai, and perhaps Malachi, through whom God communicated his will. Should I weep in the fifth month? The use of the first person singular to express a community or a people is not uncommon; here it means the Bethelites (comp. <a href="/numbers/20-18.htm">Numbers 20:18, 19</a>; <a href="/joshua/9-7.htm">Joshua 9:7</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/5-10.htm">1 Samuel 5:10, 11</a>). Weeping is the accompaniment of fasting (<a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Judges 20:26</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a>; <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12</a>). This fast in the fifth month, the month of Ab, had been established in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The temple was burnt on the ninth or tenth of the month (see <a href="/2_kings/25-8.htm">2 Kings 25:8, 9</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/52-12.htm">Jeremiah 52:12, 13</a>). The only fast-day enjoined by the Law of Moses was the great Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month, Ethanim (<a href="/leviticus/23-26.htm">Leviticus 23:26</a>, etc.). But the Jews added others in memory of certain national events (see <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Judges 20:26</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3</a>, etc.). In <a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Zechariah 8:19</a> mention is made of four extraordinary fasts instituted and observed during the Captivity, viz. on the ninth day of the fourth month, in memory of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; in the fifth month, in remembrance of the burning of the temple and city; in the seventh month, in consequence of the murder of Gedaliah (<a href="/jeremiah/41-1.htm">Jeremiah 41:1, 2</a>); and in the tenth month, in memory of the commencement of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (see note on ch. 8:19). Separating myself. Abstaining from food and pleasure. Vulgate, vel sanctificare me debeo, such separation or abstinence being regarded as a consecration to the Lord. The LXX. has not understood the passage, rendering, Αἰσελήλυθεν ῶδε ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ πέπτῳ τὸ ἁγίασμα "The sanctification hath come in here in the fifth month." These so many years. All the seventy years of exile. There is, perhaps, some Pharisaical complacency in this assertion. <a href="/commentaries/zechariah/7-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>by asking לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say the priests הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest of the house לְבֵית־ (lə·ḇêṯ-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (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 of Hosts צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign as well as the prophets, הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet “Should I weep הַֽאֶבְכֶּה֙ (ha·’eḇ·keh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> To weep, to bemoan and fast הִנָּזֵ֕ר (hin·nā·zêr) Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5144.htm">Strong's 5144: </a> To hold aloof, abstain, to set apart, devote in the fifth הַחֲמִשִׁ֔י (ha·ḥă·mi·šî) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2549.htm">Strong's 2549: </a> Fifth, a fifth month, בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ (ba·ḥō·ḏeš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> The new moon, a month as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I have done עָשִׂ֔יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make these זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that many כַּמֶּ֥ה (kam·meh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what years?” שָׁנִֽים׃ (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/zechariah/7-3.htm">Zechariah 7:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:3 And to speak to the priests (Zech. Zec Zc) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zechariah/7-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zechariah 7:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zechariah/7-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zechariah 7:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zechariah 7:4" /></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>