Zechariah 7:4
Zechariah 7:4 in Multiple Translations
Then the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying,
¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
Then came the word of Jehovah of hosts unto me, saying,
Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying
The Lord Almighty sent a message to me saying,
Then came the word of the Lord of hostes vnto me, saying,
And there is a word of Jehovah of Hosts unto me, saying:
Then the word of the LORD of Armies came to me, saying,
Then came the word of the LORD of hosts to me, saying,
And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:
Then the Commander of the armies of angels gave me a message.
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 7:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 7:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֛י
דְּבַר
יְהוָ֥ה
צְבָא֖וֹת
אֵלַ֥/י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֛י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צְבָא֖וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cp
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 7:4
וַ/יְהִ֛י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְּבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צְבָא֖וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Zechariah 7:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 7:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 7:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 7:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
Context — A Call to Justice and Mercy
2Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, along with their men, to plead before the LORD
3by 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?”
4Then the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying,
5“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? 6And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 10:16 | Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame. |
Zechariah 7:4 Summary
[Zechariah 7:4 tells us that God spoke to the prophet Zechariah, giving him a message to share with the people. This shows us that God is always willing to communicate with us and guide us, as we see in Jeremiah 29:12-13, where God promises to listen to our prayers and respond. God's word is powerful and authoritative, and we can trust it to guide us in our lives, just as it guided Zechariah. By listening to God's word and seeking His will, we can live a life that honors Him and brings us joy and peace.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'the word of the LORD of Hosts' in Zechariah 7:4?
This phrase indicates that God is about to speak, and His message is one of authority and power, as seen in other scriptures like Jeremiah 31:35 and Isaiah 48:13, where God's word is emphasized as a declaration of His sovereignty.
How does Zechariah 7:4 relate to the preceding verses?
Zechariah 7:4 is a response to the inquiry made by the people of Bethel in Zechariah 7:2-3, where they asked the priests and prophets if they should continue to fast and mourn in the fifth month, and God's word comes to address their question, as also seen in Deuteronomy 12:8-11 where the people are instructed to seek God's will.
What can we learn from the fact that God's word came to Zechariah in this context?
This verse teaches us that God is always willing to guide and instruct His people, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are encouraged to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, and in Jeremiah 33:3, where God invites us to call to Him and He will answer us.
How does this verse apply to our lives today?
Just as God spoke to Zechariah, He also speaks to us today through His word, the Bible, as stated in Hebrews 4:12, where the word of God is described as living and active, and in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where scripture is said to be God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
Reflection Questions
- What am I seeking guidance from God about in my life right now, and how can I be more attentive to His word?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking God's will, as seen in Zechariah 7:4, to my daily decisions and challenges?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's word and its relevance to my life, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105-112?
- What are some areas where I may be seeking answers or guidance from other sources rather than from God's word, and how can I adjust my approach to prioritize His guidance?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 7:4
Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me, saying. Upon the sending of this embassy, and upon putting this question.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 7:4
Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
Then, when these men had proposed their case, and expected the priests’ answer, came the word of the Lord; an answer from God, which follows in the 7th and 8th chapters of this book at large.
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
Zechariah 7:4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,Ver. 4. Then came the word of the Lord of hosts] This is often prefaced, for authority’ s sake; and to procure audience and reverence. The Lord God hath spoken, who can but be affected? See that ye despise not him that speaketh from heaven. The angel, Matthew 28:7, useth no other argument to assure the women of the truth of what he had told them but this, "Lo, I have told you."
Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
(4-7) The people (as in Isaiah 58:3-8) are rebuked for the hypocritical, or merely formal, nature of their fasts. The prophet does not, even further on, give any direct answer to their inquiry. He seems to have wished to show them that fasting or not fasting was a matter of only secondary consideration. Their fasts were undertaken on account of their sufferings; their sufferings were caused by their sins. So, then, their sins were the origin of their fasts. Let them remove sin from their midst, then fasting would be unnecessary. “All stated fasts tend to degenerate into superstition, unless there is a strong counteracting agency. The original reference to God is lost in the mere outward act. . . . Selfishness is the bane of all true piety, as godliness is its essence” (Moore).
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 7:4
OF MORAL AND , Zechariah 7:1 to Zechariah 8:23.After a silence of nearly two years the voice of Zechariah was heard again.