Zechariah 7

The Jewes enquire of the priests and prophets, whether they are still bound to observe those fast dayes, which their forefathers had instituted of old, in cases of necessity? Verse 1, &c. the LORD answers by Zacharia, that he had commanded them no such such fasting, 4 but indeed, that they should practice justice, righteousness and mercy towards their neigbour, 9. which they having not done, he was therefore constrained to punish them 11.

1. Now it happened in the fourth year of the King darius, [See above chapter 1.1] (that) the word of the LORD came unto Zacharia, on the fourth of the ninth moneth (namely) in Chisleu [agreeing mostly with our November. See Neh. 1.]

2. When they had sent [viz. in the name and behalf of the people (as appears by verse 5) which was eturned out of the Bablonian captivity; or, as others conceive, which yet was in Babylonia] (to) the house of God, [i.e to the Temple, where the priests and prophets were, as appears by verse 3. oth. When Bathel had sent] Sarezer, and Regum Melech, [these doubtless were some of the chiefest men among the Jews at that time] and his men, [that is, together with other men, that were joined in this Embassie, or commission; or, with their men, that is, with their servants and retinue] for to petition [or, beseech] the face of the LORD.

3. Saying to the Priests that were in the house of the Lord of hostes, and to the Prophets, [to wit, Haggai, Zacharia and Malachi] must I weep [i.e. be sad and sorrowfull and fast] in the fifth moneth [agreeing partly with our July, and being that moneth, in which many years before the first temple was destroyed, 2 Kings 25:9. and Jeremiah 52:12.] separating my self, [that is, abstaining or withholding my self, from eating, drinking and other bodily reflections, and afflicting my soul. See Joel 2:15, &c] according as I have done now so amny years? [the meaning of their proposition is, as if they had demanded, whether they stood-bound yet, now the Temple was almost set up again, still to observe that day of humiliation, which formerly was instituted in remembrance of its destruction.]

4. Then came the word of the LORD of hostes unto me saying;

5. Speak unto all the people of this land, and unto the priests, saying: when ye fasted and mourned in the fifth [in remembrance of the destruction of the temple, verse 3. in the annotate.] and in the seventh (moneth) [this fastday was instituted in remembrance of Gedalia, who in this moneth was treacherously assassinated. 2 kings 25.25. Jeremiah 41:2.] namely now seventy years: [viz. as long as the Babylonian captivity lasted, and after that hitherto] did ye fast unto me, at all to me? [Heb. Did ye fast unto me, at all to me? [Heb. Did ye fasting fast to me: i.e for to please me, or, to do me pleasure thereby; or, as if some special honour and worship were conferred thereby upon me? Intimating, that the rue worship of God consisted not properly in fasting, nor in eating and drinking, but in the keeping of God’s commands.]

6. Or, when ye did eat, and when ye drank, were not ye they that did eat, and ye they that did drink? [i.e. have ye not eaten and drunk for your selves? Not I, but ye yourselves were the better for, or, had the benefit of it.]

7. Are they not the words which the LORD proclaimed by the ministery [Heb. Hand, as also below verse 12.] of the prophets, [the sense is, your question is easie to be resolved: look but into the prophets, and read what they preached and published formerly, on several occasions, and ye will soon finde, in what esteem I hold your fastings. See Isaiah 58:3, 4. But other read the words of the text thus, (ought ye not (to do) the words which the LORD proclaimed by &c or thus: (have) ye not (head) &c.] when Jerusalem was inhabited and at rest, [viz. before the Babylonian captivity, or, whiles Jerusalem was yet in a flourishing condition] and her cities round about her? And the south, and the plain was inhabited. [see Joshua 15:1, 2. the meaning is; when the Kingdom of Juda was in good estate yet, and the Tribes entire.]

8. Moreover the word of the LORD came of Zacharia, saying;

9. Thus spake the LORD of hostes, [viz. unto your fathers] saying: Judge [the meaning is: this indeed is a true fast, well pleasing to me. See further of a true Fast. Isaiah 1:16, 17, 18. Matthew 23:23.] a true judgement, [Heb. A judgement of truth, or faithfulness] and practice kindness and compassions the one on the other: [Hebr. The man with his brother, or, with his neighbour.]

10. And do not oppress the window, nor the fatherless, nor the afflicted: and think not evil in your heart, [i.e devise, contrive no mischief, damage, prejudice, the very thoughts whereof are sin] the one of the other. [Heb. The man of his brother.]

11. But they refused [viz. their fathers and forefathes. See above chapter 1.4.] to attend, and withdrew their shoulders, and they made their ears heavy, that they might not hear, [compare Isaiah 6:10. i.e. they would not bear the york of the LORD, nor hear of it. Heb. They gave a backsliding shoulders. See Neh. 9 on verse 29.]

12. And they made [Hb. Put set,] their heart like a Diamond, [i.e. exceeding hard and refractiorie. Compare Jeremiah 48:4. Ezekiel 11:19. and 36.26. Heb. As a durable (stone) see the annotate. On Jeremiah 17:1.] that they might not hear the law, [viz. of the LORD] and the words which the LORD of hosts sent in his spirit, by the ministery of former prophets, [Hence it appears, that they were refractory, not so much against the prophets, as against the spirit of God, that spake in and by the prophets] from whence arose great anger of the LORD of hosts.

13. Therefore it came to passé, that as he had called, [He, viz the LORD, or the prophet of the LORD. See above chapter 7. and Hosea 11:2 and Mich. 3.4.] yet they heard not; so they also called, [Isaiah 1:15. Jeremiah 11:11 and 14.12. Proverbs 1:28.] but I heard not, saith the LORD of hosts.

14. But I have stormed them away among all the heathen, whom they knew not, and the land became desolate behinde them, [And it remained desolate a long time, namely after they were carried away captive] so that no man passed thorow, nor returned there, [i.e none past to or, fro, in out there, all that time, till I brought you back again] for they [viz. your fathers, as above verse 11. oth. So they] made [or, put, set] the desired land to be (be) a desolation: meaning the land of Juda. The sense s, that though their disobedience and obstinancie they were themselves the cause, that so excellent a countrie, as god had given the for their inheritance, was made so lamentably desolate: as they confessed at length themselves. Daniel 9:16.]