What does Zechariah 7:7 mean?
"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?" - Zechariah 7:7
Zechariah 7:7 (KJV) reads, "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?" This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Zechariah, in which the prophet Zechariah is addressing a group of people who have come to him with a question about whether or not they should continue to observe certain fasts. In his response, Zechariah calls the people to true righteousness and justice, rather than simply going through the motions of religious observance.
The verse opens by posing a question, "Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former prophets?" This question is a rhetorical one, drawing attention to the fact that the people have a long history of hearing and receiving the words of the Lord through the previous prophets. The implication is that they have not been paying proper attention to these words, and have instead strayed from the path of righteousness and justice.
The verse then recalls a time "when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain." This seems to be a reference to a past period of prosperity and blessing when the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding cities were thriving and flourishing. The mention of the south and the plain emphasizes that this prosperity extended throughout the land. The implication is that this time of blessing was a direct result of the people's obedience to the words of the Lord spoken through the former prophets.
However, the implication in the verse is that the people have not remained faithful to the teachings of the former prophets. Instead of continuing to live in obedience to God's word, they have strayed from the path of righteousness and justice. This has led to their current state of hardship and struggle, as well as the need to inquire about the continued observance of certain fasts.
The themes present in this verse are universal and timeless. The call to hear and heed the words of the Lord, the connection between obedience and blessing, and the importance of true righteousness and justice are all fundamental to the biblical message. The verse emphasizes the importance of learning from the lessons of the past and remaining faithful to the teachings of scripture.
In this verse, the context is critical to understanding its meaning. The people coming to Zechariah with questions about fasting were likely looking for a formulaic, religious solution to their problems. However, Zechariah challenges them to look beyond mere religious observance and instead focus on true righteousness, justice, and obedience to God's word.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the past prosperity and the current hardship of the people. The former time of blessing represents a state of obedience and faithfulness, while the current struggle reflects a departure from God's word. The south and the plain symbolize the entirety of the land, emphasizing that the blessings of God extend to all those who remain faithful to Him.
In conclusion, Zechariah 7:7 (KJV) serves as a powerful reminder to all believers to heed the words of the Lord, to learn from the lessons of the past, and to remain faithful to the teachings of scripture. It challenges us to prioritize true righteousness and justice in our lives, rather than simply going through the motions of religious observance. The verse is a call to wholehearted obedience to God's word, knowing that true blessing comes from walking in His ways.
Have questions about Zechariah 7:7?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Zechariah 7:7 Artwork
Zechariah 7:7 - "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?"
"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?" - Zechariah 7:7
Zechariah 7:8 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,"
Zechariah 13:7
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," - Zechariah 7:8
Zechariah 7:1 - "And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;"
Zechariah 7:4 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 2:7 - "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon."
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Zechariah 5:7 (Brenton) 7 And behold a talent of lead lifted up: and behold a woman sat in the midst of the measure.
Zechariah 7:11 - "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 1:7 - "¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 7:2 - "When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,"
Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"
Zechariah 7:9 - "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:"
Zechariah 8:7 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;"
Zechariah 7:13 - "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:"
Zechariah 7:8-10 - "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’"
"Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon." - Zechariah 2:7
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying," - Zechariah 7:4
Zechariah 14:7 - "But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."
Zechariah 7:10 - "And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart."
Zechariah 12:7 - "The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah."
Zechariah 10:7 - "And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD."
2 Chronicles 17:7 - "¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
"And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah." - Zechariah 5:7
"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." - Zechariah 7:11
"And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;" - Zechariah 7:1