King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:12 Mean?

Zechariah 1:12 in the King James Version says “Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?”

Zechariah 1:12 · KJV

Context

10

And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

11

And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.

12

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

13

And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

14

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Read Zechariah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Angel of the LORD's response to the report: 'O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?' This identifies the Angel as distinct from Yahweh yet interceding with Him—supporting the Angel's identification as pre-incarnate Christ. The 'how long' expresses the proper concern over delayed restoration. The seventy years marks Jeremiah's prophecy (Jer. 25:11-12), now complete. The Angel's intercession demonstrates Christ's ongoing priestly ministry for His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The seventy years spanned from Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) to this vision (520 BC), though Jeremiah's prophecy allowed various computation methods. The exile period had ended with Cyrus's decree (538 BC), but full restoration remained incomplete. The temple lay unfinished; Jerusalem's walls remained broken. God's 'indignation' (divine wrath) had accomplished its purpose; the time for mercy had come.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Angel of the LORD's intercession prefigure Christ's present intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25)?
  2. What does the completion of seventy years teach us about God's precise fulfillment of prophetic timeframes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּ֣עַן1 of 21

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מַלְאַךְ2 of 21

“Then the angel”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 21

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֹּאמַר֒4 of 21

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה5 of 21

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת6 of 21

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

עַד7 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מָתַ֗י8 of 21
H4970

properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)

אַתָּה֙9 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לֹֽא10 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְרַחֵ֣ם11 of 21

“how long wilt thou not have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

אֶת12 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם13 of 21

“on Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְאֵ֖ת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עָרֵ֣י15 of 21

“and on the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֑ה16 of 21

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

זָעַ֔מְתָּה18 of 21

“against which thou hast had indignation”

H2194

properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged

זֶ֖ה19 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שִׁבְעִ֥ים20 of 21

“these threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

שָׁנָֽה׃21 of 21

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 1:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 1:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 9:2Psalms 102:13Jeremiah 29:10Psalms 74:10Zechariah 7:5Revelation 6:10

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Zechariah 1 →

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