King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:4 Mean?

Zechariah 1:4 in the King James Version says “Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now f... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 1:4 · KJV


Context

2

The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. sore: Heb. with displeasure

3

Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

4

Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

5

Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. take: or, overtake


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's call through former prophets: 'Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings.' The command to differ from fathers emphasizes the need for generational repentance—each generation must personally turn from sin. 'Evil ways' (lifestyle patterns) and 'evil doings' (specific acts) require comprehensive forsaking. The prophetic 'Thus saith the LORD' emphasizes divine authority. Repentance isn't suggestions but commands from the covenant Lord.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'former prophets' (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) warned pre-exilic Judah for generations before judgment fell. Their consistent message—turn from evil—was rejected, resulting in exile. Zechariah's audience knew this history intimately; many were children or grandchildren of exiles. The call to be different challenged them to heed what their fathers ignored, learning from historical judgment to avoid repeating it.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the call to differ from previous generations challenge us to examine inherited patterns of sin and unfaithfulness?
  2. What does God's consistency in calling for repentance teach us about His unchanging moral standards across generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
אַל1 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּהְי֣וּ2 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם3 of 26

Be ye not as your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 26
H834

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

קָרְאֽוּ5 of 26

have cried

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֲלֵיהֶם֩6 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנְּבִיאִ֨ים7 of 26

prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים8 of 26

unto whom the former

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אָמַר֙9 of 26

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֤ה10 of 26
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙11 of 26

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃12 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֔וֹת13 of 26

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

שׁ֤וּבוּ14 of 26

Turn

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

נָא֙15 of 26
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֣ם16 of 26

ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָֽרָעִ֑ים17 of 26

and from your evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וּמַֽעַלְילֵיכֶ֖ם18 of 26

doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

הָֽרָעִ֑ים19 of 26

and from your evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְלֹ֥א20 of 26
H3808

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

שָׁמְע֛וּ21 of 26

but they did not hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְלֹֽא22 of 26
H3808

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

הִקְשִׁ֥יבוּ23 of 26

nor hearken

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

אֵלַ֖י24 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם25 of 26

unto me saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃26 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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


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 1:4 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 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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