King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:6 Mean?

Zechariah 1:6 in the King James Version says “But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and th... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Zechariah 1:6 · KJV


Context

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

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,

8

I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. speckled: or, bay


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's rhetorical question: 'But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers?' The answer is obviously yes—God's words 'took hold,' meaning judgment caught up with them. The phrase suggests inescapable consequences; divine words accomplish their purpose (Isaiah 55:11). The fathers' return and acknowledgment demonstrates judgment's effectiveness in producing repentance. God's word never fails—whether in blessing obedience or judging rebellion. Prophecy's fulfillment vindicates divine truthfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exile's fulfillment of prophetic warnings vindicated God's word. Jeremiah prophesied seventy years (Jer. 25:11-12); it happened exactly. The returning remnant could testify to prophecy's accurate fulfillment. 'They returned and said' likely refers to the exiled generation's eventual acknowledgment of God's justice in judgment (cf. Lamentations). Historical fulfillment provides empirical evidence of Scripture's reliability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certain fulfillment of God's warnings encourage us to take His word seriously before judgment comes?
  2. What does the fathers' eventual acknowledgment teach us about God's justice being ultimately undeniable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אַ֣ךְ׀1 of 24
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

דְּבָרַ֣י2 of 24

But my words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְחֻקַּ֗י3 of 24

and my statutes

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 24
H834

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

צִוִּ֙יתִי֙5 of 24

which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת6 of 24
H853

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

עֲבָדַ֣י7 of 24

my servants

H5650

a servant

הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים8 of 24

the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הֲל֥וֹא9 of 24
H3808

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

הִשִּׂ֖יגוּ10 of 24

did they not take hold

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֑ם11 of 24

of your fathers

H1

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

וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ12 of 24

and they returned

H7725

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

וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ13 of 24

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 24
H834

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

זָמַ֜ם15 of 24

thought

H2161

to plan, usually in a bad sense

יְהוָ֤ה16 of 24

Like as the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙17 of 24

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

עָשָׂ֥ה18 of 24

so hath he dealt

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָ֔נוּ19 of 24
H0
כִּדְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙20 of 24

unto us according to our ways

H1870

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

וּכְמַ֣עֲלָלֵ֔ינוּ21 of 24

and according to our doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

כֵּ֖ן22 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עָשָׂ֥ה23 of 24

so hath he dealt

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אִתָּֽנוּ׃24 of 24
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc


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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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