King James Version

What Does Zechariah 1:7 Mean?

Zechariah 1:7 in the King James Version says “Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the ...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Zechariah 1:7 · KJV

Context

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

9

Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The vision's introduction: '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.' This occurs three months after the initial message (v. 1), marking February 519 BC. The precise dating emphasizes God's timing—during temple rebuilding, God provides encouraging visions. The formula 'came the word of the LORD' asserts divine initiative in revelation. Prophets don't generate messages but receive them from God. True prophecy is passive reception of divine communication.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sebat (eleventh month, January-February) was winter in Palestine, typically a slow agricultural season allowing focus on temple construction. Three months of work had passed since Haggai and Zechariah's initial messages stirred the people (Haggai 1:15-2:1). The timing suggests God encouraged workers with visions during the difficult construction period. Darius's second year continued the Persian authorization for temple rebuilding.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's timing of encouraging visions during difficult work demonstrate His pastoral care for His people?
  2. What does the formula 'came the word' teach us about true prophecy being divine initiative, not human invention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בְּיוֹם֩1 of 23

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים2 of 23

“and twentieth”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה3 of 23

“Upon the four”

H702

four

לְעַשְׁתֵּֽי4 of 23

“of the eleventh”

H6249

eleven or (ordinal) eleventh

עָשָׂ֥ר5 of 23
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

חֹ֣דֶשׁ6 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הוּא7 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֹ֣דֶשׁ8 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

שְׁבָ֔ט9 of 23

“Sebat”

H7627

shebat, a jewish month

בִּשְׁנַ֥ת10 of 23

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁתַּ֖יִם11 of 23

“in the second”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ12 of 23

“of Darius”

H1867

darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings

הָיָ֣ה13 of 23
H1961

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

דְבַר14 of 23

“came the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֗ה15 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל16 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זְכַרְיָה֙17 of 23

“unto Zechariah”

H2148

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

בֶּן18 of 23

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔הוּ19 of 23

“of Berechiah”

H1296

berekjah, the name of six israelites

בֶּן20 of 23

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עִדּ֥וֹא21 of 23

“of Iddo”

H5714

iddo (or iddi), the name of five israelites

הַנָּבִ֖יא22 of 23

“the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

לֵאמֹֽר׃23 of 23

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 1:7 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 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 1:1

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