King James Version

What Does Zechariah 7:1 Mean?

Zechariah 7:1 in the King James Version says “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 o...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

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;

2

When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, pray: Heb. intreat the face of

3

And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This precise dating formula grounds divine revelation in historical reality. The fourth year of Darius I corresponds to 518 BC, exactly two years after Zechariah's initial night visions (1:7). The ninth month, Kislev (כִּסְלֵו), falls in November-December. This chronological precision demonstrates that biblical prophecy isn't timeless myth but God's word intersecting human history at specific moments.

The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah" (hayah debar-Yahweh el-Zekaryah, הָיָה דְבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־זְכַרְיָה) emphasizes divine initiative—prophets receive revelation, they don't generate it. This formula appears throughout prophetic literature, establishing that authentic prophecy originates with God, not human imagination. Zechariah's name means "Yahweh remembers," a fitting designation for a prophet calling post-exilic Israel to remember God's covenant faithfulness.

This dating introduces chapters 7-8, which address a delegation's question about continuing traditional fasts (7:3). The timing—two years into temple rebuilding—was crucial: the community needed to understand that God desires heart transformation, not mere ritual observance. The precise date emphasizes God's active involvement in addressing His people's questions at historically specific moments.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Darius I (Hystaspes) ruled Persia from 522-486 BC. His fourth year (518 BC) marked significant progress in temple reconstruction, which had resumed in 520 BC under Haggai and Zechariah's prophetic ministry. The temple would be completed in 516 BC (Ezra 6:15), so this oracle came midway through the rebuilding project. The ninth month (Kislev) was approximately two months before the dedication month, during a season when questions about religious observance became pressing. The delegation mentioned in verse 2 came from Bethel, a city twelve miles north of Jerusalem with complicated history—once a center of idolatrous worship under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-29), now apparently seeking proper worship. Their question about whether to continue mourning fasts showed both genuine spiritual concern and potential legalism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the specific historical dating of biblical prophecy strengthen your confidence in Scripture's reliability and historical accuracy?
  2. What does the formula "the word of the LORD came" teach about the nature of prophetic revelation versus human religious insight?
  3. Why is it significant that God addresses practical questions (like whether to fast) through prophetic revelation rather than leaving such matters to human tradition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 14
H1961

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

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת2 of 14

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֛ה3 of 14

“And it came to pass in the fourth”

H702

four

לְדָרְיָ֖וֶשׁ4 of 14

“Darius”

H1867

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

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ5 of 14

“of king”

H4428

a king

הָיָ֨ה6 of 14
H1961

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

דְבַר7 of 14

“that the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֜ה8 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל9 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זְכַרְיָ֗ה10 of 14

“came unto Zechariah”

H2148

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֛ה11 of 14

“And it came to pass in the fourth”

H702

four

לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ12 of 14

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַתְּשִׁעִ֖י13 of 14

“day of the ninth”

H8671

ninth

בְּכִסְלֵֽו׃14 of 14

“even in Chisleu”

H3691

kisleu, the 9th hebrew month

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 7:1 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 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 1:1Ezra 6:14-15Zechariah 1:1Haggai 2:10Haggai 2:20

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