King James Version

What Does Zechariah 7:5 Mean?

Zechariah 7:5 in the King James Version says “Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh m...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?”

Zechariah 7:5 · KJV

Context

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?

4

Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,

5

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

6

And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? did not ye: or, be not ye they that

7

Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? Should: or, Are not these the words by: Heb. by the hand of

Read Zechariah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's challenging question about religious fasting: 'Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?' The fasts commemorated Jerusalem's destruction: fifth month (temple burning, 2 Kings 25:8-9), seventh month (Gedaliah's assassination, 2 Kings 25:25). For 70 years of exile they fasted, but God asks: was it for Me (haliy samtem tsam)? Or was it self-centered mourning for lost prosperity? True fasting seeks God and His purposes; false fasting is religious performance or self-pity. Isaiah 58:3-7 elaborates: fasting God honors involves loosening injustice's bonds and feeding the hungry. External ritual without heart transformation is meaningless (Matthew 6:16-18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The question arose in 518 BC (Zechariah 7:1) when delegates asked if they should continue mourning fasts now that the temple was being rebuilt. Their fasts had become traditional rituals divorced from spiritual purpose. God's response (chapters 7-8) emphasizes that He desires justice, mercy, and obedience (7:9-10) more than ritual observance. Pre-exilic ancestors ignored this, bringing judgment (7:11-14). Post-exilic community mustn't repeat the error. The fasts would eventually become feasts (8:19) when God fully restores His people. This teaches that religious practices must flow from genuine devotion and produce ethical transformation. Jesus later confronted similar hypocrisy in Pharisees (Matthew 23:23-28).

Reflection Questions

  1. Do my spiritual disciplines (fasting, prayer, worship) genuinely seek God, or are they performances or self-focused routines?
  2. How can I ensure my religious practices produce the fruit God desires—justice, mercy, and humble obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
לֵאמֹ֑ר1 of 19

“Speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל3 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַ֣ם4 of 19

“unto all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֔רֶץ5 of 19

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְאֶל6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים7 of 19

“and to the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 19

“Speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּֽי9 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

צַמְתֻּ֖נִי10 of 19

“When ye fasted”

H6684

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

וְסָפ֜וֹד11 of 19

“and mourned”

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

בַּחֲמִישִׁ֣י12 of 19

“in the fifth”

H2549

fifth; also a fifth

וּבַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י13 of 19

“and seventh”

H7637

seventh

וְזֶה֙14 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שִׁבְעִ֣ים15 of 19

“month even those seventy”

H7657

seventy

שָׁנָ֔ה16 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

צַמְתֻּ֖נִי17 of 19

“When ye fasted”

H6684

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

צַמְתֻּ֖נִי18 of 19

“When ye fasted”

H6684

to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast

אָֽנִי׃19 of 19
H589

i

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 7:5 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 7:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 1:12Isaiah 58:4-6Matthew 5:16-181 Corinthians 10:31Romans 14:17-18Zechariah 7:6

Test Your Knowledge

Zechariah 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterZechariah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Zechariah 7 with CommentaryAll Zechariah ChaptersComplete Zechariah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes