King James Version

What Does Zechariah 7:9 Mean?

Zechariah 7:9 in the King James Version says “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Execute: Heb. Judge judgment of truth”

Zechariah 7:9 · KJV

Truth

Context

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

8

And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,

9

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Execute: Heb. Judge judgment of truth

10

And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

11

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. pulled: Heb. they gave a backsliding shoulder stopped: Heb. made heavy

Read Zechariah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother—God specifies what the former prophets preached. Kōh 'āmar Yahweh Tsəḇā'ōt lē'mōr mishpaṭ 'emet shiphṭū vəchesed vərachamīm 'ăśū 'īsh et-'āchīw (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת לֵאמֹר מִשְׁפַּט אֱמֶת שִׁפְטוּ וְחֶסֶד וְרַחֲמִים עֲשׂוּ אִישׁ אֶת־אָחִיו, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts saying, true judgment judge, and steadfast love and compassion show each man to his brother'). Three imperatives define authentic covenant life:

1. Execute true judgment (mishpaṭ 'emet, מִשְׁפַּט אֱמֶת)—legal justice based on truth, not bribery or favoritism. 2. Show mercy (chesed, חֶסֶד)—covenant loyalty, steadfast love, the bond that maintains relationships beyond legal obligation. 3. Show compassions (rachamīm, רַחֲמִים)—tender mercies, the plural intensifying emotional empathy. These three—justice, loyalty, compassion—summarize biblical ethics. Micah 6:8 uses similar language: 'do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.' Jesus called these 'the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith' (Matthew 23:23). True religion isn't ritual but righteousness lived toward 'every man to his brother' ('īsh et-'āchīw)—horizontal ethics flowing from vertical relationship with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pre-exilic Israel violated all three: corrupt judges accepted bribes (Isaiah 1:23; Micah 3:11), covenant loyalty failed (Hosea 4:1), and compassion vanished (Amos 5:12). The prophets' consistent message was: fix ethics or face exile. The exile proved they didn't listen. Now Zechariah warns the returned remnant: if you ask about fasts, start by practicing justice, mercy, and compassion. Ritual means nothing without relational righteousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do 'true judgment,' 'mercy,' and 'compassion' together define comprehensive biblical ethics?
  2. Why does God prioritize horizontal relationships ('every man to his brother') in defining vertical piety?
  3. Which of the three—justice, mercy, or compassion—do you most neglect in your relationships?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כֹּ֥ה1 of 14
H3541

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר2 of 14

“Thus speaketh”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה3 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת4 of 14

“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

לֵאמֹ֑ר5 of 14

“Thus speaketh”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִשְׁפַּ֤ט6 of 14

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אֱמֶת֙7 of 14

“true”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

שְׁפֹ֔טוּ8 of 14

“Execute”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וְחֶ֣סֶד9 of 14

“mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְרַֽחֲמִ֔ים10 of 14

“and compassions”

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

עֲשׂ֖וּ11 of 14

“and shew”

H6213

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

אִ֥ישׁ12 of 14

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת13 of 14
H854

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

אָחִֽיו׃14 of 14

“to his brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

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 7:9 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 7:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 6:8Psalms 82:2-4Proverbs 21:3Jeremiah 7:5James 2:13-17Deuteronomy 10:18-19

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