Zechariah 7:7

[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 ye not hear the words {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} hath cried {H7121} by {H3027} the former {H7223} prophets {H5030}, when Jerusalem {H3389} was inhabited {H3427} and in prosperity {H7961}, and the cities {H5892} thereof round about her {H5439}, when men inhabited {H3427} the south {H5045} and the plain {H8219}?

Isn't this just what ADONAI proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Yerushalayim was inhabited and prosperous, as were the cities around her; and the Negev and the Sh'felah were inhabited?'"

Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’”

Should ye not hear the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?

Commentary

Zechariah 7:7 serves as a rhetorical question from the Lord, delivered through the prophet Zechariah, reminding the people of Judah of their ancestors' failure to heed divine warnings. The verse highlights a critical historical truth: God’s message had been clear and consistent long before their present troubles.

Context of Zechariah 7:7

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Zechariah 7, where a delegation from Bethel comes to Jerusalem to inquire if they should continue their traditional fasts commemorating the destruction of the temple. The Lord's response, delivered through Zechariah, shifts the focus from their ritualistic fasting to their long-standing spiritual neglect and disobedience. Zechariah 7:7 specifically references the period before the Babylonian exile, when Jerusalem and the surrounding regions of Judah were "inhabited and in prosperity." This was a time when God’s "former prophets" (like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Amos) had diligently proclaimed His word, warning of impending judgment if the people did not repent. The mention of "the south and the plain" (referring to the Negeb and the Shephelah) emphasizes that prosperity and habitation were widespread throughout Judah, yet they still failed to listen.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unheeded Warnings: The core message is the tragic consequence of ignoring God's repeated warnings through His prophets. The rhetorical "Should ye not hear?" underscores their culpability.
  • Continuity of God's Word: God's message of righteousness, justice, and repentance remained consistent across generations. The "former prophets" spoke the same truth Zechariah was now reiterating.
  • Prosperity Does Not Guarantee Obedience: Even in times of widespread prosperity and peace, the people chose disobedience, leading to the eventual judgment and exile. This serves as a powerful reminder that material blessings do not excuse spiritual complacency.
  • Remembering History: The Lord compels them to look back at their history to understand why they suffered the exile, providing a lesson for the post-exilic community and for us today.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "[Should ye] not [hear]" is a strong rhetorical question in the KJV, implying a clear expectation that they should have listened. The Hebrew structure conveys a sense of astonishment and rebuke at their past negligence. The term "former prophets" (hannebi'im harishonim) refers to the pre-exilic prophets, whose messages were often recorded and known to the post-exilic community. This highlights the idea that the people were without excuse, having received abundant divine instruction.

Practical Application

Zechariah 7:7 carries a timeless message for believers today. It challenges us to reflect on whether we are truly listening to and applying God's word, as revealed in the Scriptures. Just as the ancient Israelites faced consequences for ignoring the prophets, we too are called to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. The verse reminds us that God's principles for righteous living are constant, regardless of our circumstances, whether in prosperity or adversity. It encourages us to learn from history, both biblical and personal, to avoid repeating past mistakes of spiritual indifference and disobedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 17:26 (4 votes)

    And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 1:16 (4 votes)

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Isaiah 1:20 (4 votes)

    But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Isaiah 55:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 55:7 (3 votes)

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  • Jeremiah 32:44 (3 votes)

    Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal [them], and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 7:23 (3 votes)

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.