Zechariah 1:6

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.

But my words {H1697} and my statutes {H2706}, which I commanded {H6680} my servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}, did they not take hold {H5381} of your fathers {H1}? and they returned {H7725} and said {H559}, Like as the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} thought {H2161} to do {H6213} unto us, according to our ways {H1870}, and according to our doings {H4611}, so hath he dealt {H6213} with us.

But my words and my laws, which I ordered my servants the prophets, overtook your ancestors, didn't they? Then they turned and said, 'ADONAI has dealt with us according to our ways and deeds, just as he intended to do.'"'"

But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Commentary

Context

Zechariah 1:6 concludes the LORD's initial message to the prophet Zechariah, delivered in the second year of Darius's reign (around 520 BC). This prophetic book was written to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, a discouraged and struggling community tasked with rebuilding the temple. The preceding verses (Zechariah 1:3-5) call the people to repentance and warn against repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. Verse 6 serves as a powerful reminder of the historical consequences of disobedience, affirming God's faithfulness to His word, both in warning and in judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Faithfulness: The verse highlights that God's warnings, spoken through His prophets, are not empty threats. The "words and statutes" are fulfilled, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, both in blessing and in judgment. The fathers' eventual admission confirms God's righteous dealings.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The rhetorical question, "did they not take hold of your fathers?", powerfully underscores that the previous generations experienced the full weight of divine judgment due to their rebellion and neglect of God's commands. Their exile was a direct result of their actions, as they themselves acknowledged. This serves as a potent warning for the generation Zechariah is addressing, echoing the covenant curses for disobedience.
  • Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: The fathers' confession, "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," is a profound admission of God's sovereign control over history and His just response to human sin. They recognized that their suffering was not random, but a direct consequence of their "ways" and "doings." This mirrors the ultimate acknowledgment of God's righteousness.

Linguistic Insight

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is prominently used in this verse and throughout Zechariah. This emphasizes God's supreme power and authority as the commander of heavenly armies and the sovereign ruler over all creation and history. It underscores that the judgments meted out were not arbitrary, but from the all-powerful and righteous God.

Practical Application

Zechariah 1:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Learn from History: We are called to learn from the past mistakes of others, particularly regarding disobedience to God's word. The consequences of sin are real and inevitable, just as God's promises are true.
  • Take God's Word Seriously: This verse is a stark reminder that God's "words and statutes" are not to be trifled with. They are living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and carry divine authority. Our response to them determines our spiritual trajectory.
  • Embrace Accountability: The fathers' eventual admission of guilt, though late, highlights the importance of personal and corporate accountability before God. True repentance begins with acknowledging our sin and God's justice in dealing with it. This leads to the possibility of turning back to the LORD.
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

  • Lamentations 2:17

    The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

  • Ezekiel 12:25

    For I [am] the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 12:28

    Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Jeremiah 23:20

    The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
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