Zechariah 1:7

KJV

¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which [is] the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Upon the four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} day {H3117} of the eleventh {H6249}{H6240} month {H2320}, which is the month {H2320} Sebat {H7627}, in the second {H8147} year {H8141} of Darius {H1867}, came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} unto Zechariah {H2148}, the son {H1121} of Berechiah {H1296}, the son {H1121} of Iddo {H5714} the prophet {H5030}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Sh'vat, in the second year of Daryavesh, this message from ADONAI came to Z'kharyah the son of Berekhyah, the son of 'Iddo, the prophet:

Berean Standard Bible

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.

American Standard Version

Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah unto Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 1:7 precisely dates the commencement of Zechariah's night visions, establishing the historical and chronological anchor for the prophetic revelations that follow. It pinpoints the exact day, month, and regnal year, identifying the prophet Zechariah, his lineage, and the divine origin of the message, thereby setting a firm foundation for the series of eight visions designed to encourage the post-exilic community in Jerusalem regarding the restoration of the Temple and the future glory of God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point within the book of Zechariah. It follows the initial call to repentance and warning against the sins of their ancestors found in [Zechariah 1:1-6](/zechariah/1-1-6 "Zechariah's Call to Repentance and Warning"). While the opening verses establish Zechariah's prophetic commission and the urgency of turning back to God, [Zechariah 1:7](/zechariah/1-7 "Zechariah 1:7 - The Date of the Visions") marks the beginning of the main body of the book—a series of eight distinct night visions that span from [Zechariah 1:7 to Zechariah 6:15](/zechariah/1-7-6-15 "Zechariah's Night Visions"). This precise dating indicates a new phase of revelation, distinct from the initial prophetic word, and sets the stage for the highly symbolic and future-oriented messages that comprise the bulk of Zechariah's early prophecies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy was delivered "in the second year of Darius," specifically Darius I Hystaspes (522-486 BC), placing it around February 15, 519 BC. This period was critical for the Jewish community recently returned from Babylonian exile. Though they had returned to Jerusalem following Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, the rebuilding of the Temple, which had begun with great enthusiasm, had stalled for approximately 16 years due to opposition from surrounding peoples and the apathy of the Jewish people themselves, as detailed in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple"). The ministries of Zechariah and his contemporary, [Haggai](/haggai/1 "Haggai 1 - Exhortation to Rebuild the Temple"), were divinely orchestrated to re-ignite the people's zeal for the Temple's reconstruction, offering both rebuke for their neglect and powerful promises of God's presence and future blessing. The mention of "Sebat" (the eleventh month) reflects the Babylonian calendar system adopted by the exiles, highlighting the lasting cultural impact of their captivity.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 1:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Initiative and Revelation**, emphasizing that the message originates from "the word of the LORD," not human wisdom or political strategy. This divine origin provides the authority and certainty for the promises of restoration. Secondly, the precise dating highlights God's **Sovereignty over History and Time**, demonstrating that His prophetic word is delivered at a specific, divinely appointed moment within the unfolding of human events, particularly in a time of national discouragement. Thirdly, the identification of Zechariah by his lineage reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Authority and Continuity**, connecting him to a line of prophets and validating his role as God's messenger to a people desperately in need of divine guidance and encouragement to complete the work of rebuilding the Temple and restoring their spiritual life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) signifies not merely spoken sounds, but a dynamic, active communication from God. It encompasses a matter, thing, affair, or decree, indicating that what "came" to Zechariah was a substantive, authoritative message with implications for action and understanding. It points to the direct, purposeful nature of God's revelation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God (H3068), often rendered as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." Its use here emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant promises, providing immense weight and certainty to the prophetic visions that follow.
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** The term (H5030) denotes an inspired spokesperson for God, one who receives and delivers divine messages. By identifying Iddo as "the prophet" and Zechariah as his descendant, the verse establishes Zechariah's legitimate spiritual lineage and credentials, affirming his role as a divinely appointed messenger to the people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which [is] the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius,"**: This opening clause provides a highly specific chronological marker, anchoring the prophetic event firmly in history. It dates the vision to approximately February 15, 519 BC, during the reign of the Persian King Darius I. This precision is characteristic of biblical prophecy and underscores the historical reality and reliability of God's intervention in human affairs. The mention of "Sebat" (a Babylonian loanword) reflects the post-exilic context and the cultural influences on the Jewish calendar.
* **"came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah,"**: This central declaration highlights the divine origin and recipient of the message. The "word of the LORD" (Hebrew: _davar Yahweh_) is a standard prophetic formula, indicating a direct, authoritative, and powerful communication from God Himself. It emphasizes that Zechariah is not speaking his own thoughts but is a conduit for God's revelation, establishing the ultimate authority behind the visions he is about to receive.
* **"the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,"**: This final clause provides Zechariah's genealogy, tracing his lineage through Berechiah to Iddo, who is explicitly identified as "the prophet." This lineage serves to validate Zechariah's prophetic credentials and connect him to a recognized prophetic tradition. It suggests that Zechariah comes from a family with a history of divine communication, lending credibility and weight to his words for the original audience, and setting the stage for the direct divine pronouncements ("saying") that will follow.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 1:7 employs several literary devices to establish the authority and context of its message. The most prominent is **Precise Dating**, which lends historical verisimilitude and underscores the divine control over specific moments in history. By providing the exact day, month, and regnal year, the text grounds the supernatural visions in a tangible, verifiable timeline, enhancing their credibility. Another device is **Genealogy**, specifically the detailed lineage of Zechariah ("the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet"). This serves as a form of **Ethos** or appeal to authority, establishing Zechariah's credentials and connecting him to a recognized prophetic heritage, thereby validating his message to the post-exilic community. Finally, the phrase "came the word of the LORD" is a classic example of **Formulaic Language** or **Prophetic Formula**. This recurring phrase throughout the prophetic books signals a direct, authoritative divine utterance, immediately alerting the reader to the sacred and binding nature of the revelation that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 1:7 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God is actively involved in human history, speaking to His people with purpose and precision, especially in times of discouragement and rebuilding. The precise dating and the emphasis on "the word of the LORD" underscore God's sovereignty and His commitment to His covenant people, even when they are in a state of weakness or apathy. This verse sets the stage for a series of visions that are not merely abstract prophecies but direct divine interventions designed to re-ignite hope, provide direction, and assure the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple. It highlights that true spiritual revival and national restoration begin with a clear, authoritative word from God, delivered through His chosen messenger.

* [Jeremiah 1:1-2](/jeremiah/1-1-2 "Jeremiah's Call and Dating")
* [Ezekiel 1:1-3](/ezekiel/1-1-3 "Ezekiel's Vision and Dating")
* [Haggai 1:1](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai's First Prophecy Date")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 1:7 serves as a profound reminder that God's communication is always purposeful and perfectly timed. Just as the word of the LORD came to Zechariah at a specific, challenging moment for the returned exiles, so too does God speak into our lives and circumstances today. This verse encourages us to cultivate an attentive spirit, recognizing that God's voice, primarily through His written Word, is relevant, authoritative, and designed to guide, encourage, and challenge us. In times of personal or communal "rebuilding" or discouragement, we are called to trust in the precise timing of God's revelation and to rely on the certainty of His promises. It teaches us that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect schedule, and our responsibility is to listen, believe, and act upon His word, even when the immediate circumstances seem daunting. The lineage of Zechariah also reminds us of the importance of spiritual heritage and the continuity of God's work through generations of faithful witnesses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise dating of this verse encourage you about God's intentionality and sovereignty in your own life?**
* **In what "rebuilding" or discouraging areas of your life do you need to hear a fresh "word of the LORD" today?**
* **How does understanding the divine origin of Zechariah's message impact your trust in the authority of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why is the precise dating in Zechariah 1:7 so important?**

Answer: The precise dating in [Zechariah 1:7](/zechariah/1-7 "Zechariah 1:7 - The Date of the Visions") is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it grounds the prophecy in real history, demonstrating that God's word is not abstract but actively intervenes in human affairs. This historical anchor provides credibility and verifiability for the original audience and for us today. Secondly, it connects Zechariah's visions directly to the critical period of post-exilic Temple rebuilding, which had stalled. This timing highlights God's specific concern for His people's spiritual and physical restoration. Thirdly, it shows God's sovereignty over time, revealing that His messages are delivered at divinely appointed moments, not randomly, but in perfect synchronization with His redemptive plan. This precision echoes similar dating in other prophetic books like [Jeremiah 1:1-3](/jeremiah/1-1-3 "Jeremiah's Prophecy Dated") and [Ezekiel 1:1-3](/ezekiel/1-1-3 "Ezekiel's Vision Dated").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 1:7 itself is a historical marker, it sets the stage for visions that profoundly point to Christ. The "word of the LORD" that came to Zechariah, initiating a series of prophecies about Jerusalem's restoration and future glory, ultimately finds its supreme fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The rebuilding of the Temple, a central theme in Zechariah, foreshadows the spiritual Temple, the Church, of which Christ is the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The promises of God's dwelling among His people ([Zechariah 2:10-11](/zechariah/2-10-11 "Zechariah 2:10-11 - God Dwells in Zion")) culminate in the incarnation of Christ, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")), and His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit. The future king who would bring peace and righteousness, hinted at throughout Zechariah, is fully realized in Jesus, the Messiah, who entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey ([Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The Coming King")) and whose sacrifice cleanses sin ([Zechariah 3:9](/zechariah/3-9 "Zechariah 3:9 - Removing Iniquity")). Thus, the precise timing of God's word to Zechariah ultimately anticipates the perfect timing of God's ultimate Word, Jesus Christ, who came "in the fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")) to accomplish redemption and establish His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 1:1

¶ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,