Zechariah 7:12

KJV

Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, they made {H7760} their hearts {H3820} as an adamant stone {H8068}, lest they should hear {H8085} the law {H8451}, and the words {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} hath sent {H7971} in his spirit {H7307} by {H3027} the former {H7223} prophets {H5030}: therefore came a great {H1419} wrath {H7110} from the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, they made their hearts as hard as a diamond, so that they wouldn't hear the Torah and the messages that ADONAI-Tzva'ot had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. This is why great anger came from ADONAI-Tzva'ot;

Berean Standard Bible

They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

American Standard Version

Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore there came great wrath from Jehovah of hosts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:12 powerfully indicts the pre-exilic Israelites for their profound and willful spiritual stubbornness, likening their hearts to an impenetrable "adamant stone." This verse underscores their deliberate refusal to heed the divine law and prophetic messages sent by the LORD of hosts through His Spirit via the former prophets, culminating in the just consequence of "a great wrath" from God. It serves as a stark warning against persistent disobedience and a testament to the severe outcomes of rejecting divine instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 7 initiates a new section of the book, shifting from the earlier visionary prophecies (chapters 1-6) to a series of oracles prompted by a specific inquiry from the people of Bethel. A delegation arrives in Jerusalem, asking the priests and prophets if they should continue observing the fasts commemorating the destruction of the Temple and the exile. Rather than directly answering their question about ritual observance, the LORD, through Zechariah, redirects their attention to the underlying spiritual failures of their ancestors. Chapters 7-8 constitute a unified message emphasizing that true worship is not merely ritualistic fasting but a lifestyle of justice, mercy, and obedience. Verse 12 specifically recalls the historical reasons for the Babylonian exile, serving as a direct indictment of the past generation's hard-heartedness, which led to the very calamities the people were now mourning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy was delivered around 518 BC, during the post-exilic period, approximately two years after Zechariah's initial visions and concurrent with the rebuilding of the Second Temple. The people had returned from Babylonian captivity, a period of profound national humiliation and reflection. The fasts mentioned in Zechariah 7:3 were instituted during the exile to lament the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (e.g., the fast of the fifth month for the Temple's destruction, as referenced in [Zechariah 7:3](/zechariah/7-3 "Zechariah 7:3 - The Fast of the Fifth Month")). The inquiry from Bethel reflects a concern for proper religious practice in a new era, but God's response highlights that their ancestors' failure was not a lack of ritual, but a deep-seated spiritual rebellion against the clear, divinely inspired words of the "former prophets." This historical context emphasizes that God's judgment was a direct consequence of their persistent, willful rejection of His covenantal demands.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 7:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. A primary theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, as the LORD of hosts is depicted as the ultimate authority whose word is absolute and whose wrath is a just response to rebellion. Another crucial theme is **Obedience vs. Ritualism**, where God prioritizes a transformed heart and righteous living over mere external religious observances, a concept echoed in [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Obedience"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Prophetic Authority and God's Word**, emphasizing that the messages delivered by the "former prophets" were not human opinions but divinely inspired "words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit." Finally, the concept of **Hardness of Heart** is central, illustrating a deliberate and unyielding resistance to God's truth, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "Exodus 7:3 - Pharaoh's Hardened Heart") concerning Pharaoh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This term (H3820) refers not merely to the physical organ but, figuratively and very widely, to the core of a person's being—their feelings, will, intellect, and the center of their moral and spiritual life. In Zechariah 7:12, the "heart" is the seat of the people's decision-making and their capacity (or lack thereof) to respond to God. To "make their hearts as an adamant stone" implies a deliberate act of hardening their innermost being against divine influence and instruction.
* **Adamant stone (Hebrew, _shâmîyr'_):** This word (H8068) denotes a thorn or, from its keenness for scratching, a very hard gem, likely the diamond or flint. Its use here vividly portrays an impenetrable, unyielding, and unchangeable substance. The comparison signifies a deliberate, self-imposed spiritual impermeability, making their hearts impervious to the "law" and "words" of God, much like a diamond resists cutting.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _qetseph'_):** This term (H7110) signifies a splinter (as chipped off), and figuratively, rage, strife, or indignation. In this context, "a great wrath" from the LORD of hosts indicates a righteous, intense, and destructive outpouring of divine displeasure. It is not an arbitrary emotion but a just and deserved consequence for the people's persistent and willful rejection of His revealed will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone":** This clause emphasizes the deliberate and active role of the people in their own spiritual rebellion. Their hard-heartedness was not a passive state but an intentional choice to render themselves impervious to God's influence. The simile of the "adamant stone" powerfully conveys the unyielding and impenetrable nature of their spiritual condition.
* **"lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets":** This part clarifies the *purpose* of their hardened hearts: to avoid hearing and, by implication, obeying God's divine instructions. It highlights the divine origin and authority of the messages—they were "the law" (Torah) and "words" (dabar) directly from "the LORD of hosts," communicated through "his spirit" via the "former prophets" (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). This underscores the inexcusable nature of their disobedience, as they had ample, divinely sanctioned warning and guidance.
* **"therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts":** This final clause presents the direct and inevitable consequence of their profound spiritual rebellion. The "great wrath" is God's righteous judgment, a just response to their deliberate and persistent rejection of His word and will. It emphasizes that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a natural and necessary outcome when His people continually refuse to listen and obey.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, comparing the hearts of the people to "an adamant stone." This vivid imagery immediately communicates the extreme, self-imposed hardness and impenetrability of their spiritual state, making them impervious to divine truth. This simile also functions as a **Metaphor** for their spiritual insensitivity and stubbornness. The phrase "lest they should hear" implies **Purposeful Resistance**, highlighting that their hardened hearts were not merely a condition but a deliberate choice to avoid accountability. The repetition of "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) serves as an **Anaphora** (though not at the beginning of clauses) and a powerful **Title** emphasizing God's supreme authority, sovereignty, and military might, underscoring the gravity of defying such a powerful deity. The declaration of "a great wrath" is a form of **Divine Retribution**, directly linking cause (rebellion) with effect (judgment), reinforcing the theme of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:12 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of human rebellion and divine justice. It reveals that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to persistent, willful disobedience, particularly the hardening of the heart against His revealed truth. This verse underscores the supreme authority of God's Word, delivered through His Spirit by His chosen messengers, and highlights the grave consequences of rejecting such divine communication. It teaches that true piety is not found in external rituals (like fasting) but in a receptive heart that seeks to hear and obey God's commands for justice, mercy, and righteousness. The "great wrath" signifies God's holy indignation against sin, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant and His righteous character.

* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - The Consequences of Stubbornness")
* [Jeremiah 7:24-26](/jeremiah/7-24-26 "Jeremiah 7:24-26 - Disobedience and Consequences")
* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7-8 "Hebrews 3:7-8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:12 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations, including believers today. It challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts. Are we cultivating a heart that is soft, pliable, and receptive to God's Word, or are we, through pride, self-will, or worldly distractions, allowing it to become hardened like an "adamant stone"? The verse reminds us that God's truth, whether encountered in the Scriptures, through the preaching of His Word, or by the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit, is always for our good and His glory. To deliberately resist or ignore divine instruction is to invite spiritual consequences. This passage calls us to a posture of humility and obedience, recognizing that genuine faith is demonstrated not merely by religious observances but by a transformed life that eagerly listens to and lives out God's commands, thereby avoiding the "great wrath" that comes upon those who stubbornly reject His grace and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be consciously or unconsciously hardening your heart against God's revealed will?**
* **How do you actively cultivate a "soft heart" that is receptive to the Holy Spirit's leading and the teachings of Scripture?**
* **What are the potential "wrathful" consequences, both temporal and eternal, of persistent spiritual stubbornness in your life?**

### FAQ
**What does "adamant stone" mean in this context?**

Answer: The "adamant stone" (Hebrew: *shamir*) refers to an extremely hard, impenetrable substance, often identified as flint or diamond. In Zechariah 7:12, it is used as a powerful simile to describe the hearts of the Israelites. It signifies that their hearts were not merely resistant but had become deliberately unyielding, unchangeable, and impervious to God's "law" and "words" spoken through His prophets. This imagery emphasizes their willful and profound spiritual stubbornness, making them unresponsive to divine truth and correction, much like a diamond cannot be easily cut or broken.

**Who were "the former prophets" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The former prophets" (Hebrew: *ri'shon navi'*) refers to the line of Old Testament prophets who ministered before the Babylonian exile, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Hosea, and Micah. These prophets consistently delivered God's "law" and "words" to Israel, calling them to repentance, justice, and obedience to the covenant. Zechariah 7:12 highlights that the post-exilic generation understood that their ancestors' judgment was not due to ignorance but to their deliberate rejection of the clear, divinely inspired messages conveyed through these earlier prophetic voices. The authority of these messages is underscored by the phrase "which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit," affirming their divine origin and infallible nature, as seen in [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20-21 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy from God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 7:12, with its stark portrayal of a hardened heart and the ensuing divine wrath, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Word of God" made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), came to a people whose hearts were often similarly hardened against Him, despite His clear teachings and miraculous signs. He consistently confronted the spiritual stubbornness of His generation, lamenting over Jerusalem's unwillingness to gather under His protective wings ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). The "great wrath" that came upon the disobedient in the Old Testament ultimately points to the righteous judgment against sin, a judgment that Christ Himself bore on the cross. He became the propitiation for our sins, absorbing the divine wrath that we deserved due to our own hard hearts and rebellion ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation"), [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - He Is the Propitiation")). Through His sacrifice, Christ offers a new covenant where God promises to remove the "heart of stone" and give a "heart of flesh" ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")), enabling true hearing and obedience by the power of the Holy Spirit, thereby transforming those who were once impervious to God's word into receptive disciples.

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

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

Nehemiah 9:29

And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Nehemiah 9:30

Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.

Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Psalms 50:17

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.