Zechariah 7:5

KJV

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H559} unto all the people {H5971} of the land {H776}, and to the priests {H3548}, saying {H559}, When ye fasted {H6684} and mourned {H5594} in the fifth {H2549} and seventh {H7637} month, even those seventy {H7657} years {H8141}, did ye at all {H6684} fast {H6684} unto me, even to me?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Speak to all the people of the land and to the cohanim. Tell them, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months throughout these seventy years, were you really fasting for me? Was it for me?

Berean Standard Bible

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted?

American Standard Version

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month, even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:5 captures a penetrating divine inquiry posed to the people and priests who had recently returned from Babylonian exile. The Lord challenges the sincerity and true object of their fasting and mourning practices observed over the seventy years of captivity. He questions whether their rigorous abstinence in the fifth and seventh months was genuinely directed toward Him, highlighting a profound concern for the heart's motive in religious devotion over mere outward ritual.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 7 opens a new section of prophecy (chapters 7-8) that shifts from the earlier visions (chapters 1-6) to a direct address concerning the people's spiritual state and future. This specific verse is part of God's response to a delegation from Bethel who came to Jerusalem in the fourth year of King Darius (518 BC) to inquire whether they should continue observing the traditional fasts associated with the Babylonian exile. The Lord's answer, delivered through Zechariah, transcends a simple yes or no, instead probing the very essence of their religious practice and calling them to genuine righteousness and justice, as detailed in [Zechariah 7:8-10](/zechariah/7-8-10 "Zechariah 7:8-10 - Call to Righteousness"). This particular verse sets the stage for God's critique of their past and present spiritual apathy, emphasizing that true worship is not merely ritualistic but rooted in a heart devoted to Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is delivered in the post-exilic period, approximately 18 years after the first wave of exiles returned to Judah under Zerubbabel and Joshua, and roughly two years after the rebuilding of the Temple had resumed (see [Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1-2 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Temple Rebuilding Resumes")). The "seventy years" directly references the duration of the Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years Exile")). During this period, the Jewish people observed several fasts to commemorate tragic events. The fast of the "fifth month" (Av) mourned the destruction of Solomon's Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC (cf. [2 Kings 25:8-9](/2_kings/25-8-9 "2 Kings 25:8-9 - Destruction of the Temple")). The fast of the "seventh month" (Tishrei) commemorated the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, which led to the final dispersion of the remaining Jews in Judah (cf. [Jeremiah 41:1-2](/jeremiah/41-1-2 "Jeremiah 41:1-2 - Assassination of Gedaliah")). These fasts, though born out of national tragedy, had seemingly devolved into mere external observances, prompting God's challenging question about their true purpose and recipient.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Zechariah 7](/zechariah/7 "Zechariah 7 - True Fasting and Obedience") is the nature of true worship and obedience. This verse directly introduces the theme of **motive in worship**, questioning whether their religious practices were truly God-centered or self-centered. It highlights the tension between **authenticity and ritual**, emphasizing that God desires genuine devotion and a transformed heart over mere outward performance. This challenge extends to the broader concept of **spiritual hypocrisy**, where religious acts are performed without true spiritual intent or a desire to honor God. The Lord's subsequent discourse in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Requirements for Justice") further elaborates on what God truly desires: justice, mercy, and compassion, rather than empty rituals.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root means "to say" and is used with great latitude, encompassing answering, appointing, commanding, declaring, demanding, and more. In Zechariah 7:5, its repeated use ("Speak... saying") frames the entire verse as a direct, authoritative divine utterance. It signifies God's deliberate and pointed communication, not merely an observation, but a challenge issued through His prophet.
* **fasted (Hebrew, _tsûwm'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover over (the mouth)," hence, to fast. It implies a solemn abstinence from food, often accompanied by mourning, prayer, and repentance. The repetition of this verb ("ye fasted... did ye at all fast") underscores the central action being questioned, highlighting its prominence in their religious life and prompting a deeper examination of its underlying purpose.
* **mourned (Hebrew, _çâphad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief)," and generally, to lament or wail. This word describes the outward expression of sorrow and grief that typically accompanied the fasts. Its pairing with "fasted" emphasizes the sorrowful nature of these observances, yet God's question probes whether this mourning was truly directed towards Him or merely a self-focused expression of their own suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the broad audience for God's message. It's not just for the visiting delegation from Bethel, but for "all the people" (the general populace) and specifically "the priests" (the spiritual leaders). This indicates the widespread nature of the issue concerning religious practice and motive, and the accountability of both the laity and the spiritual guides. The command "Speak... saying" underscores the divine authority behind the prophet's words.
* **"When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month],"**: This specifies the particular religious observances under scrutiny. The "fifth month" fast commemorated the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a national tragedy. The "seventh month" fast mourned the assassination of Gedaliah and the subsequent scattering of the remaining Jews. These were significant, deeply ingrained traditions of lamentation during the exile, highlighting their commitment to remembering their national suffering.
* **"even those seventy years,"**: This phrase emphasizes the extended duration of these practices. For seven decades, throughout the entire period of their Babylonian captivity, these fasts were observed annually. This long-standing tradition makes God's subsequent question even more poignant, as it challenges practices that had become deeply institutionalized over generations.
* **"did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?"**: This is the climactic, rhetorical question that forms the core of the verse. The repetition of "unto me, even to me" (Hebrew: *li li*) is a powerful intensifier, emphasizing God's direct, personal, and penetrating inquiry into their motives. It's not merely "for My sake," but "was it *truly* and *exclusively* for Me?" This question implies that despite their outward religious fervor, their hearts may have been far from God, and their fasts may have been self-serving, focused on their own sorrow or a desire for release from suffering, rather than genuine repentance, devotion, or seeking God's face.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its divine message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to provoke introspection and reveal a truth. It implies a negative answer, exposing the self-centeredness of their fasting. Closely related is **Repetition**, specifically the emphatic "unto me, even to me" (Hebrew: *li li*). This doubling serves as an **Intensifier**, underscoring God's personal and piercing scrutiny of their motives, making the inquiry deeply personal and unavoidable. There is also an element of **Irony** or implied **Sarcasm** in God's question; the people believed they were performing a religious duty, yet God's question suggests their actions were hollow, devoid of the very devotion they purported to offer. This divine critique uses these devices to strip away superficial religiosity and lay bare the true condition of the heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:5 profoundly challenges the superficiality of religious practice, asserting that God prioritizes the heart's motive over outward ritual. This principle is a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament, where prophets frequently denounced empty sacrifices and ceremonies that lacked genuine repentance, justice, and love for God and neighbor. The Lord's question reveals His desire for a relationship rooted in authenticity, where spiritual disciplines are expressions of devotion to Him, not merely cultural traditions or self-serving acts. It underscores that true worship is not about *what* one does, but *why* one does it, and *for whom*. This call for inward sincerity over outward show resonates deeply with the prophetic tradition, urging God's people to understand that true piety is demonstrated through righteous living and a heart aligned with His will.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Isaiah 1:13-17](/isaiah/1-13-17 "Isaiah 1:13-17 - God Rejects Empty Rituals")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:5 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, prompting us to critically examine the motives behind our spiritual disciplines and acts of worship. In a world often preoccupied with external performance and public display, this verse reminds us that God looks beyond the outward appearance to the heart. Whether it's our prayer life, giving, church attendance, service, or personal fasting, the penetrating question remains: "Is it truly unto the Lord?" This passage challenges us to move beyond mere religious routine or obligation to cultivate a deep, internal commitment and a genuine desire to honor God with our whole being. It calls us to ensure that our spiritual practices are not self-serving—aimed at gaining favor, alleviating guilt, or impressing others—but are authentic expressions of love, devotion, and obedience to God. True spiritual vitality flows from a heart that seeks God above all else, aligning with His desire for mercy, justice, and a true knowledge of Him, rather than just sacrifice or empty tradition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations for engaging in spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, Bible reading, church attendance)? Are they truly "unto the Lord"?**
* **How can I ensure that my acts of worship and service are expressions of genuine love and devotion, rather than mere routine or obligation?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing outward religious performance over the inward transformation of my heart?**
* **How does Zechariah 7:5 challenge my understanding of what God truly desires from His people?**

### FAQ
**Why did God question the people's fasting, which seems like a good religious practice?**

Answer: God questioned their fasting not because fasting itself is bad, but because He was challenging their *motive* and *heart condition* behind the practice. The fasts observed by the people in the fifth and seventh months were meant to commemorate national tragedies (the destruction of the Temple and the assassination of Gedaliah). However, after seventy years of observing these fasts, God's question, "did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?" (Zechariah 7:5), suggests that their fasting had become a self-focused lamentation or a mere ritual, rather than a genuine act of repentance, seeking God's face, or expressing devotion to Him. God desires genuine, heartfelt worship and obedience, not just outward religious performance, as He later clarifies in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Call for Justice and Mercy"), where He calls for justice, mercy, and compassion.

**What was the significance of the "seventy years" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "seventy years" refers to the duration of the Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah (cf. [Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11-12 "Jeremiah 25:11-12 - Prophecy of 70 Years Exile")). During this period, the Jewish people were exiled from their homeland and lived under Babylonian rule. The fasts in the fifth and seventh months were specifically instituted during this time to mourn the national calamities associated with the exile. God's mention of "those seventy years" highlights the long period over which these fasts were observed, making His question about their sincerity even more piercing. It implies that despite the prolonged observance, the true spiritual purpose of the fasts might have been lost or neglected over time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 7:5, with its piercing inquiry into the heart's motive behind religious practice, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clarification in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament challenged external ritualism, Jesus consistently emphasized the supremacy of the heart and inner righteousness. He taught against fasting "to be seen by others" (cf. [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Jesus' Teaching on Fasting")), echoing God's concern in Zechariah. Christ perfectly embodied the genuine devotion that God sought, living a life of perfect obedience and complete surrender "unto God" in every thought, word, and deed (cf. [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). Furthermore, the fasts of the Old Covenant, which mourned sin and separation from God, are ultimately fulfilled in Christ's atoning sacrifice. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing the definitive means of reconciliation and removing the need for perpetual mourning over sin. Through His death and resurrection, believers are called to a new kind of "fast"—a joyful abstinence from sin and self, and a wholehearted devotion to God, empowered by the indwelling [Spirit of Christ](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - The Spirit of Christ"). Thus, the question of "fasting unto me, even to me?" is answered in Christ, who enables and inspires true, Spirit-led worship from a transformed heart.

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

Isaiah 58:4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Isaiah 58:6

[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Zechariah 1:12

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Zechariah 7:6

And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat [for yourselves], and drink [for yourselves]?

Romans 14:6

He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Romans 14:9

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.