Zechariah 7:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And when ye did eat {H398}, and when ye did drink {H8354}, did not ye eat {H398} for yourselves, and drink {H8354} for yourselves?

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, when you eat and drink, it's just to please yourselves, isn't it?

Berean Standard Bible

And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?

American Standard Version

And when ye eat, and when ye drink, do not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:6 delivers a piercing divine indictment against the people of Judah, challenging the authenticity of their religious observances in the post-exilic period. Through a rhetorical question, God exposes the self-serving nature of their fasts and feasts, revealing that their acts of eating and drinking, whether in mourning or celebration, were ultimately performed for their own benefit and comfort rather than out of genuine devotion, obedience, or concern for God's will and the needs of others. This verse underscores the Lord's demand for sincerity of heart and righteous living over mere external ritual.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 7:6 is embedded within a larger prophetic oracle (chapters 7-8) delivered in the fourth year of King Darius's reign (518 BC), approximately two years after the prophet's initial visions (chapters 1-6) and just prior to the recommencement of Temple rebuilding. This specific passage (7:1-7) addresses a delegation from Bethel who came to Jerusalem to inquire whether they should continue their traditional fasts commemorating the destruction of the Temple and the city, which they had observed for seventy years during the Babylonian exile. God's response, delivered through Zechariah, shifts the focus from the external performance of ritual to the internal disposition of the heart, questioning the sincerity and motivation behind their religious practices. The Lord's subsequent words (7:8-10) explicitly recall His earlier commands for justice and mercy, which Israel had neglected, leading to the very exile they were now commemorating.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the early post-exilic period, roughly 18 years after the first wave of exiles returned from Babylon under Zerubbabel. The Temple rebuilding had stalled for years but had recently resumed (Ezra 5-6) due to the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah. The people were still grappling with the trauma of exile and the challenges of re-establishing their lives and religious practices in a devastated land. Fasts were a significant part of Jewish religious life, particularly those commemorating national tragedies like the destruction of Jerusalem (the fast of the fourth month for the city's breach, the fifth for the Temple's burning, the seventh for Gedaliah's assassination, and the tenth for the siege's beginning). The question from Bethel reflects a concern for maintaining traditional piety, but God's response probes deeper into the *why* behind their actions, highlighting a common human tendency to prioritize ritual over genuine righteousness and compassion, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader discourse in Zechariah 7-8, contributes significantly to several major theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **True Worship vs. Ritualism**, emphasizing that God desires a transformed heart and righteous living over mere ceremonial observance. The rhetorical question in [Zechariah 7:6](/zechariah/7-6 "Zechariah 7:6 - Self-Serving Piety") exposes a lack of true worship, aligning with similar prophetic critiques found in [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Justice") and [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Rejection of Empty Worship"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Scrutiny of Motives**, revealing God's deep interest not just in *what* His people do, but *why* they do it. This divine examination of the heart is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, seen in passages like [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Justice and Righteousness as Core to Piety**, demonstrating that genuine devotion to God is inextricably linked to ethical conduct towards one's neighbor, as explicitly commanded in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Call to Justice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** (H398) This primitive root means "to eat" literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to the act of consuming food, which would be part of both feasting (celebratory eating) and the breaking of a fast. The repeated use of this verb, alongside "drink," underscores the physical acts that were central to their religious observances. The implication here is that even these fundamental acts of sustenance, when performed in a religious context, could be corrupted by self-centered motives, consuming for personal gratification or tradition rather than for God's glory.
* **drink (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** (H8354) This primitive root means "to imbibe" literally or figuratively. Paired with "eat," it forms a common Hebrew idiom for the totality of one's consumption and, by extension, one's daily life and practices. The question implies that their drinking, whether as part of a celebratory feast or the breaking of a fast, was also directed inward. The rhetorical nature of the question emphasizes that their actions were "surely" for themselves, highlighting a lack of outward focus towards God or others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink":** This clause refers to the general acts of consumption, encompassing both the times of feasting (celebration) and the breaking of fasts (mourning). The repetition of "when ye did" emphasizes the regularity and established nature of these practices within their religious calendar. The question is not about the acts themselves, but the underlying motivation behind them.
* **"did not ye eat [for yourselves], and drink [for yourselves]?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, introduced by the Hebrew particle הֲלֹא (*halo*), which expects an affirmative answer. It functions as a strong accusation, essentially meaning, "Surely you ate for yourselves, and drank for yourselves, did you not?" The KJV's bracketed "for yourselves" accurately captures the implied self-referential nature of the Hebrew phrase. The emphasis is on the beneficiaries of their actions: the people themselves, rather than God or their community. Their religious acts were driven by personal comfort, tradition, or self-pity, rather than genuine devotion or obedience to divine commands.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, introduced by the Hebrew particle *halo*, which expects an emphatic "yes" for an answer. This device is not a genuine inquiry but a powerful accusation, forcing the audience to confront their own self-serving motives. By posing it as a question, God invites self-reflection while simultaneously delivering a cutting indictment. **Repetition** is also evident in the repeated phrases "when ye did eat, and when ye did drink" and "did not ye eat... and drink," which underscores the consistent and pervasive nature of their self-centered practices. This repetition creates a rhythmic, insistent tone, driving home the point that *all* their observances were tainted. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** at play. The people meticulously observed fasts meant to commemorate national tragedy and express repentance, yet their very observance of these solemn rituals was, ironically, for their own comfort or tradition rather than genuine contrition or a desire to honor God. This highlights the stark contrast between outward religious performance and inward spiritual reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:6 serves as a timeless theological statement on the nature of true worship, emphasizing that God values the heart's posture and the purity of motivation over mere outward religious performance. It reveals that religious acts, even those seemingly pious, become meaningless or even offensive to God when performed for self-serving reasons, personal gain, or tradition rather than genuine devotion, obedience, and love for God and neighbor. This principle resonates throughout the prophetic tradition, where God consistently calls His people to internal transformation and ethical living as the true expression of their covenant relationship, rather than relying on empty rituals. The verse challenges believers to continually examine their "why" behind every spiritual discipline, ensuring that all actions are directed towards God's glory and the good of others.

* [Isaiah 58:3-7](/isaiah/58-3-7 "Isaiah 58:3-7 - True Fasting")
* [Micah 6:6-8](/micah/6-6-8 "Micah 6:6-8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - True Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:6 offers a profound and challenging call to introspection for every believer. In an age where religious activity can often be driven by external pressures, social conformity, or even a desire for personal spiritual benefit divorced from genuine love for God and others, this verse serves as a vital corrective. It compels us to move beyond the superficial performance of religious duties and to probe the deepest motivations of our hearts. Are our prayers, our church attendance, our acts of service, our giving, or even our personal spiritual disciplines truly offered as an act of worship to God, or are they subtly, perhaps unconsciously, aimed at bolstering our own self-image, fulfilling a sense of obligation, or seeking a particular outcome for ourselves? True spirituality, as this verse implies, is not about the *what* but the *why*. It's about a heart fully devoted to God, whose love overflows into tangible acts of justice, mercy, and humility towards others. This verse reminds us that God desires authentic relationship and transformed character far more than meticulously observed rituals.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own spiritual practices (e.g., prayer, Bible reading, church attendance) subtly become "for myself" rather than truly for God's glory or the good of others?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart motive that genuinely seeks to honor God in all my actions, rather than seeking personal gain or validation?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to ensure my "eating and drinking" – my daily life and religious observances – are truly directed towards God and His purposes, reflecting His desire for justice and mercy?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that they "ate for yourselves, and drank for yourselves"?**

Answer: This phrase means that the people's religious acts, specifically their fasts and feasts, were motivated by self-interest rather than genuine devotion to God or concern for others. When they fasted, it was out of self-pity, a desire to maintain tradition, or to lament their own suffering, not out of true repentance or a desire to honor God. When they feasted, it was for their own enjoyment or social custom. The rhetorical question in [Zechariah 7:6](/zechariah/7-6 "Zechariah 7:6 - Self-Serving Piety") implies that the benefit and focus of their actions were directed inward, highlighting a lack of sincere worship and obedience. It's a critique of external religiosity devoid of internal transformation and right motives, a common theme among the prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 1:13-15](/isaiah/1-13-15 "Isaiah 1:13-15 - God Rejects Empty Rituals")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 7:6, with its indictment of self-serving religiosity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets consistently exposed the futility of external rituals performed with an unrighteous heart, Jesus perfectly embodied true, selfless worship and obedience. He did not "eat for Himself" or "drink for Himself" in the sense of self-gratification or self-preservation; rather, His entire life was an offering to God and for humanity. His ultimate act of "eating and drinking" was the institution of the Last Supper, where He gave His body and blood not for His own benefit, but as a sacrifice "for many for the forgiveness of sins" ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the Covenant")). Unlike the Israelites whose fasts were for their own lament, Jesus fasted in the wilderness to overcome temptation and prepare for His ministry, demonstrating perfect reliance on God ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Temptation of Jesus")). He taught His disciples to pray and give not for public applause, but in secret, for God sees the heart ([Matthew 6:1-18](/matthew/6-1-18 "Matthew 6:1-18 - True Righteousness")). Christ's life and death perfectly fulfill the demand for genuine, heart-felt devotion, offering a new covenant where worship is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), freeing believers from the burden of self-serving ritual and inviting them into a relationship characterized by selfless love and obedience, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law and the Spirit")).

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

1 Corinthians 11:20

When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord's supper.

1 Corinthians 11:21

For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

1 Corinthians 10:31

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

1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

1 Corinthians 11:29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.