Zechariah 7:7

KJV

[Should ye] not [hear] the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when [men] inhabited the south and the plain?

KJV (with Strong's)

Should ye not hear the words {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} hath cried {H7121} by {H3027} the former {H7223} prophets {H5030}, when Jerusalem {H3389} was inhabited {H3427} and in prosperity {H7961}, and the cities {H5892} thereof round about her {H5439}, when men inhabited {H3427} the south {H5045} and the plain {H8219}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Isn't this just what ADONAI proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Yerushalayim was inhabited and prosperous, as were the cities around her; and the Negev and the Sh'felah were inhabited?'"

Berean Standard Bible

Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’”

American Standard Version

Should ye not hear the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:7 serves as a poignant rhetorical question from the Lord, delivered through the prophet Zechariah, reminding the post-exilic community of Judah about their ancestors' profound failure to heed divine warnings. The verse critically highlights that God's message, proclaimed by the pre-exilic prophets, was clear, consistent, and delivered during a time when Jerusalem and the surrounding regions enjoyed widespread habitation and prosperity, underscoring the inexcusable nature of their disobedience that ultimately led to the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 7 initiates a new section within the book, shifting from the visionary prophecies of chapters 1-6 to a discourse prompted by a delegation from Bethel. This delegation inquires whether the traditional fasts commemorating the temple's destruction should continue. Rather than giving a direct "yes" or "no," the Lord, through Zechariah, redirects their focus from ritualistic observance to the fundamental moral and spiritual failures of their ancestors. Zechariah 7:7 specifically grounds this rebuke in the historical reality of pre-exilic Judah, contrasting the nation's past prosperity with its subsequent desolation, thereby establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between disobedience and judgment. The rhetorical question sets the stage for the subsequent indictment of their lack of justice, mercy, and compassion in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - Requirements for Righteousness").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Zechariah 7 is 518 BC, roughly two years after the commencement of temple rebuilding and nearly 70 years after the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC. The delegation from Bethel, a former cultic center, represents a segment of the returned exiles grappling with their religious identity and practices in the post-exilic era. The "former prophets" mentioned in the verse refer to the pre-exilic prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah, who ministered during periods of Judah's political stability and economic well-being, particularly before the Assyrian and Babylonian threats fully materialized. The phrase "when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain" paints a vivid picture of a flourishing nation, encompassing the Negeb (the "south") and the Shephelah (the "plain" or lowlands), emphasizing that God's warnings were delivered not in times of duress, but during an era of peace and material blessing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **unheeded warnings**, emphasizing the tragic consequences of ignoring God's persistent calls to repentance, a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Jeremiah 25:3-7](/jeremiah/25-3-7 "Jeremiah 25:3-7 - Prophets Sent But Not Heard"). Secondly, it underscores the **continuity and consistency of God's word**; the message of righteousness, justice, and obedience remained unchanged across generations, from the "former prophets" to Zechariah himself. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme that **prosperity does not guarantee obedience**, serving as a potent reminder that material blessings can, paradoxically, lead to spiritual complacency and a false sense of security, as seen in the warnings against pride in [Deuteronomy 8:11-14](/deuteronomy/8-11-14 "Deuteronomy 8:11-14 - Do Not Forget the Lord in Prosperity"). Finally, it reinforces the importance of **remembering history** and learning from past failures, compelling the post-exilic community to reflect on the root causes of their exile to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr_):** From H1697, this term refers not merely to spoken utterances but carries the weight of a decree, a matter, a thing, or an affair. In this context, it signifies the substantial, authoritative, and weighty pronouncements of God, encompassing His commands, warnings, and instructions. The people were not ignoring idle chatter but divine declarations with profound implications.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh_):** From H3068, this is the covenant name of God, "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its use here emphasizes that the messages were not human opinions but originated from the sovereign, unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant, yet also righteous in judgment. It underscores the ultimate authority behind the "words" that were proclaimed.
* **cried (Hebrew, _qârâʼ_):** From H7121, meaning "to call out to," "proclaim," or "invite." This verb suggests a public, urgent, and persistent declaration. The Lord did not whisper His warnings; He "cried" them, indicating a clear, audible, and widely disseminated message, leaving no room for ignorance or excuse.
* **former prophets (Hebrew, _riʼshôwn nâbîyʼ_):** Composed of H7223 ("first, former") and H5030 ("prophet or inspired man"). This phrase specifically designates the pre-exilic prophets, highlighting a long history of divine communication through authorized spokespersons. It implies that the people had received abundant, consistent revelation over generations, making their failure to listen all the more culpable.
* **inhabited (Hebrew, _yâshab_):** From H3427, meaning "to sit down," "to dwell," or "to remain." This word describes a state of settled existence and stability. When Jerusalem and the surrounding regions were "inhabited," it signifies a period of normalcy, peace, and established community life, contrasting sharply with the desolation and displacement of the exile.
* **prosperity (Hebrew, _shâlêv_):** From H7961, meaning "tranquil," "at ease," or "security." This term denotes a state of peace, well-being, and material comfort. The emphasis on prosperity highlights that the people's disobedience was not a result of hardship or oppression, but a willful neglect of God's word during a time of blessing and ease.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Should ye] not [hear] the words":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed to evoke a strong sense of rebuke and astonishment. It implies that the answer is an emphatic "Yes, you should have!" The question highlights the people's inexcusable negligence and culpability for their past failures to heed God's clear instructions.
* **"which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets":** This clause emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. The "words" were not merely human counsel but direct pronouncements from Yahweh, the covenant God, delivered through His chosen messengers, the pre-exilic prophets. This underscores the gravity and legitimacy of the warnings.
* **"when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity":** This phrase establishes the historical context, pointing to the period before the Babylonian exile. It highlights a time when the capital city was densely populated and enjoying peace and material well-being. This detail is crucial, as it indicates that their disobedience was not born of desperation but of spiritual complacency during a time of blessing.
* **"and the cities thereof round about her, when [men] inhabited the south and the plain?":** This expands the scope of the prosperity and habitation beyond Jerusalem to the entire land of Judah, specifically mentioning the "south" (Negeb) and "plain" (Shephelah). This emphasizes that the warnings were given to a widespread, flourishing population, reinforcing that the entire nation, not just the capital, was accountable for ignoring God's word.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is the **rhetorical question**, "Should ye not hear the words...?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to deliver a scathing rebuke and to emphasize the obviousness of their past failure. It forces the audience to confront their inexcusable negligence and the direct link between their disobedience and the subsequent judgment. The verse also utilizes **historical allusion** by referencing "the former prophets" and the specific period when "Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity." This grounds the divine message in the concrete, recent history of the nation, making the consequences of their actions tangible and undeniable. Furthermore, there is an implicit **contrast** between the described past state of widespread prosperity and the audience's present post-exilic reality of desolation and hardship, which serves to highlight the tragic outcome of their ancestors' unheeded warnings and to impress upon the current generation the importance of obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:7 profoundly underscores God's consistent character as a God who speaks clearly and persistently to His people, holding them accountable for the revelation they receive. It highlights the unchanging nature of His moral and ethical demands, regardless of the historical context or the nation's material circumstances. The theological implication is that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a just consequence of sustained disobedience, particularly when warnings are delivered during times of peace and prosperity, when there are no external pressures to excuse spiritual apathy. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true blessing lies not in material abundance but in humble submission to God's word, and that spiritual complacency in times of ease is a grave danger, often leading to spiritual decline and eventual discipline.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets Daily")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals Plans to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:7 carries a timeless and urgent message for believers today, challenging us to critically examine our own receptiveness to God's word. Just as the ancient Israelites faced severe consequences for ignoring the clear pronouncements of the "former prophets," we too are called to be diligent hearers and, more importantly, doers of the Scriptures. This verse serves as a potent reminder that spiritual complacency, especially during times of personal or societal prosperity, can be a dangerous snare, dulling our ears to divine instruction and leading us away from righteousness. It compels us to learn from history, both biblical and personal, recognizing that God's principles for righteous living are constant and applicable regardless of our circumstances. Our spiritual well-being is directly tied to our willingness to humble ourselves, listen attentively to the Spirit's leading through the Word, and apply its truths consistently in our daily lives, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of past generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually complacent, especially during times of comfort or prosperity?**
* **How effectively am I truly "hearing" God's word, not just passively, but actively seeking to understand and apply it?**
* **What "former prophets" (i.e., past warnings, lessons, or spiritual disciplines) has God given me that I might be neglecting today?**
* **How does the historical context of Zechariah 7:7 challenge my assumptions about the relationship between material blessing and spiritual vitality?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "former prophets" mentioned in Zechariah 7:7?**

Answer: The "former prophets" (Hebrew: _hannebi'im harishonim_) refer to the pre-exilic prophets who ministered in Judah before the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This group would include prominent figures such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah, and others. These prophets consistently delivered God's warnings, calls to repentance, and pronouncements of judgment to the people of Judah, often during periods of relative peace and prosperity, as highlighted in this verse. Their messages were often recorded and were well-known to the post-exilic community to whom Zechariah was speaking, underscoring the long history of divine communication that had been largely ignored.

**Why does God emphasize Jerusalem's state of being "inhabited and in prosperity" when the warnings were given?**

Answer: God emphasizes Jerusalem's prosperity and widespread habitation to highlight the inexcusable nature of the people's disobedience. It demonstrates that their failure to listen was not due to hardship, oppression, or lack of resources, but rather to willful spiritual complacency and rebellion during a time of peace and material blessing. This context makes their sin more culpable, as they had no external pressures to justify their neglect of God's word. It underscores that God's warnings were given in an environment where the people had every opportunity to respond, yet chose not to.

**What is the significance of the rhetorical question, "Should ye not hear?"**

Answer: The rhetorical question "Should ye not hear?" is a powerful literary device used to convey a strong rebuke and a sense of astonishment at the people's past negligence. It implies that the answer is an obvious and resounding "Yes, you absolutely should have heard!" By posing it as a question, God forces the audience to confront their own culpability and the clear, undeniable fact that they were without excuse. It serves to highlight the direct link between their historical disobedience and the subsequent judgment, pressing the post-exilic community to learn from the past and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 7:7 directly addresses the failure to heed the Old Testament prophets, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets" ultimately pointed forward to the coming of the ultimate Prophet, the Word incarnate. As [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Spoke Through His Son") declares, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is the culmination and embodiment of all prophetic revelation, the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"). Just as the former prophets were rejected by a prosperous but unrepentant Israel, so too was Jesus, the Son, rejected by His own people, as He lamented over Jerusalem's unwillingness to gather under His protective wing in [Luke 13:34](/luke/13-34 "Luke 13:34 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem"). The call to "hear" the words of the prophets in Zechariah 7:7 is ultimately a call to hear and obey Christ, the one whom the Father commanded, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; [hear ye him](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - Listen to Him!")." Thus, the historical failure to listen to the prophets foreshadows the greater tragedy of rejecting the Son, whose message of repentance and salvation is the ultimate divine cry to humanity.

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

Jeremiah 17:26

And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 1:16

¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Isaiah 1:20

But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

Isaiah 55:6

¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 32:44

Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal [them], and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.