Zechariah 7:8

KJV

¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto Zechariah {H2148}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then this message from ADONAI came to Z'kharyah:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 7:8 serves as a crucial introductory statement, marking a profound shift from the people's ritualistic inquiry about fasting to God's direct, authoritative, and transformative response. This verse employs a standard prophetic formula, unequivocally establishing that the subsequent message originates not from human wisdom or opinion, but as a divine utterance from the LORD Himself, delivered through His chosen messenger, Zechariah, to His people in post-exilic Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a pivotal transition within Zechariah 7. The preceding verses [Zechariah 7:1-3](/zechariah/7-1-3 "Zechariah 7:1-3 - The Delegation from Bethel") describe a delegation from Bethel inquiring of the priests and prophets in Jerusalem whether they should continue observing the fast of the fifth month, which commemorated the destruction of the Temple. Instead of a simple "yes" or "no" to their question about ritual observance, Zechariah 7:8 signals the commencement of a much deeper, divinely inspired teaching. This divine intervention immediately elevates the discourse from a mere inquiry about religious practice to a comprehensive prophetic rebuke and a call to genuine, heart-level obedience, setting the stage for God's detailed instructions on justice and mercy in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Call to Justice and Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the early post-exilic period (circa 520-518 BC), a time when the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity and were engaged in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. While the physical structure was being restored, their spiritual condition was often characterized by a focus on external rituals and traditions, rather than true covenant faithfulness. The fasts mentioned in [Zechariah 7:3](/zechariah/7-3 "Zechariah 7:3 - Inquiry about Fasts") (and later in [Zechariah 8:19](/zechariah/8-19 "Zechariah 8:19 - Fasting Turned to Feasting")) were humanly instituted commemorations of national tragedies, such as the destruction of the Temple and the siege of Jerusalem. The delegation's inquiry reveals a concern for maintaining these traditions, but God's response through Zechariah challenges their superficial piety, highlighting a disconnect between their outward observances and their inward spiritual state and ethical conduct.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 7:8 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Zechariah and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Revelation and Communication**, emphasizing God's active and continuous engagement with His people through His chosen messengers. The phrase "the word of the LORD came" underscores the **Prophetic Authority** of Zechariah's message, asserting its divine origin and infallible nature, distinguishing it from human counsel. This verse also serves as a crucial **Transition to Instruction**, shifting the narrative focus from human inquiry to divine command, thereby setting the theological trajectory for God's subsequent call for His people to prioritize genuine righteousness, justice, and mercy over mere ritualistic conformity, a theme powerfully articulated in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Call to Justice and Mercy") and [Zechariah 8:16-17](/zechariah/8-16-17 "Zechariah 8:16-17 - Commands for Truth and Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term, H1697, is far more expansive than a mere utterance. It signifies a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "deed," or "message." When used in the context of God, `dâbâr` implies a powerful, active, and effective communication that carries the weight of His Person and purpose. It is not just information but a living, authoritative declaration that brings about what it speaks.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068, the sacred covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It derives from the root "to be," signifying "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." Its presence here emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, unchanging, and covenant-keeping God of Israel, lending ultimate authority and reliability to the words that follow.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559, a primitive root meaning "to say," but used with great latitude to include "appoint," "command," "declare," or "utter." In this context, it highlights the directness and intentionality of God's communication. It implies a deliberate, articulate declaration of divine will, preparing the audience for specific instructions or pronouncements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the word of the LORD came":** This opening clause employs a standard prophetic formula, indicating a direct, supernatural communication from God to His chosen messenger. The "word" (dâbâr) is not merely a thought or idea, but an active, potent message, carrying the full authority and power of the divine speaker, the LORD (Yᵉhôvâh). This phrase signals the commencement of divine revelation, emphasizing that the subsequent message is not Zechariah's own insight but God's authoritative utterance.
* **"unto Zechariah":** This specifies the recipient of the divine word. Zechariah, as a prophet, serves as the conduit through whom God chooses to reveal His will to His people. This highlights God's method of communication through human instruments, validating Zechariah's prophetic office and ensuring the message's authenticity as coming directly from God, not from human conjecture or tradition.
* **"saying":** This concluding participle introduces the content of the divine message. It implies that what follows is the direct speech of the LORD, transcribed or recounted by Zechariah. It serves as a linguistic bridge, preparing the listener or reader for the specific divine pronouncements, commands, or rebukes that constitute the core of God's response to the people's inquiry.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 7:8 utilizes several key literary devices to underscore the significance of the upcoming message. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula**, "And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying," which is a recurring and powerful convention throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - God's Word to Jeremiah"), [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - God's Word to Ezekiel")). This formula serves to establish the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent words, leaving no doubt that what follows is not human opinion but an infallible utterance from God. This also functions as a **Divine Address**, directly signaling God's intervention into the human sphere and His active communication with His people. Furthermore, the verse acts as a crucial **Transition**, marking a clear shift in the narrative from the people's human inquiry about ritualistic fasting to God's comprehensive and authoritative response concerning true righteousness and justice. This transition elevates the discourse from a matter of external observance to one of internal spiritual condition and ethical conduct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 7:8 powerfully affirms the biblical truth of God's active and intentional revelation to humanity. The phrase "the word of the LORD came" underscores God's sovereignty and His desire to communicate His will directly, not leaving His people to wander in spiritual ignorance. This divine initiative highlights that true spiritual understanding and guidance originate from God's authoritative word, which is living, active, and transformative. It emphasizes that prophetic ministry is fundamentally about delivering God's message, not human wisdom, thereby establishing the foundation for all subsequent divine instruction and correction. This verse sets the stage for a deeper theological exploration of what God truly desires from His people: not merely outward ritual, but inward righteousness and ethical living, a theme central to the prophetic tradition.

* [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - God's Word to Jeremiah")
* [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - God's Word to Ezekiel")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secret to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 7:8, though brief, carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, actively engaged in communicating His will and truth to humanity. While He no longer speaks through prophets in the same direct manner as in ancient Israel, His "word" is fully preserved and accessible to us through the inspired Holy Scriptures. This verse calls us to approach the Bible with reverence and expectation, recognizing that within its pages lies the authoritative, living word of the LORD, capable of guiding, correcting, and transforming our lives. True spirituality, as exemplified by the context of Zechariah, is not merely about adhering to rituals or traditions, but about listening intently to God's voice, internalizing His commands for justice, mercy, and humility, and allowing His word to shape our character and actions in every sphere of life. It challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity to a genuine, obedient relationship with the divine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the "word of the LORD" as authoritative impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be prioritizing external religious practices over genuine obedience to God's character and commands (e.g., justice, mercy, humility)?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's "word" in your daily life, even outside of formal study?**
* **What does Zechariah 7:8 teach us about the nature of God's communication with humanity?**

### FAQ

**Why is Zechariah 7:8 so short and seemingly simple, given its placement in a prophetic book?**

Answer: Zechariah 7:8, though brief, is far from simple; it is a highly significant and deliberate **prophetic formula**. Its brevity and directness serve to powerfully establish the divine authority of the message that follows. In ancient Israel, this precise phrasing—"And the word of the LORD came unto [prophet's name], saying"—was a universally recognized signal that the subsequent words were not the prophet's own opinions or insights, but a direct, infallible revelation from Yahweh Himself. It acts as a crucial literary and theological marker, shifting the narrative from human inquiry to divine pronouncement and lending immense weight and urgency to God's detailed response concerning true righteousness and justice in [Zechariah 7:9-10](/zechariah/7-9-10 "Zechariah 7:9-10 - God's Call to Justice and Mercy"). Its function is to authenticate the message, not to provide detailed content within itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 7:8 speaks of the "word of the LORD" coming to a prophet, its deepest fulfillment is found in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament "word of the LORD" (Hebrew: _dâbâr Yᵉhôvâh_) was God's active, authoritative communication, often delivered through prophets. This prophetic word consistently pointed forward to a greater revelation. In the New Testament, we discover that Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect embodiment of God's "Word," as declared in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made by him." He is the **Logos**, the living Word who not only speaks God's message but *is* God's message incarnate. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") beautifully summarizes this fulfillment: "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." Thus, the coming of the "word of the LORD" to Zechariah foreshadows the ultimate coming of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, who fully reveals God's character, will, and plan of salvation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the final and complete revelation, the one to whom all prophetic words ultimately point.

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.