Zechariah 7:9

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Thus speaketh {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, saying {H559}, Execute {H8199} true {H571} judgment {H4941}, and shew {H6213} mercy {H2617} and compassions {H7356} every man {H376} to his brother {H251}:

"In the past ADONAI-Tzva'ot said, 'Administer true justice. Let everyone show mercy and compassion to his brother.

“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another.

Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother;

Commentary

Zechariah 7:9 delivers a powerful divine command, shifting the focus from external religious observances to the internal moral and ethical conduct that truly pleases God. This verse is part of a larger prophetic message given through the prophet Zechariah to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon.

Context

The people had sent a delegation to inquire of the priests and prophets regarding the continuation of their fasts, which commemorated the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem (Zechariah 7:1-3). Instead of directly answering their question about fasting rituals, the Lord, through Zechariah, redirects their attention to their past failures and what He truly requires. He reminds them of the commands given through earlier prophets, emphasizing that their ancestors' disobedience to these very principles led to their exile (Zechariah 7:12). This verse, therefore, is a direct call to repentance and a return to fundamental righteousness.

Key Themes

  • True Justice: The command to "Execute true judgment" (KJV) means to administer justice that is fair, impartial, and based on truth and integrity. It speaks against corruption, favoritism, and oppression, advocating for decisions that uphold what is right and righteous for all, especially the vulnerable.
  • Mercy and Compassion: Coupled with justice, the instruction to "shew mercy and compassions" highlights God's desire for His people to embody His own character. Mercy involves withholding deserved punishment, while compassion denotes deep empathy and active kindness towards others. These are not weaknesses but essential virtues for a healthy society.
  • Brotherly Love and Responsibility: The phrase "every man to his brother" extends these principles of justice, mercy, and compassion to all human relationships within the community. It emphasizes a communal responsibility to care for one another, treating fellow human beings with dignity, respect, and active love. This holistic approach reflects God's heart for His people and for all humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "execute true judgment" is shiphtu mishpat emet (שִׁפְטוּ מִשְׁפַּט אֱמֶת). Mishpat refers to justice, judgment, or what is right, and emet means truth or faithfulness. Thus, it is a call for judgments that are rooted in absolute truth and integrity, free from deceit or partiality. The terms "mercy and compassions" are chesed v'rachamim (חֶסֶד וְרַחֲמִים). Chesed is often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," implying a covenantal faithfulness and loyalty. Rachamim signifies a deep, visceral compassion, akin to a mother's tenderness towards her child, reflecting God's profound empathy.

Practical Application

Zechariah 7:9 remains profoundly relevant today. It serves as a timeless reminder that genuine faith is not merely about religious rituals or external practices, but about living out God's character in our daily interactions. For individuals, it means acting justly in all dealings, extending kindness and forgiveness, and showing empathy to those in need. For societies, it calls for legal and social systems that uphold fairness, protect the vulnerable, and administer justice without prejudice. This verse echoes the broader prophetic call for ethical living, emphasizing that God desires transformed hearts that produce righteous actions, as highlighted in Micah 6:8 and the New Testament's emphasis on loving one's neighbor as oneself.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 6:8 (11 votes)

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Psalms 82:2 (8 votes)

    How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

  • Psalms 82:4 (8 votes)

    Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.

  • Proverbs 21:3 (7 votes)

    ¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

  • Jeremiah 7:5 (6 votes)

    For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;

  • Jeremiah 21:12 (4 votes)

    O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver [him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

  • Deuteronomy 10:18 (4 votes)

    He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.