Zechariah 8:19

KJV

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}; The fast {H6685} of the fourth {H7243} month, and the fast {H6685} of the fifth {H2549}, and the fast {H6685} of the seventh {H7637}, and the fast {H6685} of the tenth {H6224}, shall be to the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063} joy {H8342} and gladness {H8057}, and cheerful {H2896} feasts {H4150}; therefore love {H157} the truth {H571} and peace {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"ADONAI-Tzva'ot says, 'The fast days of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months are to become times of joy, gladness and cheer for the house of Y'hudah. Therefore, love truth and peace.'

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 8:19 delivers a profound message of divine reversal and restoration to the post-exilic community in Judah. It prophesies that the four traditional fasts, instituted to commemorate the tragic events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, will be transformed by the Lord of hosts into occasions of joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts. This dramatic shift from mourning to celebration is then coupled with a divine imperative for the people to actively embrace and live out truth and peace, linking spiritual blessing to righteous conduct.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger prophetic discourse in Zechariah 7-8, which addresses a delegation from Bethel who inquire whether they should continue observing the traditional fasts. Chapters 7 and 8 form a cohesive unit, beginning with the inquiry about fasting and culminating in a vision of Jerusalem's future glory and the transformation of these fasts. God's response, delivered through Zechariah, transcends a simple "yes" or "no," instead offering a grand vision of restoration and emphasizing the ethical demands of true worship. The immediate verses preceding Zechariah 8:19, specifically [Zechariah 8:16-17](/zechariah/8-16-17 "Zechariah 8:16-17 - Commands for Righteous Living"), lay the groundwork for the ethical imperative found in verse 19, instructing the people to speak truth, administer justice, and refrain from evil intentions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied to the Jewish community that had returned from Babylonian exile, a period marked by the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of life in Judah. The four fasts mentioned in the verse were solemn days of mourning established during the exile to commemorate specific, devastating events related to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The fast of the fourth month recalled the breaching of Jerusalem's walls ([Jeremiah 52:6-7](/jeremiah/52-6-7 "Jeremiah 52:6-7 - The Breaching of Jerusalem's Walls")). The fast of the fifth month marked the destruction of the First Temple ([Jeremiah 52:12-13](/jeremiah/52-12-13 "Jeremiah 52:12-13 - The Destruction of the Temple")). The fast of the seventh month commemorated the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, which led to the final dispersion of the Jewish remnant ([Jeremiah 41:1-2](/jeremiah/41-1-2 "Jeremiah 41:1-2 - The Assassination of Gedaliah")). Finally, the fast of the tenth month signified the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem ([Jeremiah 52:4](/jeremiah/52-4 "Jeremiah 52:4 - The Siege of Jerusalem Begins")). These fasts were deeply ingrained in the national memory, representing profound sorrow and national humiliation.
* **Key Themes:** A central theme in Zechariah 8:19 is **Divine Transformation and Reversal**. God promises to turn deep national sorrow into profound joy and celebration, demonstrating His power to redeem past suffering and bring about a future of blessing. This echoes the broader prophetic theme of God's redemptive work, where mourning is turned into gladness, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 31:13](/jeremiah/31-13 "Jeremiah 31:13 - Turning Mourning into Gladness"). Another significant theme is **Restoration and Blessing for Judah**. The prophecy assures the returned exiles that God's favor is upon them, promising an era of prosperity and spiritual renewal for the "house of Judah." This is part of the larger message of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, indicating a future of peace and prosperity for Jerusalem. Finally, the verse highlights **Ethical Living as a Prerequisite for Blessing**. The concluding exhortation, "therefore love the truth and peace," is crucial. It links the promised blessings and transformation not merely to external circumstances but to an internal commitment to integrity (truth) and harmony (peace) within the community, reinforcing the ethical demands of God's covenant, as also articulated in [Zechariah 8:16](/zechariah/8-16 "Zechariah 8:16 - Speak the Truth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** From H157, a primitive root meaning "to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)." In this context, it signifies a deep, active commitment and devotion to truth and peace, not merely a passive appreciation. It implies a volitional choice to pursue and embody these virtues in one's life and community.
* **truth (Hebrew, _ʼemeth'_):** From H571, contracted from a word meaning "stability." It denotes certainty, trustworthiness, and faithfulness. More than just factual accuracy, _ʼemeth_ encompasses integrity, reliability, and adherence to God's covenant and righteous standards in all dealings and relationships.
* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** From H7965, meaning "safe," "well," "happy," "friendly," and abstractly, "welfare." _Shâlôwm_ is a rich, comprehensive term that signifies not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being, completeness, prosperity, health, and harmony in all relationships—with God, with others, and within oneself. It implies flourishing and wholeness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts;":** This opening phrase functions as a divine oracle formula, underscoring the absolute authority and certainty of the message that follows. It emphasizes that the prophecy originates directly from God, who is presented as the sovereign commander of all creation (H3068 Yᵉhôvâh, H6635 tsâbâʼ).
* **"The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts;":** This is the core promise of transformation. The four specific fasts, deeply ingrained in the national memory as days of mourning for Jerusalem's destruction and the exile (H6685 tsôwm), are divinely declared to become occasions of profound joy (H8342 sâsôwn), gladness (H8057 simchâh), and cheerful (H2896 ṭôwb) feasts (H4150 môwʻêd). This signifies a complete reversal of their historical meaning, from sorrow to celebration, for the "house of Judah" (H1004 bayith, H3063 Yᵉhûwdâh), indicating a national restoration and blessing.
* **"therefore love the truth and peace.":** This concluding clause presents a crucial ethical imperative directly linked to the promised blessings. The transformation of fasts into feasts is not unconditional; it calls for a corresponding transformation in the people's character and conduct. The command to "love" (H157 ʼâhab) implies an active, volitional commitment to "truth" (H571 ʼemeth) and "peace" (H7965 shâlôwm), suggesting that genuine restoration involves both divine action and human righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 8:19 employs several potent literary devices. **Antithesis** is prominent, contrasting the past state of "fasts" (days of mourning) with the future state of "joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts." This stark opposition highlights the miraculous nature of God's redemptive work, turning sorrow into celebration. The repetition of "the fast of the..." followed by the specific months creates a **list** or **enumeration**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this transformation, encompassing all significant days of national lament. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD of hosts" functions as a **divine oracle formula**, lending immense authority and certainty to the prophecy. Finally, the concluding exhortation, "therefore love the truth and peace," serves as a **moral imperative** or **exhortation**, linking the promised divine blessings to the ethical responsibilities of the covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 8:19 powerfully articulates God's redemptive character and His desire to transform His people's circumstances. It reveals that God's ultimate plan is not to leave His people in perpetual mourning but to bring them into a state of flourishing and joy, even turning their deepest sorrows into reasons for celebration. This transformation, however, is intrinsically linked to the people's ethical response. The command to "love the truth and peace" underscores that true spiritual flourishing is not merely about external blessings but also about internal righteousness and harmonious community relationships. It teaches that God's restoration is holistic, encompassing both external prosperity and internal moral integrity, reminding us that authentic worship and blessed living are inseparable from a commitment to justice, honesty, and reconciliation.

* [Isaiah 61:3](/isaiah/61-3 "Isaiah 61:3 - Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness")
* [Psalm 30:11](/psalm/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - You have turned for me my mourning into dancing")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the LORD Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 8:19 offers profound encouragement and a timeless challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God is capable of transforming our deepest sorrows, our seasons of lament, and our past traumas into occasions for joy and celebration. Just as He promised to reverse the mournful fasts of Judah, He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him, even redeeming our painful experiences. This verse invites us to trust in God's redemptive power, believing that even in our darkest moments, He can bring light and gladness. However, this transformation is not passive; it is accompanied by a divine call to active righteousness. The command to "love the truth and peace" is a foundational principle for individual flourishing and communal health. It urges us to actively pursue integrity in our words and actions, to seek reconciliation and harmony in our relationships, and to be agents of God's peace in a broken world. Our pursuit of truth and peace is not merely a moral obligation but a pathway to experiencing the fullness of God's blessings and participating in His ongoing work of restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What past or current "fasts" (seasons of sorrow or difficulty) in your life are you trusting God to transform into "joy and gladness"?**
* **How does the command to "love the truth and peace" challenge your daily interactions and decisions?**
* **In what practical ways can you actively pursue truth and peace within your family, community, or workplace this week?**
* **How does the promise of God's transformation encourage you to persevere through present hardships?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the four fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19?**

Answer: The four fasts mentioned—of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months—were annual days of mourning observed by the Jewish people during and after the Babylonian exile. They commemorated specific tragic events related to the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple. The fast of the tenth month marked the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem ([2 Kings 25:1](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1 - Siege of Jerusalem Begins")). The fast of the fourth month remembered the breaching of Jerusalem's walls ([Jeremiah 39:2](/jeremiah/39-2 "Jeremiah 39:2 - Jerusalem's Walls Breached")). The fast of the fifth month mourned the destruction of the Temple itself ([2 Kings 25:8-9](/2_kings/25-8-9 "2 Kings 25:8-9 - Destruction of the Temple")). And the fast of the seventh month recalled the assassination of Gedaliah, which led to the final dispersion of the Jewish remnant from Judah ([Jeremiah 41:1-3](/jeremiah/41-1-3 "Jeremiah 41:1-3 - Assassination of Gedaliah")). Zechariah 8:19 prophesies that these days of national sorrow would be transformed into joyful feasts, signifying God's complete restoration.

**Is the prophecy of the fasts turning into feasts fulfilled?**

Answer: The prophecy in Zechariah 8:19 has a multi-layered fulfillment. Primarily, it speaks to the immediate post-exilic community, promising a reversal of their fortunes as God restores Jerusalem and the Temple. Historically, with the return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple, there was indeed a period of great joy and celebration, and some of these fasts may have been less strictly observed or even transformed into more festive occasions. However, the prophecy also points to an ultimate, eschatological fulfillment in God's future kingdom, where all sorrow will be turned to joy. This finds its ultimate expression in the New Covenant through Christ, where believers experience spiritual joy and peace regardless of external circumstances, and ultimately in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more mourning ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Mourning")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 8:19 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The transformation of fasts into feasts, of mourning into joy, is precisely what Christ accomplishes for humanity. He is the one who bears our sorrows and griefs ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs")), and through His atoning sacrifice, He turns the lament of sin and death into the gladness of salvation and eternal life. His resurrection is the ultimate feast, transforming the deepest sorrow of His crucifixion into the greatest joy of victory over sin and the grave. Furthermore, Christ embodies "truth" and "peace" perfectly. He declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and He is our "peace" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), breaking down dividing walls and reconciling us to God. Through faith in Him, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "love the truth and peace," living out the very character of God in their lives, experiencing the "joy of the Lord" ([Nehemiah 8:10](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength")) and the "peace that surpasses all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "The Peace of God")). Thus, Zechariah's prophecy foreshadows the comprehensive spiritual restoration and the new covenant reality initiated by the Messiah, where the ultimate sorrow of humanity is transformed into everlasting joy and the pursuit of truth and peace becomes a Spirit-empowered reality for His followers.

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 39:2

[And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.

Zechariah 8:16

These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Zechariah 7:3

[And] to speak unto the priests which [were] in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

2 Kings 25:25

But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.

Jeremiah 52:4

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

Zechariah 7:5

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?

2 Kings 25:3

And on the ninth [day] of the [fourth] month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.