Zechariah 1:6
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. | But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’” | But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? and they turned and said, Like as Jehovah of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedZechariah reminds the returned exiles that their fathers ignored the earlier prophets. The fathers and those prophets are gone, but God's words did not die. They caught up with the fathers, who then admitted that God had dealt with them just as their ways deserved. Zechariah 1:4Zechariah 1:5Zechariah 1:6
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts speaks through the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah, son of Iddo. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 1:3Zechariah overview
ToThe people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe audience's fathers. They refused the former prophets, were overtaken by God's words, and then confessed that his dealings with them were deserved. Zechariah 1:2Zechariah 1:4Zechariah 1:6
God's spoken warnings and statutes, given through his servants the prophets, came true on the fathers. The fathers turned and confessed that God did to them what he had planned, matching their ways and deeds. Zechariah 1:6Lamentations 2:17Daniel 9:12
The message was given in Jerusalem, among the people who had returned while the temple was being rebuilt. Zechariah overview
The eventsThe verse looks back on the generation judged before and during the exile. It is spoken in the eighth month of the second year of Darius. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 1:2Zechariah 1:4Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, about 520 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8 come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overviewZechariah 1:1
HereThe verse backs up the call in verse 3, "Turn ye unto me... and I will turn unto you." The fathers' history shows that God's word always comes to pass, so the people should not repeat their fathers' refusal. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:4Zechariah overview
In the whole of ScriptureScripture repeatedly says God's word cannot fail. Deuteronomy warned that curses would "overtake" the disobedient, and Daniel confessed that God "hath confirmed his words" against Jerusalem. Ezekiel says "the word which I have spoken shall be done," and Jesus says "my words shall not pass away." Deuteronomy 28:15Daniel 9:11Daniel 9:12Ezekiel 12:28Matthew 24:35
For readersPeople and preachers pass away, but God's word remains and does what he says. The right answer to his warnings is to turn to him now, not after his words have overtaken us. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:5Zechariah 1:6Matthew 24:35
- take hold of (overtake)נָשַׂג
The word means to reach, overtake, or take hold upon. God's words are pictured as pursuing and catching the fathers, as Deuteronomy 28:15 warned that curses would "overtake" those who did not hearken. Strong's H5381Deuteronomy 28:15
- returned (repented)שׁוּב
The word means to turn back or return, including turning back to God in repentance. It is the same idea as the call "Turn ye unto me" in verse 3, so the fathers' late turning is set before the children as a lesson. Strong's H7725OZechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:4
- thought (planned)זָמַם
The word means to purpose or devise. The judgment was not random; it was what God had purposed, as Lamentations 2:17 says: "The LORD hath done that which he had devised." Strong's H2161Lamentations 2:17Jeremiah 23:20
- statutesחֹק
The word means decrees or statutes prescribed by God. It ties the prophets' message to God's law, which Deuteronomy 28:15 and Daniel 9:11 say brought curses when it was disobeyed. Strong's H2706GDeuteronomy 28:15Daniel 9:11
Takeaway
The prophets died and the fathers died, but God's words lived on and came true. That is why the returned exiles should turn to the LORD now. Zechariah 1:3Zechariah 1:5Zechariah 1:6
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nevertheless | אַ֣ךְ׀ | 'akh | H0389 | surelyאַךְ (akh) 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive) |
| words my | דְּבָרַ֣י | de-va-RAI | H1697G | wordדָּבָר (da.var) : word/speech/command 1) speech, word, speaking, thing 1a) speech 1b) saying, utterance 1c) word, words 1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension) |
| and statutes my | וְחֻקַּ֗י | ve-chu-KAI | H2706G | statute: decreeחֹק (choq) : decree 1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due 1a) prescribed task 1b) prescribed portion 1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve 1d) prescribed due 1e) prescribed limit, boundary 1f) enactment, decree, ordinance 1f1) specific decree 1f2) law in general 1g) enactments, statutes 1g1) conditions 1g2) enactments 1g3) decrees 1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God |
| which | אֲשֶׁ֤ר | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| I commanded | צִוִּ֙יתִי֙ | tzi-VI-ti | H6680 | to commandצָוָה (tsa.vah) 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded |
| servants my | עֲבָדַ֣י | 'a-va-DAI | H5650 | servant/slaveעֲבַד (a.vad) servant, slave Aramaic of e.ved (עֶ֫בֶד "servant/slave" H5650) |
| the prophets | הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים | ha-ne-vi-'IM | H5030 | prophetנְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030) |
| ¿ not | הֲל֥וֹא | ha-LO' | H3808 | notלֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809) |
| did they overtake | הִשִּׂ֖יגוּ | hi-SI-gu | H5381 | to overtakeנָשַׂג (na.sag) 1) to reach, overtake, take hold upon 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to overtake 1a2) to reach, attain to, cause to reach 1a3) to be able to secure, reach, have enough |
| ancestors your | אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֑ם | 'a-vo-tei-KHEM | H0001G | fatherאָב (av) 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002) |
| and they repented | וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ | vai-ya-SHU-vu | H7725O | to return: returnשׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) … |
| and they said | וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ | vai-yo-me-RU | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| just as | כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר | ka-'a-SHER | H0834D | as whichכַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) conj 1) according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| he planned | זָמַ֜ם | za-MAM | H2161 | to planזָמַם (za.mam) 1) to have a thought, devise, plan, consider, purpose 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to consider, fix thought upon 1a2) to purpose, devise 1a3) to plot (of evil intent) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֤ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| of hosts | צְבָאוֹת֙ | tze-va-'OT | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| to do | לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת | la-'a-SOT | H6213A | to make: doעָשָׂה (a.sah) : do/perform 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made |
| according to ways our | כִּדְרָכֵ֙ינוּ֙ | kid-ra-KHEI-nu | H1870G | way: conductדֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) : conduct/lifestyle 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.) |
| and according to deeds our | וּכְמַ֣עֲלָלֵ֔ינוּ | u-khe-MA-'a-la-LEI-nu | H4611 | deedמַעֲלָל (ma.a.lal) 1) deed, practice 1a) practice (usually bad) 1b) deeds 1c) acts |
| so | כֵּ֖ן | ken | H3651C | rightכֵּן (ken) adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable |
| he has done | עָשָׂ֥ה | 'a-SAH | H6213A | to make: doעָשָׂה (a.sah) : do/perform 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made |
| with us | אִתָּֽנוּ׃ ס | 'i-TA-nu | H0854 | withאֵת (et) 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.