Zechariah 7:12
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. | They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts. | Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which Jehovah of hosts had sent by his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore there came great wrath from Jehovah of hosts. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe people asked whether they should keep weeping and fasting in the fifth month, as they had done for many years. God answered that the people before them had heard the former prophets call for justice and mercy but refused to listen. They made their hearts hard as stone, so great wrath came and they were scattered among the nations. Zechariah 7:3Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:10Zechariah 7:11Zechariah 7:12Zechariah 7:14
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts, speaking through the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah 7:8Zechariah 7:9Zechariah overview
ToAll the people of the land and the priests: the Jews back from exile in Babylon who had asked about fasting. Zechariah 7:5Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe earlier generations who lived in Jerusalem while it was inhabited and prosperous. They refused the former prophets and were scattered. Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:11Zechariah 7:14
The verse describes a deliberate refusal. The people hardened their hearts so they would not hear God's law and the words he sent by his Spirit through the prophets. Because of that, great wrath came from the LORD. Zechariah 7:12Zechariah 7:11Nehemiah 9:302 Chronicles 36:16
The question was brought to the house of the LORD, and Zechariah spoke in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. The land had been left desolate after the people were scattered. Zechariah 7:2Zechariah 7:3Zechariah overviewZechariah 7:14
The eventsThe refusal happened in earlier times, while Jerusalem was still inhabited and prosperous. Zechariah gave this answer in the fourth year of king Darius, in the ninth month. Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:1
WrittenTraditional view: Zechariah wrote it about 518 BC, the fourth year of Darius. Scholarly view: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overviewZechariah 7:1
HereGod answers a question about fasting by pointing to the heart. What he wanted was true judgment, mercy, and care for the widow, the fatherless, the stranger and the poor. The earlier people's refusal of that is what brought the wrath and scattering. Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:6Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:10Zechariah 7:12Zechariah 7:14
In the whole of ScriptureNehemiah 9:29-30 and 2 Chronicles 36:16 tell the same story: God warned by his Spirit in his prophets, Israel would not hear, and wrath followed. Ezekiel 36:26 promises that God will take away the stony heart and give a heart of flesh. This fits Zechariah's call to "turn ye unto me". Nehemiah 9:29Nehemiah 9:302 Chronicles 36:16Ezekiel 36:26Ezekiel 11:19Zechariah overview
For readersThe verse warns that people can choose not to hear God's word until their hearts become hard. The New Testament uses the same picture of a closed heart and dull ears in Matthew 13:15 and Acts 28:27. Zechariah 7:12Matthew 13:15Acts 28:27
- adamant stoneשָׁמִיר
The word means thorn, adamant or flint, a sharp hard stone and perhaps a diamond. It pictures a heart made hard against God's word. Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26 likewise speak of a "stony heart" that God must remove. Strong's H8068Ezekiel 11:19Ezekiel 36:26
- hearשָׁמַע
This verb means to hear, listen to, and obey. The people's refusal was not about sound reaching their ears. They would not heed, as verse 11 says: they "stopped their ears." Strong's H8085GZechariah 7:11Zechariah 7:13
- the lawתּוֹרָה
The word means law, direction or instruction, including the Mosaic Law and the body of prophetic teaching. Here it stands beside the prophets' words, the very instruction to do justice and show mercy given in verses 9-10. Strong's H8451Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:10
- spiritרוּחַ
The word means wind, breath, or spirit, and it includes the prophetic spirit. The prophets' words came by God's own Spirit, as Nehemiah 9:30 also says: "by thy spirit in thy prophets." Strong's H7307GNehemiah 9:30
- wrathקֶ֫צֶף
The word means wrath or anger, here God's anger. Verses 13-14 show what it looked like: God would not hear their cries, and he scattered them among the nations. Strong's H7110AZechariah 7:13Zechariah 7:14
Takeaway
God cares more about a listening, obedient heart than about fasting rituals. A people who keep refusing his word harden themselves and bring judgment, as Israel's history shows. God also promises to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:6Zechariah 7:12Nehemiah 9:30Ezekiel 36:26
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and heart their | וְלִבָּ֞ם | ve-li-BAM | H3820A | mindבָּל (bal) mind, heart Aramaic of lev (לֵב "heart" H3820A) |
| they made | שָׂ֣מוּ | SA-mu | H7760A | to set: makeשׂוּם (sum) : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set |
| flint | שָׁמִ֗יר | sha-MIR | H8068 | thornשָׁמִיר (sha.mir) 1) thorn(s), adamant, flint 1a) thorns, thorn-bushes 1b) adamant (as sharp) 1c) a sharp stone, flint 1c1) perhaps a diamond |
| from hearing | מִ֠שְּׁמוֹעַ | MI-she-mo-a' | H8085G | to hear: hearשָׁמַע (sha.ma) : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound … |
| the law | הַתּוֹרָ֤ה | ha-to-RAH | H8451 | instructionתּוֹרָה (to.rah) 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law |
| the words | הַדְּבָרִים֙ | ha-de-va-RIM | 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) |
| which | אֲשֶׁ֨ר | '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 |
| he had sent | שָׁלַ֜ח | sha-LACH | H7971G | to send: departשָׁלַח (sha.lach) : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send |
| 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) |
| by spirit his | בְּרוּח֔וֹ | be-ru-CHO | H7307G | spiritרוּחַ (ru.ach) : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) … |
| by [the] hand of | בְּיַ֖ד | be-YAD | H3027J | handיָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists |
| the prophets | הַנְּבִיאִ֣ים | ha-ne-vi-'IM | H5030 | prophetנְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030) |
| the former | הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֑ים | ha-ri-sho-NIM | H7223H | firstרִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first |
| and it was | וַֽיְהִי֙ | vay-HI | H1961 | to beהָיָה (ha.yah) 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) … |
| wrath | קֶ֣צֶף | KE-tzef | H7110A | wrathקֶ֫צֶף (qe.tseph) 1) wrath, anger 1a) of God 1b) of man |
| great | גָּד֔וֹל | ga-DOL | H1419A | great: largeגָּדוֹל (ga.dol) adj 1) great 1a) large (in magnitude and extent) 1b) in number 1c) in intensity 1d) loud (in sound) 1e) older (in age) 1f) in importance 1f1) important things 1f2) great, distinguished (of men) 1f3) God Himself (of God) subst 1g) great things 1h) haughty things 1i) greatness Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K) § Haggedolim = "the great one" (CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel |
| from with | מֵאֵ֖ת | me-'ET | 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) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֥ה | 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 | צְבָאֽוֹת׃ | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.