Zechariah 7:9
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man 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; |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedMen were sent to the house of God to ask whether they should keep weeping and fasting in the fifth month as they had for years (7:2-3). God answered that their fasts had not really been for him (7:5-6) and pointed them back to what the former prophets had said (7:7). This verse sums up that old message: judge truly and show kindness and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:2Zechariah 7:3Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:6Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:9
SpeakingThe LORD of hosts speaks through the prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Zechariah 7:8Zechariah 7:9Zechariah overview
ToAll the people of the land and the priests, the Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 7:5Zechariah overview
Also involvedEach person's "brother," meaning relatives and fellow members of the community, and especially the widow, the fatherless, the stranger and the poor named in the next verse. Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:10Strong's H0251I
God commands true judgment and kindness and compassion between neighbors. The next verse adds: do not oppress the weak, and do not plot evil against one another in your heart. The people of earlier days refused this message, and God's wrath and scattering among the nations followed. Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:10Zechariah 7:11Zechariah 7:12Zechariah 7:14
Jerusalem, among the returned exiles, while the temple was being rebuilt. The question about fasting was brought to the house of God. Zechariah overviewZechariah 7:2
The eventsThe word came on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chisleu, in the fourth year of king Darius of Persia, about 518 BC. Zechariah 7:1Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: written by Zechariah, with dated messages from 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC; many assign chapters 9-14 to a later writer, while others hold Zechariah wrote the whole book. Zechariah overview
HereThe question was about a fast, but God answers about how they treat each other. What he wants is justice and mercy, not ritual done for oneself. Zechariah 7:3Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:6Zechariah 7:9
In the whole of ScriptureThis repeats what the former prophets cried before the exile (7:7, 7:12). Micah 6:8 asks the same: "to do justly, and to love mercy." Jeremiah 7:5 and 21:12 also command, "execute judgment." Proverbs 21:3 says doing justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:12Micah 6:8Jeremiah 7:5Jeremiah 21:12Proverbs 21:3
For readersReligious habits like fasting do not replace fair dealing and real kindness toward others, especially the weak. Those who would not hear this before were scattered, and that warning is set before the returned people. Zechariah 7:5Zechariah 7:10Zechariah 7:11Zechariah 7:13Zechariah 7:14
- trueאֱמֶת
The word means firmness, faithfulness, reliability and truth, including truth "of testimony and judgment." So "true judgment" means judging in a way that is faithful and can be relied on. Strong's H0571HZechariah 7:9
- mercyחֶ֫סֶד
Its gloss is goodness, kindness and faithfulness. The mercy asked for here is faithful kindness shown to one's brother. Strong's H2617AZechariah 7:9
- compassionsרַחֲמִים
The Hebrew word means compassion. It sits beside true judgment, so fairness and tender care go together. Strong's H7356BZechariah 7:9
- brotherאָח
Besides a sibling, the word can mean a relative or a member of the same tribe, and it is used for "each to the other." So "every man to his brother" means toward one another in the community. Strong's H0251IStrong's H0376IZechariah 7:9
Takeaway
When people asked God about their fasting, he answered: judge truly, and show kindness and compassion to one another. This was the same thing the earlier prophets had said, and those who refused to hear it suffered God's wrath. Zechariah 7:3Zechariah 7:7Zechariah 7:9Zechariah 7:12Micah 6:8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thus | כֹּ֥ה | koh | H3541 | thusכֹּה (koh) 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542) |
| he says | אָמַ֛ר | 'a-MAR | 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) |
| 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 | צְבָא֖וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| to saying | לֵאמֹ֑ר | le-MOR | 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) |
| justice of | מִשְׁפַּ֤ט | mish-PAT | H4941G | justice: judgementמִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan |
| faithfulness | אֱמֶת֙ | 'e-MET | H0571H | truth: faithfulאֱמֶת (e.met) : faithful 1) firmness, faithfulness, truth 1a) sureness, reliability 1b) stability, continuance 1c) faithfulness, reliableness 1d) truth 1d1) as spoken 1d2) of testimony and judgment 1d3) of divine instruction 1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge 1d5) true doctrine adv 2) in truth, truly |
| judge | שְׁפֹ֔טוּ | she-FO-tu | H8199 | to judgeשָׁפַט (sha.phat) 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle) |
| and loyalty | וְחֶ֣סֶד | ve-CHE-sed | H2617A | kindnessחֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) goodness, kindness, faithfulness |
| and compassions | וְרַֽחֲמִ֔ים | ve-ra-cha-MIM | H7356B | compassionרַחֲמִים (ra.cha.mim) compassion Aramaic equivalent: re.chem (רַחֲמִין "compassion" H7359) |
| do | עֲשׂ֖וּ | 'a-SU | 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 |
| each | אִ֥ישׁ | 'ish | H0376I | manאִישׁ (ish) : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective) |
| with | אֶת־ | '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) |
| brother his | אָחִֽיו׃ | 'a-CHIV | H0251I | brother: male-siblingאָח (ach) : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.