Zechariah 1:12

Authorized King James Version

Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣עַן
H6030
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
מַלְאַךְ
H4397
Then the angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#3
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
וַיֹּאמַר֒
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
O LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
צְבָא֔וֹת
H6635
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#7
עַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#8
מָתַ֗י
H4970
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
#9
אַתָּה֙
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#10
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
תְרַחֵ֣ם
H7355
how long wilt thou not have mercy
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
H3389
on Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#14
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
עָרֵ֣י
H5892
and on the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#16
יְהוּדָ֑ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#17
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
זָעַ֔מְתָּה
H2194
against which thou hast had indignation
properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged
#19
זֶ֖ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#20
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
H7657
these threescore and ten
seventy
#21
שָׁנָֽה׃
H8141
years
a year (as a revolution of time)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing mercy contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection