Zechariah 1:12
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?
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 21
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,
מַלְאַךְ
Then the angel
H4397
מַלְאַךְ
Then the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
2 of 21
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 21
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַ֗י
H4970
מָתַ֗י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְרַחֵ֣ם
how long wilt thou not have mercy
H7355
תְרַחֵ֣ם
how long wilt thou not have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
11 of 21
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
on Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
on Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
13 of 21
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרֵ֣י
and on the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֣י
and on the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
15 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
16 of 21
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
זָעַ֔מְתָּה
against which thou hast had indignation
H2194
זָעַ֔מְתָּה
against which thou hast had indignation
Strong's:
H2194
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged
Cross References
Psalms 102:13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.Jeremiah 29:10For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.Daniel 9:2In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.Psalms 74:10O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?Zechariah 7:5Speak 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?Revelation 6:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?Zechariah 1:8I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.2 Chronicles 36:21To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
Historical Context
The seventy years spanned from Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) to this vision (520 BC), though Jeremiah's prophecy allowed various computation methods. The exile period had ended with Cyrus's decree (538 BC), but full restoration remained incomplete. The temple lay unfinished; Jerusalem's walls remained broken. God's 'indignation' (divine wrath) had accomplished its purpose; the time for mercy had come.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Angel of the LORD's intercession prefigure Christ's present intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25)?
- What does the completion of seventy years teach us about God's precise fulfillment of prophetic timeframes?
Analysis & Commentary
The Angel of the LORD's response to the report: '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?' This identifies the Angel as distinct from Yahweh yet interceding with Him—supporting the Angel's identification as pre-incarnate Christ. The 'how long' expresses the proper concern over delayed restoration. The seventy years marks Jeremiah's prophecy (Jer. 25:11-12), now complete. The Angel's intercession demonstrates Christ's ongoing priestly ministry for His people.