Zechariah 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 26
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּהְי֣וּ H1961
תִּהְי֣וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם Be ye not as your fathers H1
כַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם Be ye not as your fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 3 of 26
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קָרְאֽוּ have cried H7121
קָרְאֽוּ have cried
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 5 of 26
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֲלֵיהֶם֩ H413
אֲלֵיהֶם֩
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 26
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַנְּבִיאִ֨ים prophets H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֨ים prophets
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 7 of 26
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים unto whom the former H7223
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים unto whom the former
Strong's: H7223
Word #: 8 of 26
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אָמַר֙ Thus saith H559
אָמַר֙ Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 9 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
כֹּ֤ה H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 10 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר֙ Thus saith H559
אָמַר֙ Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 13 of 26
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שׁ֤וּבוּ Turn H7725
שׁ֤וּבוּ Turn
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 14 of 26
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָא֙ H4994
נָא֙
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 15 of 26
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֣ם ways H1870
מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֣ם ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 16 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָֽרָעִ֑ים and from your evil H7451
הָֽרָעִ֑ים and from your evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 17 of 26
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וּמַֽעַלְילֵיכֶ֖ם doings H4611
וּמַֽעַלְילֵיכֶ֖ם doings
Strong's: H4611
Word #: 18 of 26
an act (good or bad)
הָֽרָעִ֑ים and from your evil H7451
הָֽרָעִ֑ים and from your evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 19 of 26
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 20 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמְע֛וּ but they did not hear H8085
שָׁמְע֛וּ but they did not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 21 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 22 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִקְשִׁ֥יבוּ nor hearken H7181
הִקְשִׁ֥יבוּ nor hearken
Strong's: H7181
Word #: 23 of 26
to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken
אֵלַ֖י H413
אֵלַ֖י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 24 of 26
near, with or among; often in general, to
נְאֻם unto me saith H5002
נְאֻם unto me saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 25 of 26
an oracle
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 26 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

God's call through former prophets: 'Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings.' The command to differ from fathers emphasizes the need for generational repentance—each generation must personally turn from sin. 'Evil ways' (lifestyle patterns) and 'evil doings' (specific acts) require comprehensive forsaking. The prophetic 'Thus saith the LORD' emphasizes divine authority. Repentance isn't suggestions but commands from the covenant Lord.

Historical Context

The 'former prophets' (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) warned pre-exilic Judah for generations before judgment fell. Their consistent message—turn from evil—was rejected, resulting in exile. Zechariah's audience knew this history intimately; many were children or grandchildren of exiles. The call to be different challenged them to heed what their fathers ignored, learning from historical judgment to avoid repeating it.

Questions for Reflection