Zechariah 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Zechariah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Zechariah's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection