Zechariah 1:7
Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
Original Language Analysis
בְּיוֹם֩
day
H3117
בְּיוֹם֩
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עָשָׂ֥ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֥ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
5 of 23
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
הוּא
H1931
הוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ
of Darius
H1867
לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ
of Darius
Strong's:
H1867
Word #:
12 of 23
darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
came the word
H1697
דְבַר
came the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
14 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
זְכַרְיָה֙
unto Zechariah
H2148
זְכַרְיָה֙
unto Zechariah
Strong's:
H2148
Word #:
17 of 23
zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
20 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
Sebat (eleventh month, January-February) was winter in Palestine, typically a slow agricultural season allowing focus on temple construction. Three months of work had passed since Haggai and Zechariah's initial messages stirred the people (Haggai 1:15-2:1). The timing suggests God encouraged workers with visions during the difficult construction period. Darius's second year continued the Persian authorization for temple rebuilding.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's timing of encouraging visions during difficult work demonstrate His pastoral care for His people?
- What does the formula 'came the word' teach us about true prophecy being divine initiative, not human invention?
Analysis & Commentary
The vision's introduction: 'Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah.' This occurs three months after the initial message (v. 1), marking February 519 BC. The precise dating emphasizes God's timing—during temple rebuilding, God provides encouraging visions. The formula 'came the word of the LORD' asserts divine initiative in revelation. Prophets don't generate messages but receive them from God. True prophecy is passive reception of divine communication.