Zechariah 7:2
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Zechariah 7:2
2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,
Chapter Context
Zechariah 7 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, love, sacrifice. Written during the early post-exilic period (c. 520-480 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Persian support for temple rebuilding came with continued imperial control.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-14: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Zechariah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Zechariah 7:2
2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD,
Analysis
When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD. This verse introduces the delegation that prompted God's extended response in chapters 7-8. The phrase "sent unto the house of God" (vayishlach bet-El, וַיִּשְׁלַח בֵּית־אֵל) can be translated either "sent to Bethel" (the city) or "sent to the house of God" (the temple in Jerusalem). Most scholars favor "Bethel sent" as the subject, with Sherezer and Regem-melech as the delegates' names.
Sherezer (שַׂר־אֶצֶר) appears to be a Babylonian name meaning "protect the prince," and Regem-melech (רֶגֶם מֶלֶךְ) possibly means "friend of the king." These Babylonian-influenced names suggest Jews who had spent their lives in exile, perhaps born in Babylon, now seeking proper worship after return. Their names reflect cultural assimilation yet their actions show spiritual hunger—they came "to pray before the LORD" (lechallot et-penei Yahweh, לְחַלּוֹת אֶת־פְּנֵי יְהוָה), literally "to entreat the face of Yahweh."
The phrase "and their men" indicates this wasn't a private inquiry but an official delegation representing a community. Their journey to Jerusalem and approach to the temple priests (verse 3) demonstrates proper recognition of established religious authority. However, God's response reveals that their focus on ritual compliance missed deeper spiritual issues—a pattern Jesus later confronted in Matthew 23.
Historical Context
Bethel, located about twelve miles north of Jerusalem, had dark history as a center of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:28-33). After the exile, returning Jews repopulated the area. The delegation's journey to Jerusalem rather than establishing independent worship shows post-exilic reforms had taken root. The rebuilt temple (though still under construction in 518 BC) had become the recognized center of worship, fulfilling Deuteronomy 12's command for centralized worship. The mention of praying "before the LORD" indicates they approached the temple precincts where God's presence dwelt, following proper protocol. Their question about fasting (verse 3) would have been directed to the priests and prophets who served as authoritative interpreters of God's will. This historical moment captures the transition from exile's disruption to re-established covenant worship.
Reflection
- What does the delegation's approach to established religious authority teach about proper submission to spiritual leadership while also discerning true teaching?
- How do their Babylonian-influenced names yet spiritual seeking illustrate the tension between cultural context and faithful worship?
- Why is it significant that they came to "entreat the face of the LORD" rather than merely seeking human opinion about religious practice?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H410 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References Lord: 1 Samuel 13:12, Jeremiah 26:19
- Prayer: Zechariah 8:21, 1 Kings 13:6