Zechariah 7:10
Zechariah 7:10 in Multiple Translations
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.
Do not be hard on the widow, or the child without a father, on the man from a strange country, or on the poor; let there be no evil thought in your heart against your brother.
Don't exploit those who are widowed or fatherless, foreigners or the poor. Don't think up ways of mistreating one other.
And oppresse not the widowe, nor the fatherles, the stranger nor the poore, and let none of you imagine euil against his brother in your heart.
And widow, and fatherless, Sojourner, and poor, ye do not oppress, And the calamity of one another ye do not devise in your heart.
Don’t oppress the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.’
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
And oppress not the widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother.
Do not ◄oppress/treat cruelly► widows or orphans or foreigners or poor people. Do not even think about doing evil to anyone else.’ ”
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 7:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 7:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֧ה
וְ/יָת֛וֹם
גֵּ֥ר
וְ/עָנִ֖י
אַֽל
תַּעֲשֹׁ֑קוּ
וְ/רָעַת֙
אִ֣ישׁ
אָחִ֔י/ו
אַֽל
תַּחְשְׁב֖וּ
בִּ/לְבַבְ/כֶֽם
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֧ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
widow
Conj | N-fs
וְ/יָת֛וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
Conj | N-ms
גֵּ֥ר
gêr
H1616
sojourner
N-ms
וְ/עָנִ֖י
ʻânîy
H6041
afflicted
Conj | Adj
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּעֲשֹׁ֑קוּ
ʻâshaq
H6231
to oppress
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
וְ/רָעַת֙
raʻ
H7451
bad
Conj | N-fs
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אָחִ֔י/ו
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-ms | Suff
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּחְשְׁב֖וּ
châshab
H2803
to devise
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
בִּ/לְבַבְ/כֶֽם
lêbâb
H3824
heart
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 7:10
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֧ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
"widow"
Conj | N-fs
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, often left alone and vulnerable. The Bible teaches care and compassion for widows, as seen in the stories of Ruth and Naomi. God commands his people to look out for them.
Definition: widow
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: desolate house (palace), widow. See also: Genesis 38:11; Job 29:13; Psalms 68:6.
וְ/יָת֛וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
גֵּ֥ר
gêr
H1616
"sojourner"
N-ms
A sojourner is a foreigner or temporary resident, lacking inherited rights, but often given concessions in Israel. This term appears in the Bible to describe outsiders living among God's people.
Definition: 1) sojourner 1a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights 1b) of foreigners in Israel, though conceded rights
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: alien, sojourner, stranger. See also: Genesis 15:13; Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 39:13.
וְ/עָנִ֖י
ʻânîy
H6041
"afflicted"
Conj | Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּעֲשֹׁ֑קוּ
ʻâshaq
H6231
"to oppress"
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
To oppress means to press upon or defraud someone, often violently. It is used to describe wrongdoing in the Bible, such as in the book of Exodus.
Definition: 1) to press upon, oppress, violate, defraud, do violence, get deceitfully, wrong, extort 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to oppress, wrong, extort 1a2) to oppress 1b) (Pual) to be exploited, be crushed
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: get deceitfully, deceive, defraud, drink up, (use) oppress(-ion), -or), do violence (wrong). See also: Leviticus 5:21; Proverbs 14:31; Psalms 72:4.
וְ/רָעַת֙
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Conj | N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אָחִ֔י/ו
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּחְשְׁב֖וּ
châshab
H2803
"to devise"
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.
בִּ/לְבַבְ/כֶֽם
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
Study Notes — Zechariah 7:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 7:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 7:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 7:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
- Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 7:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
- Sermons on Zechariah 7:10
Context — A Call to Justice and Mercy
8Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying,
9“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another.
10Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’
11But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. 12They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 5:28 | They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. |
| 2 | Isaiah 1:23 | Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. |
| 3 | James 5:4 | Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:16–17 | Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” |
| 5 | Psalms 21:11 | Though they intend You harm, the schemes they devise will not prevail. |
| 6 | Psalms 72:4 | May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. |
| 7 | Proverbs 22:22–23 | Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them. |
| 8 | 1 John 3:15 | Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. |
| 9 | Psalms 140:2 | who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. |
| 10 | Malachi 3:5 | “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
Zechariah 7:10 Summary
[This verse is telling us to treat everyone with kindness and respect, especially those who are most vulnerable, like widows, orphans, and foreigners. We should not take advantage of them or be mean to them, but instead show them love and care, just as God commands in Exodus 22:22. We should also try to get along with each other and not think about hurting or plotting against one another, as seen in Leviticus 19:18. By following these commands, we can show that we love and care for others, just as God loves and cares for us, as seen in Matthew 22:39.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to oppress the widow or the fatherless in Zechariah 7:10?
To oppress the widow or the fatherless means to take advantage of or mistreat those who are most vulnerable in society, as seen in Exodus 22:22 and Deuteronomy 27:19, where God commands His people to care for and protect these individuals.
Why does God command us not to plot evil in our hearts against one another?
God commands us not to plot evil in our hearts against one another because He desires us to love and care for each other, as seen in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, where we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.
How does this verse relate to the concept of justice in the Bible?
This verse relates to the concept of justice in the Bible by emphasizing the importance of treating all people with fairness and compassion, as seen in Micah 6:8, where we are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
What is the significance of the phrase 'the foreigner or the poor' in this verse?
The phrase 'the foreigner or the poor' highlights God's concern for those who are often marginalized or overlooked in society, as seen in Isaiah 58:6-7, where we are called to care for the poor and the oppressed.
Reflection Questions
- How can I show love and compassion to those around me who may be vulnerable or in need, just as God commands in Zechariah 7:10?
- In what ways might I be oppressing or taking advantage of others, even unintentionally, and how can I change my behavior to align with God's commands?
- What are some practical ways I can put into practice the command to 'not plot evil in your hearts against one another' in my daily interactions with others?
- How can I cultivate a heart of justice and compassion, as seen in this verse, and what role can I play in promoting justice and caring for the vulnerable in my community?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 7:10
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor,.... Such as have no husband to provide for them, nor father and mother to care for them, and are in a strange land, where
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 7:10
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
Oppress not; do not first misreport their persons, their actions, and their cases, and on that pretence do them wrong, and oppress them: it is double oppression, to oppress by false information, and then condemn; the first is an oppression of righteousness, the next is oppression of the righteous. The widow, i.e.: a catalogue of helpless ones, who are under the peculiar tutelage of God, ,22 Deu 10:18,14:29 24:17,19 Isaiah 1:17,23, &c. Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart; neither think ill of, nor wish ill to, nor plot evil against, one another.
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
Zechariah 7:10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.Ver. 10. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless] Widows and orphans are God’ s clients, taken into his special protection. The stranger] Whose right is so sacred, saith one, that there was never nation so barbarous that would violate the same. Nor the poor] Whose misery moves compassion without an orator. In the Low Countries they may not beg, but only look pitifully. To grind the faces of such is barbarous cruelty; to wrong them, or but wrangle with them, is called man-eating, Psalms 14:4. And let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart] For though you never act it, yet Fecit quisque quantum voluit, He does anything whatever he wished, saith Seneca. It is said, Joshua 24:9 "Balak arose and fought with Israel," and yet the story saith nothing so. Sed fieri dicitur quod tentatur aut intenditur, saith Ribera upon Amos 9:5. He did not, because he dared not; yet he is said to have done it because he had a mind to do it.
A man may die of an inward bleeding; so of heart sins, which are maioris reatus, greater guilt, as we see in devils, though outward sins are maioris infamiae, greater dishonour, as the schools well observe.
Ellicott's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
(10) And let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.—Better, and imagine not evil against one another in your heart. The LXX., (καὶκακίανἕκαστοςτοῦἀδελφοῦαὐτοῦμὴμνησικακείτω), and Auth. Version are here grammatically incorrect, the pronoun being not here (as it is in Zechariah 8:17) the nominative but objective case, as is shown by the collocation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
Verse 10. Evil against his brother in your heart.] Do not indulge an unfavourable opinion of another: do not envy him; do not harbour an unbrotherly feeling towards him.
Barnes' Notes on Zechariah 7:10
And oppress not - He had commanded positive acts of love; he now forbids every sort of unlove. “He that oppresseth the poor,” Solomon had said, “reproacheth his Maker.
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 7:10
The true requirements of Jehovah, 7-14.The vague answer, in 4-6, though it leaves, for the time being, the question unsolved, opens the way for a discourse, in which the prophet goes to the root of
Sermons on Zechariah 7:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Deferred Obedience 2 - Part 3 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon addresses the issue of dishonesty and corruption, highlighting the consequences of cheating and unethical practices, especially during times of crisis. It emphasizes th |
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(Isaiah) the Glory of the Messiah’s Reign by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of unfairness and exploitation in society. He condemns those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, widow |
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Signs Seen, and Not Seen by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the lamentation of not seeing the signs of God's favor, highlighting the importance of recognizing outward marks of God's presence and grace upon the soul. |
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Vii. the Commercial Sign by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses the last Biblical sign of the times mentioned in James 5:1-8, focusing on the 'heaping up' of treasures in 'the last days,' which signifies an increas |
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What Is It to Accept Jesus by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of accepting Christ and making one's calling and election sure. He compares accepting Christ to having a compass on a sea jou |
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Are You Developing a Hard Heart by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the passage from Isaiah 6:9-10 where God sends Isaiah on a mission to a people who will not understand or perceive his message. The preacher |
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What Does It Mean to Accept Christ - Part 1 by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher tells the story of the prodigal son from the Bible. He emphasizes the humbling experience of the son feeding swine, which was considered shameful for a |