Parallel ZEC 7:0

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for Bible-translators and others doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still early looks into the drafted texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

B I ◄ ↨ Zec 7:0 ↓ → ► ═ ©

(All still tentative.)

UHB ‡

HAP Hebrew accents and phrasing: See Allan Johnson's Hebrew accents and phrasing analysis.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Zechariah 7 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Zechariah 7 shifts from prophetic visions to prose narrative. A delegation from Bethel asks whether to continue fast|fasting in the fifth month, and Yahweh responds with two oracles (vv. 4-7, 8-14) that redirect the question from ritual observance to justice|justice, covenantfaith|covenant faithfulness, and mercy|mercy.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Fasting as Ritual Mourning

The fifth-month fast commemorated the destruction of Solomon’s temple. Yahweh challenges whether this practice honored him or merely served the people themselves.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Nested Quotation Levels

Verses 5-7 and 9-10 contain three levels of quotation (narrator, Yahweh, inner message), requiring careful management of quotation marking conventions.