Zechariah 7:1
New International Version
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev.

New Living Translation
On December 7 of the fourth year of King Darius’s reign, another message came to Zechariah from the LORD.

English Standard Version
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

Berean Standard Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.

King James Bible
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

New King James Version
Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev,

New American Standard Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

NASB 1995
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

NASB 1977
Then it came about in the fourth year of King Darius, that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that in the fourth year of King Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

Amplified Bible
In the fourth year of [the reign of] King Darius [of Persia], the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev (Dec 7, 518 B.C.).

Christian Standard Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of Jehovah came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chislev.

Contemporary English Version
On the fourth day of Chislev, the ninth month of the fourth year that Darius was king of Persia, the LORD again spoke to me.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chislev.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the fourth day of the ninth month (the month of Chislev) in Darius' fourth year as king, the LORD spoke his word to Zechariah.

Good News Translation
In the fourth year that Darius was emperor, on the fourth day of the ninth month (the month of Kislev), the LORD gave me a message.

International Standard Version
During the fourth year of the reign of King Darius, a message from the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month Kislev.

Majority Standard Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.

NET Bible
In King Darius' fourth year, on the fourth day of Kislev, the ninth month, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah.

New Heart English Bible
It happened in the fourth year of king Darayavush that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

World English Bible
In the fourth year of King Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, in the fourth year of Darius the king, a word of YHWH has been to Zechariah, in the fourth of the ninth month, in Chisleu.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, in the fourth year of Darius the king hath a word of Jehovah been unto Zechariah, in the fourth of the ninth month, in Chisleu.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the fourth year to Darius the king, the word of Jehovah was to Zechariah in the fourth to the ninth month, in Chisleu;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the Lord came to Zacharias, in the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Casleu.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it happened, in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Kislev.

New American Bible
In the fourth year of Darius the king, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Kislev.

New Revised Standard Version
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND it came to pass in the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Canun,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was in the fourth year of Darius the King, the word of LORD JEHOVAH was upon Zechariah on the fourth day in the ninth month, which is Kanun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chislev;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Darius the king, that the word of the Lord came to Zacharias on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chaseleu.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Call to Justice and Mercy
1In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev. 2Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech, along with their men, to plead before the LORD…

Cross References
Ezra 5:1
Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.

Ezra 6:14
So the Jewish elders built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

Haggai 1:1
In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating

Haggai 2:1
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying:

Zechariah 1:1
In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying:

Zechariah 1:7
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.

Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Nehemiah 12:1
Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

Jeremiah 29:10
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

Jeremiah 25:12
But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.

Daniel 9:2
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Acts 15:32
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

the fourth.

Zechariah 1:1
In the eighth month, 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,

Ezra 6:14,15
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia…

Haggai 2:10,20
In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, …

Chisleu.

Nehemiah 1:1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

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Chisleu Chislev Darius Fourth Kislev Month Ninth Word Zechariah Zechari'ah
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Chisleu Chislev Darius Fourth Kislev Month Ninth Word Zechariah Zechari'ah
Zechariah 7
1. The captives enquire concerning the set fasts.
4. Zechariah reproves the hypocrisy of their fasting.
8. Sin the cause of their captivity.














In the fourth year of King Darius
This phrase sets the historical context for the prophecy. King Darius I of Persia reigned from 522 to 486 BC, and the fourth year of his reign would be around 518 BC. This was a time when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and were in the process of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The mention of Darius highlights the Persian influence over the Jewish people during this period, reminding us of God's sovereignty in using foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes. The historical setting underscores the theme of restoration and renewal, as God was actively working to re-establish His people in their land.

the word of the LORD came to Zechariah
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the message. "The word of the LORD" is a common prophetic formula indicating that the message is not of human origin but is a direct revelation from God. The Hebrew term for "word" (דָּבָר, dabar) implies not just a spoken message but an active, powerful force that accomplishes God's will. Zechariah, whose name means "Yahweh remembers," serves as a conduit for God's communication, reminding the people that God has not forgotten His covenant promises. This phrase assures us of the reliability and authority of the prophetic message.

on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev
This specific dating provides a precise historical marker, which is significant for understanding the context of the prophecy. Kislev corresponds to November-December in the Gregorian calendar. The specificity of the date underscores the importance of the message and the urgency with which it was delivered. In the Jewish calendar, Kislev is a month associated with the onset of winter, a time of waiting and anticipation. This timing may symbolize a period of spiritual reflection and preparation for the people, as they consider their relationship with God and their commitment to His commands.

Verse 1-ch. 8:23. - Part II. THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION CONCERNING THE OBSERVANCE OF CERTAIN FASTS. Verses 1-3. - § 1. A deputation comes from Bethel to ask whether a fast instituted in memory of the calamity of Jerusalem was still to be observed. Verse 1. - In the fourth year of King Darius. This happened, then, B.C. 518, nearly two years after the visions had occurred (Zechariah 1:7). In two years more the temple was finished (Ezra 6:15), and the work of rebuilding was now proceeding vigorously; it seemed a fit opportunity for inquiring whether, in this period of comparative prosperity and success, it behoved the people to continue the fast appointed in sadder times. The word of the Lord came. This is the usual formula for introducing a revelation (Zechariah 1:1), but it is here placed in a peculiar position, dividing the date into two parts. Keil connects the last clause, which gives the day of the month, with the next verse; but this is against the traditional accentuation, and is not required by the wording of ver. 2. The prophet first gives the date generally when the word came to him, and then defines it more accurately. Chisleu; Chislev (Nehemiah 1:1). This month corresponded to parts of November and December.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the fourth
אַרְבַּ֔ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

year
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת (biš·naṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year

of King
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Darius,
לְדָרְיָ֖וֶשׁ (lə·ḏā·rə·yā·weš)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1867: Darius -- the name of several person kings

the word
דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

came
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Zechariah
זְכַרְיָ֗ה (zə·ḵar·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2148: Zachariah -- the name of a number of Israelites

on the fourth
בְּאַרְבָּעָ֛ה (bə·’ar·bā·‘āh)
Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702: Four

day of the ninth
הַתְּשִׁעִ֖י (hat·tə·ši·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8671: Ninth (an ordinal number)

month,
לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ (la·ḥō·ḏeš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

the month of Chislev.
בְּכִסְלֵֽו׃ (bə·ḵis·lêw)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3691: The ninth month of the Jewish calendar


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 7:1 It happened in the fourth year (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 6:15
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