Zechariah 8:19
New International Version
This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

New Living Translation
“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.

English Standard Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.

Berean Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’

New American Standard Bible
“The LORD of armies says this: ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, jubilation, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

NASB 1995
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

NASB 1977
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and merry appointed feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

Amplified Bible
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth [month to mourn the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls], the fast of the fifth [month to mourn the temple’s destruction], the fast of the seventh [month to mourn Gedaliah’s assassination], and the fast of the tenth [month to mourn the siege of Jerusalem] will become times of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so [to bring this about] love truth and peace.’

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD of Armies says this: “The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD of Hosts says this: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will become times of joy, gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.

Contemporary English Version
People of Judah, I, the LORD, demand that whenever you go without food as a way of worshiping me, it should become a time of celebration. No matter if it's the fourth month, the fifth month, the seventh month, or the tenth month, you should have a joyful festival. So love truth and live at peace.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD of Armies says: The fast in the fourth month, the fast in the fifth month, the fast in the seventh month, and the fast in the tenth month will become joyful and glad occasions as well as happy festivals for the nation of Judah. So love truth and peace.

Good News Translation
"The fasts held in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become festivals of joy and gladness for the people of Judah. You must love truth and peace."

International Standard Version
"This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'The fasts that occur in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will be joyful and glad times for the house of Judah, replete with cheerful festivals. Therefore, love truth and peace.'"

Majority Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”

NET Bible
"The LORD who rules over all says, 'The fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become joyful and happy, pleasant feasts for the house of Judah, so love truth and peace.'

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: "The fasts of the fourth fifth, seventh, and tenth months shall be for the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace."

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

World English Bible
Yahweh of Armies says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months shall be for the house of Judah joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Thus said YHWH of Hosts: The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth [months], are to the house of Judah for joy and for rejoicing, and for pleasant appointed times, and the truth and the peace they have loved.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months, are to the house of Judah for joy and for rejoicing, and for pleasant appointed seasons, and the truth and the peace they have loved.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of armies: The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah for joy and for gladness, and for good appointments; and love ye truth and peace.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth will be for the house of Judah in joy and gladness and with bright solemnities. So then, love truth and peace.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast days of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become occasions of joy and gladness, and happy festivals for the house of Judah. So love faithfulness and peace!

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah: therefore love truth and peace.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: the fourth fast and the fifth fast and the seventh fast and the tenth fast shall be for those of the house of Yehuda, for dancing and for joy and for fine feasting, and love truth and peace
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons; therefore love ye truth and peace.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord Almighty, The fourth fast, and the fifth fast, and the seventh fast, and the tenth fast, shall be to the house of Juda for joy and gladness, and for good feasts; and ye shall rejoice; and love ye the truth and peace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Jerusalem
18Then the word of the LORD of Hosts came to me, saying, 19“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.” 20This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities—…

Cross References
Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Jeremiah 31:12-14
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. / Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. / I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Jeremiah 33:10-11
This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again / the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Isaiah 65:18-19
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. / I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Psalm 30:11
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Matthew 9:14-15
Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Mark 2:18-20
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Luke 5:33-35
Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

the fourth.

2 Kings 25:3,4
And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land…

Jeremiah 39:2
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

Jeremiah 52:6,7
And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land…

the fifth.

Zechariah 7:3
And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

Jeremiah 52:12-15
Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, …

the seventh.

Zechariah 7:5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

2 Kings 25:25
But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.

Jeremiah 41:1-3
Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah…

the tenth.

Jeremiah 52:4
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

joy.

Esther 8:17
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Esther 9:22
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

Psalm 30:11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

feasts.

Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Luke 1:74,75
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, …

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Armies Cheerful Fast Fasts Feasts Fifth Fourth Gladness Hosts House Joy Judah Love Month Months Peace Seasons Seventh Tenth Truth
Zechariah 8
1. The restoration of Jerusalem.
9. They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them.
16. Good works are required of them.
18. Joy and blessing are promised.














This is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth," which emphasizes God's supreme command over the heavenly armies and His sovereign power over all creation. This title reassures the people of Judah of God's omnipotence and His ability to fulfill His promises. Historically, this title is used to remind the Israelites of God's protection and His role as a divine warrior who fights on behalf of His people.

The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months
These fasts were instituted to commemorate various calamities that befell the Jewish people, particularly related to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The fourth month fast commemorates the breaching of Jerusalem's walls, the fifth month marks the destruction of the Temple, the seventh month remembers the assassination of Gedaliah, and the tenth month recalls the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's siege. These fasts were times of mourning and reflection on the consequences of sin and disobedience.

will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals
The transformation of these fasts into "joyful and glad occasions" signifies a profound shift from mourning to celebration. This change reflects God's promise of restoration and redemption for His people. The Hebrew words for "joyful" and "glad" convey a sense of exuberant happiness and delight, indicating a future where sorrow is replaced by divine blessing and favor. This promise is a foretaste of the Messianic age, where God's kingdom will be fully realized, and His people will experience everlasting joy.

for the house of Judah
The "house of Judah" refers to the southern kingdom of Israel, which remained after the northern kingdom was exiled. This promise is specifically directed to them, highlighting God's continued covenantal relationship with Judah despite their past unfaithfulness. Historically, Judah was the tribe from which King David came, and it holds a special place in God's redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Therefore love truth and peace
The call to "love truth and peace" is a moral and spiritual exhortation. "Truth" in Hebrew is "emet," which implies faithfulness, reliability, and integrity. "Peace," or "shalom," encompasses not just the absence of conflict but a holistic sense of well-being and harmony. This command underscores the ethical response expected from God's people in light of His promises. It is a call to live in a way that reflects God's character and His kingdom values, fostering a community marked by honesty, justice, and reconciliation. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith through righteous actions and relationships.

Verse 19. - The fast of the fourth month, etc. (For the occasions of these fasts, see note on Zechariah 7:3.) Jerome gives the later Jewish traditions concerning them. The fast of the seventh day of the fourth month commemorated the breaking of the two tables of the commandments by Moses, as well as the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem; that of the fifth month was observed in memory of the return of the spies sent to explore Canaan, and the consequent punishment of forty years' wandering in the wilderness, as well as of the burning of the temple by the Chaldeans; that in the tenth month was appointed because it was then that Ezekiel and the captive Jews received intelligence of the complete destruction of the temple. Joy and gladness. The observance of these fasts seems, by the Lord's answer, to have been neither enjoined nor forbidden; but as for their sins their festivals had been turned into mourning (Amos 8:10), so now their fasts should be turned into joyful feasts, and former miseries should be forgotten in the presence of the blessings now showered upon them. Therefore love the truth and peace. This is the condition of the fulfilment of the promise (ver. 16; Zechariah 7:9), here again forcibly impressed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

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

of Hosts
צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַ֞ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

The fasts
צ֣וֹם (ṣō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6685: Fasting, a fast

of the fourth,
הָרְבִיעִ֡י (hā·rə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

the fifth,
הַחֲמִישִׁי֩ (ha·ḥă·mî·šî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 2549: Fifth, a fifth

the seventh,
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

and
וְצ֣וֹם (wə·ṣō·wm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6685: Fasting, a fast

the tenth [months]
הָעֲשִׂירִ֗י (hā·‘ă·śî·rî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 6224: Tenth, tenth month, part

will become
יִהְיֶ֤ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

times of joy
לְשָׂשׂ֣וֹן (lə·śā·śō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8342: Cheerfulness, welcome

and gladness,
וּלְשִׂמְחָ֔ה (ū·lə·śim·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

cheerful
טוֹבִ֑ים (ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

feasts
וּֽלְמֹעֲדִ֖ים (ū·lə·mō·‘ă·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

for the house
לְבֵית־ (lə·ḇêṯ-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Judah.
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

Therefore love
אֱהָֽבוּ׃ (’ĕ·hā·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 157: To have affection f

truth
וְהָאֱמֶ֥ת (wə·hā·’ĕ·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

and peace.”
וְהַשָּׁל֖וֹם (wə·haš·šā·lō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 8:19 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: The fasts (Zech. Zec Zc)
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