Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? New Living Translation “Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. English Standard Version Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Berean Standard Bible Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? King James Bible Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? New King James Version “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? New American Standard Bible “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? NASB 1995 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? NASB 1977 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Legacy Standard Bible “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Amplified Bible “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Christian Standard Bible Where are your ancestors now? And do the prophets live forever? Holman Christian Standard Bible Where are your ancestors now? And do the prophets live forever? American Standard Version Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Contemporary English Version Where are your ancestors now? Not even prophets live forever. English Revised Version Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? GOD'S WORD® Translation Your ancestors-where are they now? And the prophets-are they still alive? Good News Translation Your ancestors and those prophets are no longer alive. International Standard Version "Your ancestors—where are they? And the prophets—do they live forever? Majority Standard Bible Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? NET Bible "As for your ancestors, where are they? And did the prophets live forever? New Heart English Bible Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Webster's Bible Translation Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? World English Bible Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYour fathers—where [are] they? And the prophets—do they live for all time? Young's Literal Translation Your fathers -- where are they? And the prophets -- to the age do they live? Smith's Literal Translation Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, shall they live forever? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYour fathers, where are they? and the prophets, shall they live always? Catholic Public Domain Version Your fathers, where are they? And will the prophets live unceasingly? New American Bible Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, can they live forever? New Revised Standard Version Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYour fathers, where are they? And my prophets, do they live for ever? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Where are your fathers and my Prophets? Do they live forever? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Brenton Septuagint Translation Where are your fathers, and the prophets? Will they live for ever? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Call to Repentance…4Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD. 5Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’ ”… Cross References Psalm 90:10 The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, Job 14:1-2 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Isaiah 40:6-8 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Ecclesiastes 1:4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Psalm 39:4-5 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. 1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more. 2 Peter 3:8-9 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. / The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass? Treasury of Scripture Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? Job 14:10-12 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? … Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. Jump to Previous Age Fathers Forefathers Forever Live ProphetsJump to Next Age Fathers Forefathers Forever Live ProphetsZechariah 1 1. Zechariah exhorts to repentance.7. The vision of the horses. 12. At the prayer of the angel comfortable promises are made to Jerusalem. 18. The vision of the four horns and the four carpenters. Where are your fathers now? This phrase serves as a rhetorical question, prompting reflection on the mortality and transience of human life. Historically, the "fathers" refers to the ancestors of the Israelites, many of whom had experienced God's judgment due to their disobedience. This question reminds the audience of the consequences faced by previous generations who did not heed God's warnings. It emphasizes the importance of learning from the past and recognizing the impermanence of human existence. The question also serves as a call to repentance, urging the current generation to turn back to God. This theme is consistent with the messages found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, where the consequences of ignoring God's commands are highlighted. And the prophets, do they live forever? Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahA prophet in the post-exilic period, Zechariah was called by God to encourage the Israelites to return to Him and rebuild the temple. His prophecies often contain visions and messages of hope and restoration. 2. The Fathers Referring to the ancestors of the Israelites, these are the previous generations who had experienced God's judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry. 3. The Prophets These are the messengers sent by God to warn the Israelites and call them to repentance. They played a crucial role in communicating God's will and intentions to His people. 4. The Israelites The chosen people of God, who were returning from Babylonian exile and were in the process of rebuilding their lives and their relationship with God. 5. Jerusalem The central place of worship and the heart of the Jewish nation, which was in ruins and needed to be restored both physically and spiritually. Teaching Points The Transience of Human LifeZechariah 1:5 reminds us of the fleeting nature of human existence. Our lives are temporary, but God's word endures forever. This should encourage us to focus on eternal truths rather than temporary concerns. The Importance of Heeding God's Word The verse underscores the necessity of listening to God's prophets and messengers. Ignoring God's word leads to consequences, as seen in the history of Israel. Generational Accountability While each generation is responsible for its own actions, there is a call to learn from the past. The failures and successes of previous generations should guide us in our spiritual journey. Repentance and Renewal The call to return to God is timeless. Just as the Israelites were called to rebuild their relationship with God, we too are invited to examine our lives and seek spiritual renewal. Legacy of Faith Consider what kind of spiritual legacy we are leaving for future generations. Are we setting an example of faithfulness and obedience to God's word?Verse 5. - To compel them to listen to the warning, he asks them, Your fathers, where are they! What became of those who paid no heed to the admonitions of the prophets? Have they not suffered dire calamities and perished miserably? And the prophets, do they live forever? They can teach and threaten no longer. It is true that the seers who warned your fathers are no more, but did not their words come true (see ver. 6)? Jerome referred these words to the false prophets, resting, doubtless, on Jeremiah 37:19. But it is more natural to refer them to the "former prophets" mentioned above and in the following verse. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whereאַיֵּה־ (’ay·yêh-) Interrogative Strong's 346: Where? are your forefathers now? אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father And the prophets, וְהַ֨נְּבִאִ֔ים (wə·han·nə·ḇi·’îm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet do they live יִֽחְיֽוּ׃ (yiḥ·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2421: To live, to revive forever? הַלְעוֹלָ֖ם (hal·‘ō·w·lām) Article, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always Links Zechariah 1:5 NIVZechariah 1:5 NLT Zechariah 1:5 ESV Zechariah 1:5 NASB Zechariah 1:5 KJV Zechariah 1:5 BibleApps.com Zechariah 1:5 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 1:5 Chinese Bible Zechariah 1:5 French Bible Zechariah 1:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zechariah 1:5 Your fathers where are they? And (Zech. Zec Zc) |
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