Zechariah 8:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God forbids scheming against neighbors and false oaths, naming such things as what He hates.
What Does Zechariah 8:17 Mean?
Continuing the moral charge, God reaches past outward conduct to the heart. No one is to plot evil against a neighbor or to love a false oath. These sins, hidden in the heart and the tongue, are named plainly as things the Lord hates, set in sharp contrast to the truth and peace He desires.
God cares about the inner life, not merely visible behavior. Malice nursed in the heart and deceit dressed up as a vow are an affront to His nature. To know what God loves, we must also reckon with what He hates, for they are two sides of His holiness. A heart aligned with the Lord roots out hidden ill-will and clings to truthfulness, becoming over time a place where He is pleased to dwell.
Zechariah 8:17 in the Original Language
sane (שָׂנֵא), 'hate' -- to reject and oppose with deep moral aversion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 8:17
What does Zechariah 8:17 mean?
God forbids scheming against neighbors and false oaths, naming such things as what He hates.