Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
Here's what God says: Keep your hands strong and don't give up, all of you who are hearing these messages from the prophets right now. This is the same encouragement that was given back when they first laid the foundation for God's temple — when they were just starting the rebuild.
God's telling you the same thing he told the temple builders: keep your hands strong and don't quit now.
📜 Historical Context — Why was this verse written?
The prophet Zechariah addressed the Jewish community in Jerusalem who had returned from Babylonian exile around 520-518 BCE. It was written to encourage the returned exiles to resume and complete the stalled rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple despite their discouragement and challenges.
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