John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the Lord of hosts , etc.] That ministered in the sanctuary, as the Targum explains it, who offered sacrifices, etc. and who were to be consulted in matters of religion, ( Malachi 2:7): and to the prophets ; who were then in being, as Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: saying, Should I weep in the fifth month ; which is the month Ab, and answers to July: now on the seventh day of this month, according to ( Kings 25:8,9), the temple was burnt by the Chaldeans; and, according to ( Jeremiah 3:12,13), it was on the tenth of this month, which day was kept by the Jews as a day of fasting and humiliation, in commemoration of it; and by the Misnic doctors afterwards was removed, and kept on the ninth day of the said month; but, seeing the temple was in great forwardness of being rebuilt, the question with those Jews was, whether they should continue any longer mourning and fasting on that account: separating myself : that is, from eating and drinking, and not taking the lawful pleasures and recreations of life: as I have done these so many years ? for the space of seventy years, as in ( Zechariah 7:5).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - If we truly desire to know the will of God in doubtful matters, we mus not only consult his word and ministers, but seek his direction by fervent prayer. Those who would know God's mind should consult God' ministers; and, in doubtful cases, ask advice of those whose specia business it is to search the Scriptures. The Jews seemed to questio whether they ought to continue their fasts, seeing that the city an temple were likely to be finished. The first answer to their inquiry in a sharp reproof of hypocrisy. These fasts were not acceptable to God unless observed in a better manner, and to better purpose. There wa the form of duty, but no life, or soul, or power in it. Holy exercise are to be done to God, looking to his word as our rule, and his glor as our end, seeking to please him and obtain his favour; but self wa the centre of all their actions. And it was not enough to weep on fas days; they should have searched the Scriptures of the prophets, tha they might have seen what was the ground of God's controversy with their fathers. Whether people are in prosperity or adversity, they mus be called upon to leave their sins, and to do their duty.
Original Hebrew לאמר559 אל413 הכהנים3548 אשׁר834 לבית1004 יהוה3068 צבאות6635 ואל413 הנביאים5030 לאמר559 האבכה1058 בחדשׁ2320 החמשׁי2549 הנזר5144 כאשׁר834 עשׂיתי6213 זה2088 כמה4100 שׁנים׃8141
