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.

ZECHARIAH 8:17KJV
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Zechariah 8:17 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 8:17 mean?

Zechariah 8:17 tells the people not to plan or wish harm against their neighbors in their hearts and not to love making false promises or oaths, because God says He hates these things. The verse highlights that God cares deeply about honesty and the intentions people hold inside, not just their outward actions.

In this verse, the prophet Zechariah is relaying God’s message to the people of Jerusalem after their return from exile. God is calling them to live differently from the ways that led to their earlier troubles, focusing on truthfulness and goodwill toward others. The verse fits into a larger section where God promises to bless Jerusalem if the people commit to justice, truth, and peace in their community.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 8:17

  • "Imagine" (חָשַׁב, chashav) means to plan, devise, or think about. Here, it points to the idea that even private thoughts or intentions to do wrong are significant to God, not just outward actions.
  • "Evil" (רַע, ra‘) refers to harm, wrongdoing, or anything morally bad. The focus is on not even considering harm toward another person, showing God's concern for both justice and kindness.
  • "False" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer) means a lie or deception. When paired with "oath" (שְׁבוּעָה, shevu‘ah), it stresses that God hates not just lying in general, but especially the breaking of promises or swearing falsely, which damages trust in the community.
  • "Hate" (שָׂנֵא, sane) is a strong word for intense dislike or rejection. God is not indifferent to these behaviors—He actively rejects them.

Why Zechariah 8:17 matters

  • Zechariah 8:17 makes clear that God’s standards reach beyond public actions to private thoughts and intentions, correcting the idea that only outward behavior matters.
  • The verse connects to the broader message in Zechariah 8, where God is rebuilding the community and calling for a new way of living marked by truth and justice.
  • This verse helps explain why earlier generations faced judgment: it was not just for visible sins, but for the hidden attitudes and dishonest dealings that broke down trust among people.

Where else these words appear

“oath” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
  • Nehemiah 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

“false” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

“imagine” Hebrew H2803 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
  • Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

“hate” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?