The Meaning of Zechariah 8:16 Explained

Zechariah 8:16

KJV: These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

YLT: These are the things that ye do: Speak ye truth each with his neighbour, Truth and peaceful judgment judge in your gates,

Darby: These are the things that ye shall do: Speak truth every one with his neighbour; execute truth and the judgment of peace in your gates;

ASV: These are the things that ye shall do: speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

These [are] the things  that ye shall do;  Speak  ye every man  the truth  to his neighbour;  execute  the judgment  of truth  and peace  in your gates: 

What does Zechariah 8:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Zechariah 8:1-17 - Truth And Love Must Prevail
In his third answer Zechariah dilates on the prosperity awaiting the chosen city. The Lord had returned, to dwell there, and the old men and women who were at the end of life should join with the happy boys and girls who were at the beginning in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace. Exiles also would return to people the former desolations. But with these delightful forecasts ensue reiterated appeals. [source]

Chapter Summary: Zechariah 8

1  The restoration of Jerusalem
9  They are encouraged to build the temple by God's favor to them
16  Good works are required of them
18  Joy and blessing are promised

What do the individual words in Zechariah 8:16 mean?

These [are] the things that you shall do speak the truth each man to his neighbor for truth and justice and peace Give judgment in your gates
אֵ֥לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּֽעֲשׂ֑וּ דַּבְּר֤וּ אֱמֶת֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־ רֵעֵ֔הוּ אֱמֶת֙ וּמִשְׁפַּ֣ט שָׁל֔וֹם שִׁפְט֖וּ בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶֽם

אֵ֥לֶּה  These  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים  the  things 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
תַּֽעֲשׂ֑וּ  you  shall  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
דַּבְּר֤וּ  speak 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
אֱמֶת֙  the  truth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֱמֶת  
Sense: firmness, faithfulness, truth.
אִ֣ישׁ  each  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
רֵעֵ֔הוּ  his  neighbor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.
אֱמֶת֙  for  truth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֱמֶת  
Sense: firmness, faithfulness, truth.
וּמִשְׁפַּ֣ט  and  justice 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
שָׁל֔וֹם  and  peace 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁלֹום  
Sense: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.
שִׁפְט֖וּ  Give  judgment 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶֽם  in  your  gates 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: שַׁעַר  
Sense: gate.