Definition: Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 1:12. It's a really important passage about God’s judgment and a call to repentance. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is deeply concerned about two places – Jerusalem (the capital of Israel) and Judah (a region near Jerusalem). He’s been angry with them for a long time, and he's demanding that they stop their actions and show mercy. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The angel of the LORD” : This is referring to God himself, specifically the divine messenger or leader of the Israelites. “answered” : God is directly responding to his concern. “O LORD of hosts” : This shows how serious and important this situation is – it’s not a casual conversation; it's a powerful declaration of God’s displeasure. “how long wilt thou not have mercy on…” : This is the core of the verse. "Mercy" means forgiveness, compassion, and kindness. God is asking for unconditional mercy – no conditions attached. He wants to show his loving concern for these people. “…Jerusalem and the cities of Judah” : These are specific places that God considers to be in trouble. “Judah” specifically refers to the Kingdom of Israel, which was under rule from Assyria (a powerful empire at the time). "Jerusalem" is their capital city. “against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?” : This is the cause of God’s anger. He has been angry for a long period – 30 and 10 years – because of certain actions and behaviors by them (primarily the Assyrian Empire). It's a significant amount of time, showing that this isn’t a recent issue. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse is essentially a warning. God is saying, “I am deeply disappointed with you. You have been causing me pain for a long time, and I expect a change.” It’s a call to repentance – to stop the things that are causing him distress and to show compassion to those he's angered. It sets the stage for a period of judgment and potential consequences if they don’t turn back. In short, it’s a plea for forgiveness and a reminder that God is watching and concerned. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Provide context about the history of this passage? Talk about how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?