And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
And to speak unto the priests ... and to the prophets - Haggai and Zechariah especially.
Should I weep in the fifth month - "I" represents here the people of God (cf. Zechariah 8:21). Their hypocrisy appeared, because they showed man concern about a ceremony of human institution (not improper in itself) than about moral obedience. If too, they had trusted God's promise as to the restoration of church and state, the fast would have now given place to joy, for which there was more cause than for grief (Pembellus). The 10th day of the 5th month was kept a fast, being the anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:12-14). They ask, Should the fast be continued, now that the temple and city are being restored?
Separating myself, х hinaazeer (H5144) Niphal conjugation, from gaazar (H5144), to separate one's self by a vow of consecration] - sanctifying myself by separation, not only from food, but from all defilements (cf. Joel 2:16), as was usual in a solemn fast.