Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 7:3

3 And to speak to 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 my self ; as I have done these so many years ?

To consult with.

They were to be the ordinary casuists, and ought to be able, and ready to answer all cases of Conscience, as Mal. 2.7.

Had their residence in, or about the Temple.

These were extraordinary casuists, who might be supposed able to satisfie the enquiry, if the Priests could not. These Prophets were Haggai and Zechariah.

i. e. Fast, of which weeping was a part, 1 Sam[illegible: 1 letter]el chapter 1. verse 7. and Matth. 9.15.

In sad remembrance of the burning of the Temple on the 10th. day of that month.

From worldly cares and designs, and afflicting my self.

This intimateth their former practice, and seems to include in it some little boasting of it.

It had been easie for them to have reckoned up the exact number of years, but they choose rather to express it thus, to greaten their performance.