Zechariah 3
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · 519 BC · Return & rebuilding · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
10 verses · 284 words · ~1 min read · ~2 min listen
The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2And the Lord said to Satan: “The Lord rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”
3Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. 4So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”
5Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the Lord stood by.
6Then the angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7“This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here.
8Hear now, O high priest Joshua, you and your companions seated before you, who are indeed a sign. For behold, I am going to bring My servant, the Branch. 9See the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave on it an inscription, declares the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. 10On that day, declares the Lord of Hosts, you will each invite your neighbor to sit under your own vine and fig tree.’”
Footnotes (4)
- a v1 Or Angel; also in verses 3, 4, 5, and 6; corresponding pronouns may also be capitalized.
- b v1 That is, the Accuser or the Adversary; also in verse 2
- c v2 That is, a burning stick
- d v9 Or facets
Study notes on this chapter · 1
A righteous Branch for David
Jeremiah promises that God will raise up for David a righteous Branch who will reign wisely and do justice in the land, and Zechariah speaks of a Branch who will build the temple. The New Testament does not quote these verses, but Paul says Jesus was descended from David, and Revelation calls him the root and descendant of David.
When: Jeremiah, c. 600–586 BC; Zechariah, c. 520 BC.
Ways people read this (3)
- Christian reading: a title for the Messiah, the ideal king from David's line.
- Some see a first reference to Zerubbabel (Zechariah 3–4, 6), a descendant of David who rebuilt the temple.
- Jewish tradition has read these passages as promising a human Davidic king in the future.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.