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Zechariah 3

BSB·10 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then the angel showed me Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → the highהַגָּד֔וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → priestהַכֹּהֵ֣ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → standingעֹמֵ֕ד‘ō·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֖יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal·’aḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, with Satanוְהַשָּׂטָ֛ןwə·haś·śā·ṭān — Adversary, SatanH7854 — Full Word Study → standingעֹמֵ֥ד‘ō·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → atעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his right handיְמִינ֖וֹyə·mî·nōw — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → to accuse himלְשִׂטְנֽוֹ׃lə·śiṭ·nōw — to oppose, resist, or act as an adversaryH7853 — Full Word Study →. 2And the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Satanהַשָּׂטָ֗ןhaś·śā·ṭān — Adversary, SatanH7854 — Full Word Study →: “The LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → rebukesיִגְעַ֨רyiḡ·‘ar — To rebuke, reprove, or speak against sternlyH1605 — Full Word Study → you, Satanהַשָּׂטָ֔ןhaś·śā·ṭān — Adversary, SatanH7854 — Full Word Study →! Indeed, the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, who has chosenהַבֹּחֵ֖רhab·bō·ḥêr — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemבִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑םbî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, rebukesוְיִגְעַ֤רwə·yiḡ·‘ar — To rebuke, reprove, or speak against sternlyH1605 — Full Word Study → you! Is notהֲל֧וֹאhă·lō·w — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → this manזֶ֦הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → a firebrandא֖וּד’ūḏ — A burning stick or firebrandH181 — Full Word Study → snatchedמֻצָּ֥לmuṣ·ṣāl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → from the fireמֵאֵֽשׁ׃mê·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →?” 3Now Joshuaוִיהוֹשֻׁ֕עַwî·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → wasהָיָ֥הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → dressedלָבֻ֖שׁlā·ḇuš — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → in filthyצוֹאִ֑יםṣō·w·’îm — filthy, foul, morally uncleanH6674 — Full Word Study → garmentsבְּגָדִ֣יםbə·ḡā·ḏîm — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study → as he stoodוְעֹמֵ֖דwə·‘ō·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the angelהַמַּלְאָֽךְ׃ham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study →. 4So the angel saidוַיֹּ֗אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → those standingהָעֹמְדִ֤יםhā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → before himלְפָנָיו֙lə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, “Take offהָסִ֛ירוּhā·sî·rū — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → his filthyהַצֹּאִ֖יםhaṣ·ṣō·’îm — filthy, foul, morally uncleanH6674 — Full Word Study → clothesהַבְּגָדִ֥יםhab·bə·ḡā·ḏîm — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study →!” Then he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to Joshua, “Seeרְאֵ֨הrə·’êh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →, I have removedהֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּיhe·‘ĕ·ḇar·tî — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → your iniquityעֲוֺנֶ֔ךָ‘ă·wō·ne·ḵā — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →, and I will clotheוְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁwə·hal·bêš — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → youאֹתְךָ֖’ō·ṯə·ḵā — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → with splendid robesמַחֲלָצֽוֹת׃ma·ḥă·lā·ṣō·wṯ — Fine garment or robe of distinctionH4254 — Full Word Study →.” 5Then I saidוָאֹמַ֕רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Let them putיָשִׂ֛ימוּyā·śî·mū — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → a cleanטָה֖וֹרṭā·hō·wr — Ritually or morally pure; cleanH2889 — Full Word Study → turbanצָנִ֥יףṣā·nîp̄ — Turban or headwrap, a head coveringH6797 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his headרֹאשׁ֑וֹrō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →.” So a cleanהַטָּה֜וֹרhaṭ·ṭā·hō·wr — Ritually or morally pure; cleanH2889 — Full Word Study → turbanהַצָּנִ֨יףhaṣ·ṣā·nîp̄ — Turban or headwrap, a head coveringH6797 — Full Word Study → was placedוַיָּשִׂימוּ֩way·yā·śî·mū — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → his headרֹאשׁ֗וֹrō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →, and they clothed himוַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֙הוּ֙way·yal·bi·šu·hū — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study →, as the angelוּמַלְאַ֥ךְū·mal·’aḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → stood byעֹמֵֽד׃‘ō·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →. 6Then the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal·’aḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → gave this chargeוַיָּ֙עַד֙way·yā·‘aḏ — to testify, witness, or solemnly affirmH5749 — Full Word Study → to Joshuaבִּיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַbî·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →: 7This is whatכֹּה־kōh- — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֗וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֞ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: ‘Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you walkתֵּלֵךְ֙tê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in My waysבִּדְרָכַ֤יbiḏ·rā·ḵay — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → and keepתִשְׁמֹ֔רṯiš·mōr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → My instructionsמִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣יmiš·mar·tî — A charge, duty, or trust to be guarded and keptH4931 — Full Word Study →, then youאַתָּה֙’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → will governתָּדִ֣יןtā·ḏîn — to judge, govern, or execute judgmentH1777 — Full Word Study → My houseבֵּיתִ֔יbê·ṯî — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → and will alsoוְגַ֖םwə·ḡam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → have chargeתִּשְׁמֹ֣רtiš·mōr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → ofאֶת־’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → My courtsחֲצֵרָ֑יḥă·ṣê·rāy — Enclosed courtyard or village settlementH2691 — Full Word Study →; and I will giveוְנָתַתִּ֤יwə·nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you a placeמַהְלְכִ֔יםmah·lə·ḵîm — journey; a way or path traveledH4109 — Full Word Study → amongבֵּ֥יןbên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → theseהָאֵֽלֶּה׃hā·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → who are standing hereהָעֹמְדִ֖יםhā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →. 8Hearשְֽׁמַֽע־šə·ma‘- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → nowנָ֞אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study →, O highהַגָּד֗וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → priestהַכֹּהֵ֣ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ׀yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →, youאַתָּה֙’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → and your companionsוְרֵעֶ֙יךָ֙wə·rê·‘e·ḵā — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → seatedהַיֹּשְׁבִ֣יםhay·yō·šə·ḇîm — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → before youלְפָנֶ֔יךָlə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, who are indeedכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a signמוֹפֵ֖תmō·w·p̄êṯ — A miraculous sign or wonder performed by GodH4159 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → beholdהִנְנִ֥יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I am going to bringמֵבִ֛יאmê·ḇî — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → My servantעַבְדִּ֖י‘aḇ·dî — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →, the Branchצֶֽמַח׃ṣe·maḥ — A branch or shoot that grows from a tree or plantH6780 — Full Word Study →. 9Seeהִנֵּ֣הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → the stoneהָאֶ֗בֶןhā·’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → I have setנָתַ֙תִּי֙nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →; onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → that oneאַחַ֖ת’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → stoneאֶ֥בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → are sevenשִׁבְעָ֣הšiḇ·‘āh — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → eyesעֵינָ֑יִם‘ê·nā·yim — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. Beholdהִנְנִ֧יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I will engrave on itמְפַתֵּ֣חַmə·p̄at·tê·aḥ — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → an inscriptionפִּתֻּחָ֗הּpit·tu·ḥāh — carved engraving or sculptured workH6603 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻם֙nə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, and I will removeוּמַשְׁתִּ֛יū·maš·tî — to depart, remove, or ceaseH4185 — Full Word Study → the iniquityעֲוֺ֥ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of thisהַהִ֖יאha·hî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → landהָאָֽרֶץ־hā·’ā·reṣ- — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → in a singleאֶחָֽד׃’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → dayבְּי֥וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 10On thatהַה֗וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻם֙nə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, you will each inviteתִּקְרְא֖וּtiq·rə·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → your neighbor toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → sit underתַּ֥חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → your own vine andוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → fig treeתְּאֵנָֽה׃tə·’ê·nāh — Fig tree; fig fruitH8384 — Full Word Study →.’”
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Chapter Commentary — Zechariah 3
Chapter Overview

Overview

Zechariah chapter 3 presents one of Scripture's most powerful visions of spiritual cleansing and restoration. The prophet witnesses Joshua the high priest standing accused before God's angel, with Satan himself positioned as his accuser. Yet rather than condemning Joshua, the Lord decisively rebukes Satan and removes Joshua's filthy garments—symbols of sin and unworthiness—replacing them with clean robes. This vision reassures post-exile Israel that despite their corporate guilt and weakness, God has chosen them, forgiven them, and will restore them to priestly service. The chapter culminates with a promise of the coming Messiah (the Branch) who will accomplish ultimate redemption through a single, sufficient work.

Verses 1–5: Satan's Accusation and God's Vindication

The vision opens with Joshua, the high priest of the restored Jewish community, standing before God's angel. Satan appears at his right hand "to resist him"—the word suggests prosecution or accusation. This is no mere conflict between equals; it reflects the heavenly courtroom scene familiar from Job 1. Joshua represents the post-exile community, and his filthy garments (verse 3) symbolize the spiritual defilement and guilt that cling to Israel despite their physical return from Babylon.

But the Lord does not accept Satan's accusation. In verse 2, God issues a sovereign rebuke: "The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan." The repetition emphasizes divine authority and finality. God's choice of Jerusalem is irrevocable; Israel is "a brand plucked out of the fire"—rescued from destruction, precious and preserved for a purpose. Then, in a beautiful act of grace, the angel commands that Joshua's filthy garments be removed and replaced with clean robes, while declaring, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee" (verse 4). Complete forgiveness precedes any condition; it is God's gift, not Joshua's achievement. The fair mitre (priestly turban) placed upon his head in verse 5 signals full restoration to priestly office and dignity.

Application: Like Joshua, every believer faces accusation—from Satan, from our own conscience, from a condemning world. But Christ's blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel's accusation (Hebrews 12:24). Our old identity is stripped away, and we are clothed in His righteousness. The enemy's case against us is overruled by the Judge of all the earth.

Verses 6–10: The Condition and the Promise

The angel now addresses Joshua directly with a solemn charge. Verses 6–7 lay out a conditional promise: "If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house." This is not legalism but covenant faithfulness. Joshua and his fellows (verse 8) are called "men wondered at"—marvels of God's mercy—and they are summoned to live worthy of their restoration.

But the true climax comes in verses 8–9: a promise of the coming Branch (Messiah, Jesus Christ). The mysterious stone before Joshua, engraved with "seven eyes" (symbolizing complete divine knowledge and omniscience), points to Christ as the foundation and cornerstone of redemption. Most remarkably, verse 9 declares that the Messiah will "remove the iniquity of that land in one day"—an allusion to His singular, eternal sacrifice on Calvary. No repetition, no shadow, but final atonement.

Verse 10 paints the fruit of this redemption: peace, security, and neighborly fellowship under vine and fig tree—the language of Messianic shalom. Satan's accusations will have no voice in that kingdom.

Application: God's grace to us in Christ is unconditional, but it calls us to responsive obedience. We are not saved by works, but unto good works. And all our redemption—past, present, and future—rests on Jesus' one perfect, eternal work on the cross.

Application for Today

Do you feel accused, ashamed, or spiritually filthy today? Zechariah 3 invites you to bring those feelings to Jesus. Like Joshua, you have been chosen, redeemed by blood, and clothed in Christ's righteousness. Satan's accusations cannot stand before the throne of God. Walk in the freedom of that forgiveness, and let gratitude—not fear—motivate your obedience.

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