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Zechariah, 3

1. He then showed me the high priest Joshua, standing before the angel of Yahweh, with Satan standing on his right to accuse him.

1. And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

2. The angel of Yahweh said to Satan, 'May Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! May Yahweh rebuke you, since he has made Jerusalem his choice. Is not this man a brand snatched from the fire?'

2. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

3. Now Joshua was dressed in dirty clothes as he stood before the angel.

3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

4. The latter then spoke as follows to those who were standing before him, 'Take off his dirty clothesand dress him in splendid robes

4. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

5. and put a clean turban on his head.' So they put a clean turban on his head and dressed him in clean clothes, while the angel of Yahweh stood byand said, 'You see, I have taken your guilt away.'

5. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

6. The angel of Yahweh then made this declaration to Joshua,

6. And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

7. 'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "If you walk in my ways and keep my ordinances, you shall govern my house, you shall watch over my courts, and I will give you free access among those in attendance here.

7. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

8. 'So listen, High Priest Joshua, you and the colleagues over whom you preside -- for they are an omen of things to come -- for now I shall bring in my servant the Branch, and I shall remove this country's guilt in a single day.

8. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

9. For this is the stone which I have put before Joshua, a stone on which are seven eyes; and I myself shall cut the inscription on it -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares."

9. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10. On that day -- Yahweh Sabaoth declares -- invite each other to come under your vine and your fig tree." '

10. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.



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Footnotes:

3:1-2 - The vision of Joshua the high priest before the angel of the Lord reveals divine forgiveness and cleansing. Joshua, as the representative of the people, symbolically stands before God, his garments soiled, but he is cleansed and restored by God, indicating divine grace that purifies the sinner (see also Isaiah 1:18 and Revelation 7:14).

3:3-4 - Joshua's purification through the exchange of his filthy garments for clean ones is a symbol of the justification and renewal of God's people. This vision anticipates the redemptive work of Christ, who, through His death, offers purification for all (see also 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Revelation 19:8).

3:5-7 - The angel of the Lord promises Joshua and his fellow priests a complete restoration with a glorious future. This promise points to the Messiah, who would come to fully restore the priesthood and their relationship with God (see also 1 Peter 2:9 and Hebrews 7:24-25).

3:8-10 - The promise that the "Branch" would come to remove the iniquity of the people is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The "Branch" is a messianic reference, pointing to the Savior who would bring salvation and complete cleansing (see also Jeremiah 23:5-6 and Acts 13:23).

Verses related to Zechariah, 3:

Zechariah chapter 3 depicts the purification of the high priest Joshua. How does God restore the priesthood? This symbolic text presents a heavenly scene where Satan accuses Joshua, but God defends and purifies him. The chapter introduces the “Branch,” a messianic figure, and promises the removal of iniquity. Zechariah 3 explores themes such as forgiveness, sanctification, and the coming of the Messiah. Analyze with us five biblical passages that deepen the understanding of this transformative chapter.

Revelation 12:10: "Then I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Now the salvation and power and kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God, has been cast out. day and night.'" - The accuser's defeat in Revelation echoes Satan's rebuke in Zechariah 3:2.

Isaiah 61:10: "I greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul exults in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and placed upon me the robe of righteousness, like a bridegroom putting on a diadem, like a bride adorning herself with jewels." - This image of garments of salvation in Isaiah mirrors the exchange of dirty clothes for festive clothes in Zechariah 3:4-5.

Ephesians 5:27: "And to present her to himself as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish." - The purification of the church described by Paul resembles the purification of Joshua, the high priest, in Zechariah 3.

Colossians 1:22: "But now he has reconciled them through the physical body of Christ, through death, to present them before him holy, blameless and free from any accusation." - The reconciliation and purification described by Paul echoes the purification scene in Zechariah 3.

Malachi 3:1: "Behold, I send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. And suddenly the Lord, whom you seek, the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come to your temple. He comes,' says the Lord of hosts." - This verse from Malachi relates to the promise of the "Branch Branch" in Zechariah 3:8, both pointing to the Messiah.

FAQ:

What does the vision of Joshua the high priest in Zechariah 3 mean?

Joshua's vision depicts the purification of Israel. Joshua, who was dressed in filthy clothes, is purified and given clean garments, symbolizing the forgiveness and spiritual restoration of the people. (Zechariah 3:1-5)

How does the vision of Zechariah 3 point to the Messiah?

The vision in Zechariah 3 points to the Messiah, who would be the Servant of the Lord, coming to purify the people and bring salvation. The "Branch" refers to Christ, who would come to establish righteousness. (Zechariah 3:8)

What does God's promise to remove Israel's iniquity in Zechariah 3 mean?

The promise is that God will purify His people, removing sin and restoring Israel. This act of purification is linked to the Messiah who would come to bring salvation. (Zechariah 3:9)

What does the seven-eyed stone represent in Zechariah 3?

The seven-eyed stone symbolizes God's perfect vision and His power to observe and act in every aspect of life. It is also associated with the coming of the Messiah. (Zechariah 3:9)

How does the vision of Zechariah 3 reflect Israel's hope?

The vision reflects the hope that, despite their past sins, Israel would be purified and restored, with God returning to dwell among them. (Zechariah 3:4-7)


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