Zechariah 3
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Zec 3:1-5 1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” 5Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.
Zec 3:1 “he showed me” This seems to be a vision in heaven before God similar to Job 1-2. In Zec 1:20 it is YHWH who reveals the vision, so too, here (cf. Septuagint and Vulgate). However, many scholars see this as a reference to the interpreting angel (cf. Zec 1:9 ; Zec 1:13-14 ; Zec 1:19 ; Zec 2:2 ).
▣ “Joshua” This Hebrew name (BDB 22:1 ) means “YHWH saves.” This is the same as the Aramaic name, Jesus (cf. Mat 1:21 ). This particular Joshua was the Zadokian (son of Jehozadak or Jozadak) High Priest who returned in a second wave of returnees with Zerubbabel, a prince of the line of Judah (cf. Hag 1:1 ; Hag 1:12 ; Hag 1:14 ; Hag 2:2 ; Hag 2:4 ; Ezr 2:2 ; Ezr 5:2 ; Neh 7:7 ; Neh 12:1 ; Neh 12:10 ; Neh 12:26 ).
▣ “the high priest” This is not the Mosaic title for the leadership of the priests, but a post-exilic title found so often in Haggai and Zechariah. See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, vol. 2, pp. 397-403.
▣ “standing before” This word (BDB 76:3 , KB 84:0 , Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) can be understood in this context in two distinct ways: (1) for priestly service (cf. Deu 10:8 ; 2Ch 29:11 ; Eze 44:11 ; Eze 44:15 , i.e., Joshua acting as High Priest on behalf of the nation) or (2) legal usage of someone brought before a judge (cf. Num 27:2 ; Deu 19:17 ; Jos 20:6 ; 1Ki 3:16 , i.e., Joshua as sinful representative of all Jews).
▣ “the angel of the LORD” In this context this is obviously a distinct person from YHWH (cf. Zec 3:4-7 ). He is functioning as a defense advocate, speaking for YHWH. See note at Zec 1:11 . It is hard to be certain if this is meant to be a Messianic reference! The Messiah is surely referred to in this chapter as “My Servant the Branch” (cf. Zec 6:12 ; Isa 4:2 ; Isa 11:1 ; Isa 53:2 ; Jer 23:5 ; Jer 33:15 ).
As an interpreter my problem in this text is not that “the angel of the Lord” is identified as divine in the OT (cf. Gen 16:7-13 ; Gen 22:11-15 ; Gen 31:11 ; Gen 31:13 ; Gen 48:15-16 ; Exo 3:2-4 ; Exo 13:21 ; Exo 14:19 ; Jdg 2:1 ; Jdg 6:22-24 ; Jdg 13:3-22 ), but that in Zechariah 1 the title is used of an angel who is patrolling the earth for YHWH (cf. Zec 1:11 ) and prays to YHWH (cf. Zec 1:13 , i.e. separate from deity, cf Gen 24:7 ; Gen 24:40 ; Exo 23:20-23 ; Exo 32:35 ; Num 22:22 ; Jdg 5:23 ; 2Sa 24:16 ; 1Ch 21:15-30 ). This does not fit the exalted place of the Messiah. Also in chapter 2 many try to make “me” of Zec 2:8-9 ; Zec 2:11 refer to the Messiah, when I think it refers to the prophet Zechariah. To put it bluntly interpreters are trying to find the Trinity too much in this ambiguous apocalyptic book (as some do in trying to identify Michael with the Messiah in Daniel). Specificity is not the hallmark of Zechariah's visions! Be careful of (1) dogmatism; (2) reading a tight systematic theological grid into these texts; or (3) allowing personal preference to dictate one and only one possibility.
SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/servant.html>
SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGEL OF THE LORD <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/angel_of_the_lord.html>
▣ “Satan” This is literally “the adversary” (BDB 96:6 , KB 131:6 , cf. Job 1:6-12 ; Job 2:1-7 ; 1Ch 21:1 ). In 1Ki 22:19 ff, Satan is also before YHWH in heaven as one of the angelic attendants. The Bible often uses a court metaphor to describe activity in heaven (cf. Hosea 2; Ezekiel 2:3 ; Revelation 4-5).
SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/satan.html>
▣ “standing at his right hand” This language speaks of a judicial setting. The idiom is used of God's presence with His people in Psa 16:8 ; Psa 109:31 ; Psa 110:5 , while in Job 30:12 ; Psa 109:6 , it is used of an accuser, as it is here. The advocate or accuser stood on the defendant's right side.
Zec 3:2 “the LORD. . .the LORD” The first seems to refer to the angel of the Lord mentioned in Zec 3:1 (NET, NJB, TEV, NAB, JPSOA).
▣ “The LORD rebuke you, Satan” The rebuke (BDB 17:2 , KB 19:9 , Qal IMPERFECT, an obvious JUSSIVE) is apparently directed at Satan's accusations (unrecorded) against Joshua, his priesthood, and his nation. Satan cannot attack what God wills and establishes (cf. Job 1-2; Jud 1:9 ).
▣ “who has chosen Jerusalem” YHWH has chosen (BDB 10:3 , KB 11:9 , Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) Jerusalem again as in the days of Moses. This statement relates to Zec 1:17 ; Zec 2:12 . God's renewed covenant is evidenced by:
1. YHWH's promise of restoration and prosperity for the cities of Judah (cf. Zec 1:17 )
2. YHWH's promise of restoration to Jerusalem (cf. Zec 2:12 )
3. YHWH's refusal to condemn Joshua, but to forgive and restore the cultus
▣ “a brand plucked from the fire” God's people had experienced God's judgment (cf. Amo 4:6-12 ), but now they were brought out from under God's wrath (cf. Amo 4:11 ).
The term “brand” (BDB 1:5 ) was possibly a curved stick used to stir the fire (cf. Isa 7:4 ).
The Hophal VERB (BDB 66:4-5 , KB 71:7 ) has the connotation (from Hiphil form) “to rescue,” “to recover,” “to deliver from enemies,” or “to deliver from sin and guilt” (cf. Psa 39:8 ; Psa 51:14 ; Psa 79:9 ; Psa 119:170 ).
Jacobus Nande, in his article in the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, vol. 1, p. 304, says, “the figure in Amo 4:11 and Zec 3:2 suggests that Israel as a nation had been rescued from the furnace of Babylon to become a torch to enlighten the nations.” This redemptive world-wide purpose for the Jews must be seen as the essence of God's having a chosen people (cf. Gen 12:3 ; Exo 19:5 ). See Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan.
Zec 3:3 “Joshua was clothed with filthy garments” This is a Hebrew metaphor for defilement. He was the sinful representative of the chosen people (cf. Isa 64:6 ). Even the priesthood and temple were corrupt (cf. Ezekiel 8; Jeremiah 7). “Filthy” (BDB 84:4 ) refers to ceremonial pollution by human excretion (cf. Deu 23:9-14 ), which separated the people from their holy God.
▣ “standing before the angel” This refers to Zec 3:1 . Notice “the angel of the LORD” from Zec 3:1 is now just “the angel.” However, this angel either speaks for YHWH (cf. Zec 3:4 ; Zec 3:6 ) or this is a way of referring to the Messiah. It seems because the Messiah is referred to in v. 8 that this angel speaks for YHWH. The “he” is ambiguous in Zec 3:4-5 and the PRONOUNS shift from third person to first person.
Zec 3:4 “to those who were standing before him” Who does the “him” refer to (1) the angel of the LORD or (2) the LORD? Notice there are more angelic beings present than just the angel of the Lord and Satan. This is the throne-room of heaven. There are many angelic attendants (cf. Zec 3:5 ).
▣ “Remove the filthy garments. . .I have taken your iniquity away” This is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 69:3-4 , KB 74:7 ). Joshua's reproach is symbolically removed.
▣ “See” This is a Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 90:6 , KB 115:7 ). This is a form of the same term used in Zec 1:8 ; Zec 1:18 ; Zec 2:1 ; Zec 2:9 to denote a new vision, but here the IMPERATIVE is used for emphasis. Joshua has been forgiven, recommissioned, and fully restored as priest and cultic supervisor! This new temple will be staffed!
▣ “I have taken your iniquity away from you” This is a Hiphil form of a word (BDB 71:6 , KB 77:8 ) which meant “to pass over” (i.e., a river) or “pass through” (i.e., a land), but it came to have the connotation of forgiveness, deliverance (cf. Zec 3:9 ; Zec 13:2 ; Mic 7:18-19 ).
▣ “will clothe you with festival robes” This is a Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE. Not only is sin removed, but blessing and status are restored (cf. Luk 15:11-32 ). Often in the Bible clothing is used as a symbol of our spiritual life (e.g., Job 19:9 ; Job 29:4 ; Psa 132:9 ; Psa 132:16 ; Psa 132:18 ; Isa 3:18-24 ; Isa 52:1 ; Isa 59:17 ; Isa 61:10 ). This is especially true of Paul's writing in 1Co 15:53-54 ; Gal 3:27 ; Eph 4:24 ; Eph 6:11 ; Col 3:10 ; Col 3:12 ; and 1Th 5:8 .
Zec 3:5 “Then I said” This refers to the speaker of Zec 3:4 , but who is it? The last phrase of Zec 3:5 implies it was not the angel of the LORD, but the LORD. J. Baldwin (Tyndale OT commentaries, p. 114) thinks it is Zechariah (“and I said”) who blurts out the need for the complete high priestly outfit.
▣ “clean turban” This term (BDB 85:7 ) is a cognate of the Hebrew term used in Exodus. It refers to the miter of the High Priest (cf. Exo 28:36-39 ; Exo 39:28 ; Exo 39:31 ).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Zec 3:6-10 6And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7”Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. 8Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you— indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. 9For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,' declares the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10In that day,' declares the LORD of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree.'“
Zec 3:6 Notice the angel of the LORD either speaks on YHWH's behalf as the prophet does (cf. Zec 2:9 ; Zec 2:11 ; Zec 4:9 ; Zec 6:15 ) or this is a Messianic reference. It is hard to decide, but I think it is YHWH Himself speaking through the angel. see Special Topic: The Angel of the Lord.
▣ “admonished” This is a Hiphil form of the Hebrew word (BDB 72:9 , KB 79:5 ) for “witness.” In this form BDB says it means “exhort solemnly,” “admonish,” or “charge” (cf. Exo 19:23 ; 2Ki 17:13 ; Neh 9:29-30 ; Jer 11:7 ).
This message is very important. YHWH has fully and freely forgiven Joshua and, by implication, His covenant people, but the covenant is still conditional. Forgiveness of past acts does not remove the responsibility of future obedience!
Zec 3:7 “If you will walk in My ways” Notice the conditional element of a daily covenant lifestyle faith (i.e., “walk,” e.g. Deu 8:6 ; Deu 10:12 ; Deu 28:9 ). Biblical faith is a way of life, not a building, a creed, or a special event or ritual. By their fruits you will know who knows God (cf. Matthew 7).
The term “ways” (BDB 20:2 ) is a Hebrew idiom of lifestyle godliness (cf. Zec 1:6 ; Jos 1:8 ; Jos 1:15 a; Jos 45:13 ; 48:15; Jer 3:21 ; Jer 12:1 ; Jer 23:12 ; Hos 10:13 ; Eze 7:3 ; Eze 7:8-9 ; Eze 7:27 ; Eze 14:22-23 ; Eze 18:25 ; Eze 18:29-30 ; Eze 24:14 ; Eze 33:17 ; Eze 33:20 ; Eze 36:19 ).
▣ “if you will perform My service” This refers to the ritual duties of the Levites and priests. The VERB (BDB 103:6 , KB 158:1 , Qal IMPERFECT) and DIRECT OBJECT (BDB 103:8 ) come from the same Hebrew root. God wants covenant obedience from priests and people.
▣ “you will govern My house” This is a Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 19:2 , KB 22:0 ), which is used basically of the right to judge (of the Messiah in Psa 72:2 ) or rule over.
▣ “and also have charge of My courts” This is the same verb as “perform My service” and refers here to the temple (BDB 34:6 I).
NASB, NJB “free access”
NKJV “places to walk”
NRSV “the right of access”
TEV “I will hear your prayers”
This phrase (BDB 23:7 ) speaks to the duty of priests to approach God on behalf of needy/sinful people. Israel was to be a kingdom of such priests (cf. Exo 19:5-6 ). Joshua and his fellow priests' intimacy and immediacy with God are meant to encourage all Jews that the sacrificial system had been fully renewed. Joshua's special access was not a personal privilege, but a cultic, corporate necessity. Joshua has access to God, even as Satan has access to God; one for advocacy and one for prosecution! God will hear both sides. It is not Joshua's sinlessness that provides access, but his role as high priest for God's people.
E. W. Hengstenberg, Christology of the Old Testament, asserts that the Hebrew word is a Chaldee PARTICIPLE in the Hiphael, which means “to guide” (p. 279).
▣ “these who are standing here” This refers to the heavenly court of angels.
Zec 3:8 “you and your friends who are sitting in front of you” This refers to the other priests and Levites.
▣ “symbol” This is literally “wondrous sign” (BDB 6:8-69 ). How the priests will be a symbol is not specified.
▣ “My Servant” This is an honorific title of the Messiah (cf. Isa 52:13 ; Isa 53:11 ) and also of Moses (cf. Jos 1:1 ), Joshua (Jos 24:29 ), David (2Sa 7:5 ), and Zerubbabel (Hag 2:23 ). This is possibly the background for Paul's use of “slave of Christ.”
▣ “the Branch” This may be “sprout” (BDB 85:5 ). This is another Messianic title (see Special Topic: The Branch of the Lord <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/branch.html>. cf. Zec 6:12 ; Isa 4:2 ; Isa 11:1 ; Isa 53:2 ; Jer 23:5 ; Jer 33:15 ). See full discussion and Special Topic: JESUS THE NAZARENE <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/jesus_nazarene.html>.
This title is used of Zerubbabel in Zec 6:12 as a symbol of the royal Davidic line. It is surprising that it is used in this context which emphasizes the priestly aspect of the Messiah. The twin aspects of redeemer (priestly, cf. Isaiah 5:3 ) and administrative leader (kingly, cf. Isa 9:6-7 ) are merged in the book of Zechariah (cf. chapter 4).
Zec 3:9 “the stone. . .one stone” The identity and purpose of this stone has caused great confusion among interpreters. Some theories are (1) that it relates to the High Priest's breastplate (cf. Exo 28:15-20 ; Exo 39:10-14 ), the stone for Judah; (2) that the Messiah is represented by Zerubbabel (cf. Zec 6:12 ; Hag 2:23 ); (3) that it is the Messianic kingdom (cf. Dan 2:44-45 ); (4) that it is a stone set in the miter worn by the High Priest (cf. Zec 3:5 ); (5) that it is building material for the temple, possibly the cornerstone or capstone (cf. Psa 118:22-23 ; Isa 8:14-15 ; Isa 28:16 ); or (6) that it is another Messianic title (servant, branch, stone).
▣ “seven eyes” This (BDB 74:4 ) refers to (1) eyes or (2) facets of a gem. This, like Zec 4:10 and Eze 1:18 , seems to be a symbol for God's knowledge. see <Special Topic: Symbolic Numbers in Scripture>.
▣ “I will engrave an inscription on it” This VERB (BDB 83:6 II, KB 98:8 ), in Piel PARTICIPLE form, is used most often of engraving a gem. Therefore, cornerstone or capstone is only a remote possibility for the theories of meaning.
▣ “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” The VERB (BDB 55:9 I, KB 56:1 Qal PERFECT) is a metaphor for cleansing and forgiveness. Does this refer to Joshua's forgiveness in Zec 3:4 ? This could be an extension of his forgiveness. It may have a future reference (i.e., “in that day”) to (1) the temple being rebuilt or (2) the Messiah's coming.
This verse would remind the Jews of the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 1:6 ), which includes rituals involving the cleansing of the High Priest himself and their rituals for the cleansing of the nation.
Zec 3:10 “In that day” This is a prophetic idiom (cf. Zec 2:11 ) of the coming day of judgment, forgiveness, and restoration of God's plan for all humanity. It is common in Amos, Hosea, Micah, Zephaniah, and Joel. See Special Topic: That Day <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/day,that.html>.
▣ “to sit under his vine” Palestine was an agricultural society. This was a cultural idiom of family security and prosperity (cf. 1Ki 4:25 ; Mic 4:4 ). Also note the twin emphases of prosperity and community fellowship.
The vine here could be (1) parallel with fig tree and denote fruit or (2) a way of identifying a cool, shady place for relaxation and community fellowship.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Who was Joshua? Who is the Angel of the LORD? Who is the Branch?
2. What is the meaning of Joshua's filthy garments in Zec 3:3 ?
3. How is Zec 3:7 related to Zec 3:4 ?
4. What or who is the stone of Zec 3:9 ?
