King James Version
Zechariah 3
10 verses with commentary
The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
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. Satan: that is, an adversary to: Heb. to be his adversary
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> Zechariah's fourth vision presents a dramatic courtroom scene. <em>Yehoshua hakohen hagadol</em> (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל, Joshua the high priest—also called Jeshua in Ezra/Nehemiah) stands before <em>mal'akh Yahweh</em> (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, the Ang...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. voice of his words--**the sound of his words.
**was I in a deep sleep--**"I sank into a deep sleep" [Lengkerke].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
In Zechariah's vision, the LORD rebukes Satan: '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?' Joshua the high priest stands before the Angel of the LORD (likely pre-incarnate Christ) while Satan accuses. God's double rebuke of Satan (yig'ar YHWH beka, repeated) asserts divine authorit...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. an hand--**namely, of Gabriel, who interpreted other revelations to Daniel (Da 8:16) [Theodoret].
**set me upon my knees--**Gesenius translates, "cause me to reel on my knees," &c.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel</strong>—Zechariah's fourth vision presents the high priest Joshua (Jeshua) in defiled robes standing before the Angel of the LORD, with Satan as accuser. The Hebrew <em>tsō'īm</em> (צֹאִים, 'filthy/excrement-stained') describes garments soiled with human waste—maximum ritual defilement for a priest who must be ceremon...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. man ... beloved--**(See on Da 9:23).
**understand--**"attend to." See Da 8:17, 18.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him</strong>—The Angel of the LORD commands the removal of defiled robes. The imperative <em>hāsīrū</em> (הָסִירוּ, 'remove/take away') effects instant cleansing—not gradual improvement but decisive justification. The <em>mal'ākīm</em> (מַלְאָכִים, 'angels/messengers') serve as heaven's w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. Fear not--**Be not affrighted at my presence.
**didst set thine heart to understand--**what shall come to pass to thy people at the last times (compare Da 10:14).
**chasten thyself--**(Da 10:2, 3).
**thy words were heard--**(Ac 10:4). Prayer is heard at once in heaven, though the sensible answer may seem to be delayed. God's messenger was detained on the way (Da 10:13) by the oppositio...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-5** Here is the application of the parable to Israel. They must long sit like a widow, stripped of all joys and honours; but shall at length be received again. Those that would seek the Lord so as to find him, must apply to Christ, and become his willing people. Not only are we to fear the Lord and his greatness, but the Lord and his goodness; not only his majesty, but his mercy. Even J...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head</strong>—Remarkably, Zechariah intercedes, requesting the crowning piece of priestly vestments. The <em>tsānīph tāhōr</em> (צָנִיף טָהוֹר, 'clean/pure turban') bore the golden plate inscribed 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' (Exodus 28:36-38). The prophet's participation in the vision suggests the intercessory role of God's people in priestly resto...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. prince of ... Persia--**the angel of darkness that represented the Persian world power, to which Israel was then subject. This verse gives the reason why, though Daniel's "words were heard from the first day" (Da 10:12), the good angel did not come to him until more than three weeks had elapsed (Da 10:4).
**one and twenty days--**answering to the three weeks of Daniel's mourning (Da 10:2)....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 4-5** Here is the application of the parable to Israel. They must long sit like a widow, stripped of all joys and honours; but shall at length be received again. Those that would seek the Lord so as to find him, must apply to Christ, and become his willing people. Not only are we to fear the Lord and his greatness, but the Lord and his goodness; not only his majesty, but his mercy. Even J...
Read full commentary →And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying</strong>—The Hebrew <em>ya'ad</em> (יָעַד, 'solemnly testified/warned') introduces a formal charge or covenant stipulation. The Angel's cleansing grace (vv. 4-5) now transitions to covenant responsibility. Justification leads to sanctification; new robes demand new conduct. This 'protest' isn't hostile but a solemn witness, like a leg...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. what shall befall thy people in the latter days--**an intimation that the prophecy, besides describing the doings of Antiochus, reaches to the concluding calamities of Israel's history, prior to the nation's full restoration at Christ's coming--calamities of which Antiochus' persecutions were the type.
**vision is for many days--**that is, extends far into the future.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →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. charge: or, ordinance places: Heb. walks
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—Conditional covenant blessings tied to faithful obedience. The dual 'if' clauses establish prerequisites: <em>teleḵ bidərāḵay</em> (תֵּלֵךְ בִּדְרָכַי, 'walk in my ways') demands lifestyle conformity to God's character and ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. face toward the ground--**in humble reverence (Ge 19:1).
**dumb--**with overwhelming awe.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →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. wondered: Heb. of wonder, or, sign
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at</strong>—Transition from Joshua personally to the priesthood corporately. The <em>rē'eḵā</em> (רֵעֶיךָ, 'thy companions/fellows') are fellow priests. The phrase <em>anshē mōphēt hēmmāh</em> (אַנְשֵׁי מוֹפֵת הֵמָּה, 'men of a sign/portent') designates them as living prophecy—their ve...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. touched my lips--**the same significant action wherewith the Son of man accompanied His healing of the dumb (Mr 7:33). He alone can give spiritual utterance (Is 6:6, 7; Ep 6:19), enabling one to "open the mouth boldly." The same one who makes dumb (Da 10:15) opens the mouth.
**sorrows--**literally, "writhings" as of a woman in travail.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes</strong>—Mysterious symbolism debated by scholars. The <em>eḇen</em> (אֶבֶן, 'stone') laid before the high priest may be: (1) a foundation stone for the temple (connecting to 4:7-10); (2) the high priest's breastplate stone; or (3) most likely, a messianic symbol. The 'seven eyes' (<em>shiḇ'āh 'ēynayim<...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. this ... this my lord--**to avoid the tautology in English Version, join rather "this," with "servant," "How can this servant of my lord (that is, how can I who am so feeble) talk with this my lord (who is so majestic)?" Thus Daniel gives the reason why he is so overwhelmed with awe [Maurer].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree</strong>—Eschatological peace following atonement. The phrase <em>bayyōm hahū</em> (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, 'in that day') connects to verse 9's 'one day' of sin-removal, projecting to the Messianic age. The idyllic image <strong>under the vine and under the fig tree</strong> echoes S...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. again ... touched me--**It was gradually that Daniel recovered his strength. Hence there was need of the second touch, that he might hear the angel with composure.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
The prophet enters into a new contract, representing the gracious manner in which God will again restore Israel under a new covenant.
**Verses 1-3** The dislike of men to true religion is because they love objects and forms, which allow them to indulge, instead of mortifying their lusts. How wonderful that a holy God should have good-will to those whose carnal mind is enmity agains...
Read full commentary →