King James Version

What Does Zechariah 3:8 Mean?

Zechariah 3:8 in the King James Version says “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behol...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 3:8 · KJV

Context

6

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

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. charge: or, ordinance places: Heb. walks

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. wondered: Heb. of wonder, or, sign

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

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at—Transition from Joshua personally to the priesthood corporately. The rē'eḵā (רֵעֶיךָ, 'thy companions/fellows') are fellow priests. The phrase anshē mōphēt hēmmāh (אַנְשֵׁי מוֹפֵת הֵמָּה, 'men of a sign/portent') designates them as living prophecy—their very existence and ministry foreshadow future realities. Isaiah and his children were similarly 'signs and wonders' (Isaiah 8:18). The restored priesthood points beyond itself to greater fulfillment.

For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH—Climactic messianic revelation. Et-'aḇḏi tsemach (אֶת־עַבְדִּי צֶמַח, 'my servant the Branch') combines two key titles. 'Servant' recalls Isaiah's Suffering Servant (Isaiah 42:1; 52:13; 53:11) who bears sin and justifies many. 'Branch' (tsemach, צֶמַח) appears in Isaiah 4:2, Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15, depicting the Davidic Messiah sprouting from Jesse's seemingly dead stump (Isaiah 11:1). Zechariah uses 'Branch' four times (3:8; 6:12 twice), emphasizing Messiah's dual role as both suffering Servant and reigning King. The definite article 'THE Branch' marks Him as the unique, promised Shoot. Jesus is the Branch—from David's line, God's obedient Servant, the righteous King who will build the true temple (6:12-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Davidic monarchy had ended with Jeconiah's exile (597 BC), and Zerubbabel the governor, though Davidic, never became king. No earthly king sat on David's throne during the Second Temple period. The 'Branch' promises that God hasn't abandoned His covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The future Messiah will fulfill what the post-exilic community only foreshadows. The priests are 'signs' pointing to the Priest-King yet to come.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'Branch' title combine Davidic royal lineage with new-growth imagery of resurrection?
  2. In what ways did Jesus fulfill the dual role of 'Servant' and 'Branch'?
  3. How does recognizing ourselves as 'signs' pointing to Christ change our sense of purpose?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
שְֽׁמַֽע1 of 19

“Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָ֞א2 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ׀3 of 19

“now O Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

הַכֹּהֵ֣ן4 of 19

“priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַגָּד֗וֹל5 of 19

“the high”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אַתָּה֙6 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְרֵעֶ֙יךָ֙7 of 19

“thou and thy fellows”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

הַיֹּשְׁבִ֣ים8 of 19

“that sit”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ9 of 19

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּֽי10 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַנְשֵׁ֥י11 of 19
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מוֹפֵ֖ת12 of 19

“wondered at”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

הֵ֑מָּה13 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

כִּֽי14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנְנִ֥י15 of 19
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֛יא16 of 19

“for behold I will bring forth”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַבְדִּ֖י18 of 19

“my servant”

H5650

a servant

צֶֽמַח׃19 of 19

“the BRANCH”

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 3:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:5Isaiah 11:1Zechariah 6:12Jeremiah 33:15Isaiah 42:1Isaiah 53:2

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