King James Version

What Does Zechariah 3:9 Mean?

Zechariah 3:9 in the King James Version says “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the grav...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 3:9 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Zechariah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes—Mysterious symbolism debated by scholars. The eḇen (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' (shiḇ'āh 'ēynayim, שִׁבְעָה עֵינָיִם) represent complete divine knowledge and providential oversight (Revelation 5:6 identifies them as 'the seven Spirits of God'). The stone simultaneously represents Christ (the foundation stone, Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6) and God's omniscient watch over His redemptive purposes.

Behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day—Mephattēach pittūchāh (מְפַתֵּחַ פִּתֻּחָהּ, 'I will engrave its engraving') depicts God carving an inscription on the stone—perhaps like the 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' plate (Exodus 28:36) or the law written on stone tablets, but here accomplished by God Himself. The promise I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day points to decisive atonement. Beyōm echāḏ (בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, 'in one day') prophesies Christ's crucifixion—the day when 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself' (2 Corinthians 5:19). On one Friday afternoon, the guilt of 'that land' (Israel) and the world was borne by the stone the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) occurred yearly (Leviticus 16), but this prophecy promises permanent, once-for-all atonement 'in one day.' Hebrews 9:12, 26 declares that Christ 'by his own blood entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.' The 'one day' of Zechariah 3:9 is the 'one sacrifice for sins forever' of Hebrews 10:12.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'stone with seven eyes' combine Christ's role as foundation with God's omniscient governance?
  2. Why is the 'one day' removal of iniquity so significant compared to annual sacrifices?
  3. What does God 'engraving the stone' Himself (not human engraving) reveal about salvation's source?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֣י׀1 of 25
H3588

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

הִנֵּ֣ה2 of 25
H2009

lo!

אֶ֥בֶן3 of 25

“For behold the stone”

H68

a stone

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֙תִּי֙5 of 25

“that I have laid”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 25

“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

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ7 of 25

“Joshua”

H3091

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

עַל8 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶ֥בֶן9 of 25

“For behold the stone”

H68

a stone

אֶחָֽד׃10 of 25

“in one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

שִׁבְעָ֣ה11 of 25

“shall be seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עֵינָ֑יִם12 of 25

“eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הִנְנִ֧י13 of 25
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מְפַתֵּ֣חַ14 of 25

“behold I will engrave”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ15 of 25

“the graving”

H6603

sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio)

נְאֻם֙16 of 25

“thereof saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֣ה17 of 25

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת18 of 25

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וּמַשְׁתִּ֛י19 of 25

“and I will remove”

H4185

to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)

אֶת20 of 25
H853

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

עֲוֹ֥ן21 of 25

“the iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

הָאָֽרֶץ22 of 25

“of that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַהִ֖יא23 of 25
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בְּי֥וֹם24 of 25

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָֽד׃25 of 25

“in one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

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 3:9 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 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 4:10Jeremiah 50:20Revelation 5:6Isaiah 28:16Jeremiah 31:34Psalms 118:22

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