King James Version

What Does Zechariah 6:10 Mean?

Zechariah 6:10 in the King James Version says “Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou th...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;”

Zechariah 6:10 · KJV

Context

8

Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

9

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

10

Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;

11

Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

12

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: grow: or, branch up from under him

Read Zechariah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah—God commands Zechariah to receive an offering from three men recently arrived from Babylon: Heldai (חֶלְדַּי, possibly 'worldly/enduring'), Tobijah (טוֹבִיָּה, 'Yahweh is good'), and Jedaiah (יְדַעְיָה, 'Yahweh knows'). These Jews remaining in Babylon sent gold and silver (v. 11) via messengers to support temple rebuilding—a beautiful picture of diaspora Jews supporting the Jerusalem restoration project.

Zechariah must go that same day to Josiah son of Zephaniah's house—urgency and specificity mark obedience. Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּה, 'Yahweh supports') son of Zephaniah (צְפַנְיָה, 'Yahweh has hidden/protected') hosts the visitors, providing hospitality. The names carry significance: God is good (Tobijah), God knows (Jedaiah), God supports (Josiah), God protects (Zephaniah)—a chorus testifying to Yahweh's character. These faithful Jews embody the remnant theology: though scattered, they support God's purposes; though in exile, they invest in restoration. Their offering will fund the prophetic sign pointing to Messiah. Every faithful act, however small, participates in God's grand redemptive plan.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Not all Jews returned to Judah in 538 BC under Cyrus's decree—many remained in Babylon where they'd established lives over seventy years. These diaspora Jews, though not physically present, financially supported temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:4-6; 2:68-69). The three men likely represented a larger Babylonian Jewish community sending contributions. Their gifts would be transformed into prophetic crowns (v. 11), showing that even exile offerings serve God's messianic purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the diaspora Jews' financial support for Jerusalem temple rebuilding model kingdom investment?
  2. What do the clustered meaningful names (Tobijah, Jedaiah, Josiah, Zephaniah) teach about covenant community?
  3. In what ways can you support God's kingdom work even when geographically or circumstantially distant from it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לָק֙וֹחַ֙1 of 20

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֵאֵ֣ת2 of 20
H853

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

הַגּוֹלָ֔ה3 of 20

“of them of the captivity”

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

מֵחֶלְדַּ֕י4 of 20

“even of Heldai”

H2469

cheldai, the name of two israelites

וּמֵאֵ֥ת5 of 20
H853

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

טוֹבִיָּ֖ה6 of 20

“of Tobijah”

H2900

tobijah, the name of three israelites and of one samaritan

וּמֵאֵ֣ת7 of 20
H853

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

יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה8 of 20

“and of Jedaiah”

H3048

jedajah, the name of two israelites

בָּ֖אוּ9 of 20

“and come”

H935

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

אַתָּה֙10 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בַּיּ֣וֹם11 of 20

“thou the same 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

הַה֔וּא12 of 20
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

בָּ֖אוּ13 of 20

“and come”

H935

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

בֵּ֚ית14 of 20

“into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יֹאשִׁיָּ֣ה15 of 20

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

בֶן16 of 20

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צְפַנְיָ֔ה17 of 20

“of Zephaniah”

H6846

tsephanjah, the name of four israelites

אֲשֶׁר18 of 20
H834

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

בָּ֖אוּ19 of 20

“and come”

H935

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

מִבָּבֶֽל׃20 of 20

“from Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 6:10 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 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 7:14-16Ezra 8:26-30Jeremiah 28:6Isaiah 66:20Romans 15:25-26Acts 24:17

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Zechariah 6 →

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