King James Version

What Does Zechariah 6:12 Mean?

Zechariah 6:12 in the King James Version says “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he sha...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 6:12 · KJV

Context

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

13

Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

14

And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

Read Zechariah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH—While crowning Joshua, Zechariah must declare this isn't about Joshua but about the man whose name is THE BRANCH (hinnēh-īsh Tsemach shəmō, הִנֵּה־אִישׁ צֶמַח שְׁמוֹ, 'Behold the man, Branch is his name'). Tsemach (צֶמַח, 'branch/sprout/shoot') appears as a messianic title in Isaiah 4:2, Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15, and Zechariah 3:8. The Branch is from David's line (Jeremiah 23:5), sprouting from Jesse's stump (Isaiah 11:1), embodying both divine and human nature.

And he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD—Ūmitachtāyw yitsmāch ūḇānāh et-hēyḵal Yahweh (וּמִתַּחְתָּיו יִצְמָח וּבָנָה אֶת־הֵיכַל יְהוָה, 'and from his place he shall sprout/branch out, and he shall build the temple of the LORD'). The Branch grows organically from his place—not imported or imposed but arising from within Israel. He will build the temple of the LORD—not merely Zerubbabel's physical temple but the true, ultimate temple. Jesus declared, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up'—speaking of His body (John 2:19-21). Paul calls the church 'the temple of God' (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22). The Branch builds God's dwelling place: His body, His church, and ultimately the New Jerusalem where God dwells with humanity (Revelation 21:3, 22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zerubbabel was building the Second Temple (completed 516 BC), but this prophecy leaps beyond physical architecture to spiritual reality. The 'man whose name is Branch' wouldn't appear for five centuries—Jesus of Nazareth from David's line. His 'building the temple' occurred through His death, resurrection (rebuilding His body-temple in three days), and Pentecost (birthing the Spirit-indwelt church-temple). The modest Second Temple pointed beyond itself to the greater temple the Branch would build.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the title 'Branch' combine imagery of living growth with Davidic royalty?
  2. In what multiple senses did Jesus 'build the temple of the LORD' (His body, the church, the New Jerusalem)?
  3. How does recognizing yourself as part of Christ's temple change your sense of identity and purpose?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לֵאמֹ֑ר1 of 18

“And speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֑ר3 of 18

“And speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֥ה4 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֵאמֹ֑ר5 of 18

“And speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃6 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת7 of 18

“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

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 18

“And speak”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּה9 of 18
H2009

lo!

אִ֞ישׁ10 of 18

“Behold the man”

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)

צֶ֤מַח11 of 18

“is The BRANCH”

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

שְׁמוֹ֙12 of 18

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וּמִתַּחְתָּ֣יו13 of 18
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יִצְמָ֔ח14 of 18

“and he shall grow up”

H6779

to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

וּבָנָ֖ה15 of 18

“out of his place and he shall build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת16 of 18
H853

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

הֵיכַ֥ל17 of 18

“the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָֽה׃18 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 6:12 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 6:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 33:15Zechariah 3:8Isaiah 4:2Isaiah 11:1Jeremiah 23:5Isaiah 53:2

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