King James Version

What Does Zechariah 6:13 Mean?

Zechariah 6:13 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Zechariah 6:13 · KJV


Context

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.

15

And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The prophecy intensifies with emphatic repetition: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD confirms verse 12. And he shall bear the glory (vəhū' yissā' hōḏ, וְהוּא יִשָּׂא הוֹד)—hōḏ (הוֹד) means splendor, majesty, royal dignity. The Branch will carry divine glory, as Jesus revealed: 'we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father' (John 1:14).

And shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne—Two offices, one throne. Vəyāshaḇ ūmāshal 'al-kis'ō vəhāyāh khōhēn 'al-kis'ō (וְיָשַׁב וּמָשַׁל עַל־כִּסְאוֹ וְהָיָה כֹהֵן עַל־כִּסְאוֹ, 'and he shall sit and rule on his throne, and he shall be a priest on his throne'). Kings rule from thrones; priests serve at altars. The Branch does both simultaneously from one throne—royal authority and priestly mediation united. And the counsel of peace shall be between them both'atsath shālōm tihyeh bēyn shənēhem (עֲצַת שָׁלוֹם תִּהְיֶה בֵּין שְׁנֵיהֶם, 'and counsel of peace shall be between the two'). The 'two' are the priestly and royal offices, harmoniously united in the Branch. Or it may refer to the Branch and Yahweh working in perfect agreement. Jesus is both our King and High Priest, making peace between God and humanity (Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In Israel's history, priesthood (Levi) and kingship (Judah) were separate tribes and functions. Any attempt to combine them met divine judgment. The Branch's uniqueness is that He legitimately holds both offices without usurpation. Jesus descended from Judah (royalty) yet is 'a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek' (Hebrews 7:14-17), the ancient priest-king who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20). The 'counsel of peace' between the offices culminates in Christ reconciling God and sinners.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus bearing 'the glory' fulfill divine majesty in human form?
  2. Why is it essential that Christ be both King (ruling) and Priest (mediating) on one throne?
  3. What practical difference does Christ's dual priest-king office make in your relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְ֠הוּא1 of 21
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

יִבְנֶ֞ה2 of 21

Even he shall build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

הֵיכַ֤ל4 of 21

the temple

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָה֙5 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

וְהֽוּא6 of 21
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

יִשָּׂ֣א7 of 21

and he shall bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

ה֔וֹד8 of 21

the glory

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

וְיָשַׁ֥ב9 of 21

and shall sit

H3427

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

וּמָשַׁ֖ל10 of 21

and rule

H4910

to rule

עַל11 of 21
H5921

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

כִּסְא֔וֹ12 of 21

upon his throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

וְהָיָ֤ה13 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כֹהֵן֙14 of 21

and he shall be a priest

H3548

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

עַל15 of 21
H5921

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

כִּסְא֔וֹ16 of 21

upon his throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

וַעֲצַ֣ת17 of 21

and the counsel

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

שָׁל֔וֹם18 of 21

of peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

תִּהְיֶ֖ה19 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בֵּ֥ין20 of 21
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃21 of 21

shall be between them both

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold


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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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