King James Version

What Does Zechariah 6:14 Mean?

Zechariah 6:14 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 6:14 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Zechariah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—After the symbolic crowning, the crowns become a permanent memorial. Vəhā'atārōt tihyeh ləChēlem ūləTōḇīyāh vəlīḏa'yāh ūləChēn ben-Tsəphanyāh ləzikkārōn bəhēyḵal Yahweh (וְהָעֲטָרוֹת תִּהְיֶה לְחֵלֶם וּלְטוֹבִיָּה וְלִידַעְיָה וּלְחֵן בֶּן־צְפַנְיָה לְזִכָּרוֹן בְּהֵיכַל יְהוָה, 'and the crowns shall be for Helem and for Tobijah and for Jedaiah and for Hen son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD'). The names differ slightly from verse 10 (Helem/Heldai, Hen/Josiah), likely variant forms.

The crowns, placed in the temple as zikkārōn (זִכָּרוֹן, 'memorial/remembrance'), serve ongoing testimony to the prophecy. Every time worshipers saw those crowns, they'd remember: a Priest-King is coming, the Branch who will build the true temple. Memorials function as teaching tools, reminding future generations of God's promises (like the twelve stones from Jordan, Joshua 4:6-7). The crowns testified until the Branch came. Jesus entered the Second Temple (after Herodian renovations) as the fulfillment—the crowned Priest-King those memorials announced. The contributors' names preserved in the memorial honor their faithfulness: their exile-offering funded a perpetual witness to Messiah.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The memorial crowns remained in the Second Temple, likely displayed prominently where they'd remind worshipers of the Branch prophecy. For five centuries (516 BC to Jesus's time) those crowns testified to Messiah's dual office. When Jesus cleansed the temple (John 2:13-22), taught there, and claimed temple authority, He stood in the building where memorial crowns announced Him. Tragically, the religious leaders didn't recognize the fulfillment their own memorials proclaimed.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command memorials (like the crowns) to keep promises alive across generations?
  2. How did the exile-offerings of faithful Jews fund a memorial that testified to Messiah for centuries?
  3. What 'memorials' help you remember God's promises when faith weakens?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְהָעֲטָרֹ֗ת1 of 11

“And the crowns”

H5850

a crown

תִּֽהְיֶה֙2 of 11
H1961

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

לְחֵ֙לֶם֙3 of 11

“shall be to Helem”

H2494

chelem, an israelite

וּלְטוֹבִיָּ֣ה4 of 11

“and to Tobijah”

H2900

tobijah, the name of three israelites and of one samaritan

וְלִידַֽעְיָ֔ה5 of 11

“and to Jedaiah”

H3048

jedajah, the name of two israelites

וּלְחֵ֖ן6 of 11

“and to Hen”

H2581

chen, a figurative name for an israelite

בֶּן7 of 11

“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

צְפַנְיָ֑ה8 of 11

“of Zephaniah”

H6846

tsephanjah, the name of four israelites

לְזִכָּר֖וֹן9 of 11

“for a memorial”

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

בְּהֵיכַ֥ל10 of 11

“in the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָֽה׃11 of 11

“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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:14Matthew 26:13Mark 14:91 Corinthians 11:23-26Numbers 16:40Numbers 31:54

Test Your Knowledge

Zechariah 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterZechariah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Zechariah 6 with CommentaryAll Zechariah ChaptersComplete Zechariah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes