King James Version

What Does Zechariah 6:15 Mean?

Zechariah 6:15 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 6:15 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The prophecy's scope expands: ūrəchōqīm yāḇō'ū ūḇānū bəhēyḵal Yahweh (וּרְחֹקִים יָבוֹאוּ וּבָנוּ בְהֵיכַל יְהוָה, 'and those far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD'). The 'far off' (rəchōqīm, רְחֹקִים) are distant peoples—Gentiles—who will participate in building God's temple. This echoes 2:11, 'many nations shall be joined to the LORD.' Ephesians 2:13, 17 quotes this: 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh... and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.'

Gentiles build the temple by becoming 'living stones' in God's spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). Paul calls Gentile believers 'fellow citizens... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord' (Ephesians 2:19-21). And ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me—when distant peoples build God's temple (the church), it proves Zechariah spoke by divine commission. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God—conditional: covenant blessing depends on obedience. The promises stand, but individual participation requires faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Zechariah's day, Gentile participation seemed unlikely—Israel was a tiny, struggling remnant. Yet Pentecost inaugurated mass Gentile inclusion (Acts 10-11, 15), and within decades the church was predominantly non-Jewish. Those 'far off' did come and build the temple—not Zerubbabel's physical structure but Christ's spiritual body. The Second Temple was destroyed in AD 70, but the Spirit-temple of believers continues growing, fulfilling this prophecy. Obedience remains the condition for participating in God's building project.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Gentile inclusion in the church fulfill 'they that are far off shall come and build in the temple'?
  2. What does 'building in the temple' mean for Christians today who are living stones in God's house?
  3. How does the conditional clause ('if ye will diligently obey') balance God's promises with human responsibility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּרְחוֹקִ֣ים׀1 of 18

“And they that are far off”

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

יָבֹ֗אוּ2 of 18

“shall come”

H935

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

וּבָנוּ֙3 of 18

“and build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בְּהֵיכַ֣ל4 of 18

“in the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָ֥ה5 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וִידַעְתֶּ֕ם6 of 18

“and ye shall know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי7 of 18
H3588

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

יְהוָ֥ה8 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת9 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

שְׁלָחַ֣נִי10 of 18

“hath sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם11 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְהָיָה֙12 of 18
H1961

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

אִם13 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמְע֔וּן14 of 18

“me unto you And this shall come to pass if ye will diligently”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

תִּשְׁמְע֔וּן15 of 18

“me unto you And this shall come to pass if ye will diligently”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֖וֹל16 of 18

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֥ה17 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃18 of 18

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 60:101 Peter 2:4-5Zechariah 3:7Isaiah 57:19Isaiah 56:6-8Isaiah 58:10-14

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