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Zechariah 3:1

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¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

And he shewed {H7200} me Joshua {H3091} the high {H1419} priest {H3548} standing {H5975} before {H6440} the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, and Satan {H7854} standing {H5975} at his right hand {H3225} to resist {H7853} him.

He showed me Y'hoshua the cohen hagadol standing before the angel of ADONAI, with the Accuser [Hebrew: Satan] standing at his right to accuse him.

Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.

Commentary

Zechariah 3:1 opens a powerful prophetic vision given to the prophet Zechariah, depicting a dramatic scene in a heavenly courtroom. This verse introduces the central characters: Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Angel of the LORD, while Satan stands at his right hand to accuse him.

Context

This vision is part of a series of "night visions" (Zechariah 1-6) that Zechariah received shortly after the Jewish exiles returned from Babylonian captivity (around 520 BC). The people faced immense challenges in rebuilding the Temple and restoring Jerusalem, often feeling discouraged and unholy. Joshua the high priest, along with Zerubbabel the governor, represented the spiritual and political leadership of the newly returned community. In this specific vision, Joshua symbolizes the entire nation of Israel, standing accused of its past sins and present imperfections before God.

Key Themes

  • The Divine Courtroom: The scene portrays a heavenly tribunal where God's justice and mercy are dispensed. Joshua stands as the defendant, representing a sinful people, while the Angel of the LORD acts as the judge or advocate, and Satan as the relentless prosecutor.
  • Satan as the Accuser: The name Satan (Hebrew: שָׂטָן, śāṭān) literally means "adversary" or "accuser." His position "at his right hand" is the traditional place for a prosecutor or an opponent in a legal proceeding. This highlights Satan's ongoing role in spiritual warfare, seeking to condemn and resist God's people.
  • The High Priest as Representative: Joshua, as the high priest, was responsible for mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices for sin. His presence in this vision underscores the nation's need for spiritual cleansing and the restoration of a pure priesthood, essential for their covenant relationship with God.
  • Spiritual Conflict: The verse vividly illustrates the unseen spiritual battle that believers face. It reveals that our struggles are not merely against "flesh and blood" but against "principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה, mal’akh Yahweh) is significant throughout the Old Testament. This figure is often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, demonstrating divine authority and acting on God's behalf. His role in this vision as the one before whom Joshua stands, and who later rebukes Satan (Zechariah 3:2), points to His ultimate authority and redemptive purpose.

Practical Application

Zechariah 3:1 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today:

  • Understanding Spiritual Opposition: It reminds us that Satan actively seeks to accuse and condemn us because of our sins and failures. He is the "accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10).
  • Our Advocate in Christ: Just as the Angel of the LORD intervened for Joshua, believers have an advocate in Jesus Christ, who stands before God on our behalf. He is our high priest who intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).
  • Cleansing and Justification: The subsequent verses in Zechariah 3 show Joshua's filthy garments being removed and replaced with clean ones (Zechariah 3:4), symbolizing God's act of cleansing and justification. This foreshadows the truth that through Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we are clothed in His righteousness, standing pure before God despite Satan's accusations.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:31 (8 votes)

    And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:

  • 1 Peter 5:8 (8 votes)

    ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Revelation 12:9 (7 votes)

    And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Revelation 12:10 (7 votes)

    And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

  • Psalms 109:6 (6 votes)

    ¶ Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

  • Job 2:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

  • Job 2:8 (5 votes)

    And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.