Zechariah3

Zechariah sees a vision of Joshua the High Priest, accused by Satan before the Angel of the LORD. The LORD rebukes Satan and commands Joshua's filthy garments, symbolizing iniquity, to be removed and replaced with clean raiment, signifying purification. Joshua is then charged to walk in God's ways, and the vision concludes with a prophecy of the coming "BRANCH" and the removal of the land's iniquity in one day.
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The Vision of Joshua and Satan

1
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. ​
2
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? ​
3
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. ​
4
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. ​
5
And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. ​

A Charge to the Restored Priest

6
And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
7
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. ​

The Promise of the Branch

8
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. ​
9
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. ​
10
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree. ​

Study Notes for Zechariah 3

Verse 1

This vision takes place in a heavenly courtroom setting. Joshua the High Priest represents the entire restored community of Israel, standing accused. Satan (Heb. *śāṭān*, 'the adversary') acts as the prosecuting attorney.

Verse 2

The LORD defends Joshua, not based on merit, but on divine election and grace. 'A brand plucked out of the fire' is a metaphor emphasizing that Israel’s survival through the Babylonian Exile was a near-miracle achieved solely by God’s intervention (cf. Amos 4:11).

Verse 3

The 'filthy garments' symbolize the collective sin, guilt, and spiritual impurity of the nation, which Joshua bears as the representative High Priest, making him unfit for service.

Verse 4

This declarative act signifies instantaneous justification and cleansing. The removal of the filthy garments and the promise of new robes demonstrate God’s power to forgive sin and restore the priestly office.

Verse 5

The 'fair mitre' (Heb. *ṣānîp*) is the turban of the High Priest, essential for his office (Ex. 28:36-39). The restoration of this sacred attire confirms Joshua’s full reinstatement into priestly holiness and authority.

Verse 7

Joshua’s restoration is conditional upon obedience. If he remains faithful ('keep my charge'), his reward includes authority over the Temple ('judge my house') and access to the heavenly council ('places to walk among these that stand by').

Verse 8

Joshua and his companions are 'men wondered at' (or 'signs/portents'), serving as prophetic symbols pointing toward a greater future reality. The 'BRANCH' (Heb. *ṣemaḥ*) is a key messianic title referring to the future Davidic King who will establish justice and peace (cf. Jer. 23:5; Zech. 6:12).

Verse 9

The 'stone' likely refers to the foundation stone of the rebuilt Temple, but here symbolizes the messianic foundation upon which redemption rests. 'Seven eyes' represents the perfect, all-seeing providence of God. The promise to 'remove the iniquity of that land in one day' anticipates a decisive, singular act of atonement through the Branch.

Verse 10

This verse uses the classic prophetic imagery of 'under the vine and under the fig tree' (cf. Mic. 4:4) to depict the security, prosperity, and peace that will characterize the Messianic Age after sin has been removed.

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