Zechariah 3:9

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.

For behold the stone {H68} that I have laid {H5414} before {H6440} Joshua {H3091}; upon one {H259} stone {H68} shall be seven {H7651} eyes {H5869}: behold, I will engrave {H6605} the graving {H6603} thereof, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, and I will remove {H4185} the iniquity {H5771} of that land {H776} in one {H259} day {H3117}.

For look at the stone I have put in front of Y'hoshua: on one stone are seven eyes; I will engrave what is to be written on it,' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot; 'and I will remove the guilt of this land in one day.

See the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave on it an inscription, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.

For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; upon one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

Zechariah 3:9 is a pivotal verse in the vision of Zechariah, following the symbolic cleansing of Joshua the High Priest. It introduces a mysterious "stone" central to God's redemptive plan for His people and the land.

Context

The prophet Zechariah ministered to the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, urging them to rebuild the Temple and restore their spiritual life. Chapter 3 opens with a powerful vision of Joshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, with Satan accusing him. God intervenes, cleansing Joshua of his "filthy garments" and replacing them with pure ones, symbolizing God's forgiveness and restoration of the priesthood (Zechariah 3:4). Verse 9 immediately follows this act of purification, shifting focus to a foundational element of God's future work, hinting at a deeper, spiritual cleansing.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Messianic Stone: The "stone that I have laid before Joshua" is widely understood as a messianic prophecy. This stone represents Christ, who is the foundation and cornerstone of God's spiritual temple (Ephesians 2:20). It signifies a divine provision for salvation and restoration, distinct from human efforts. While it may also allude to Zerubbabel's laying of the literal temple foundation (as seen in Zechariah 4:7-10), its ultimate fulfillment points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of cleansing and new beginnings.
  • Divine Omniscience and Presence: The phrase "upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes" symbolizes God's perfect and complete knowledge, wisdom, and oversight. The number seven often denotes completeness and perfection in biblical numerology. In later prophetic literature, these "seven eyes" are explicitly linked to the seven Spirits of God, which are sent throughout the earth (Revelation 5:6). This indicates that God's plan concerning this stone is executed with full divine awareness and power, ensuring its perfect implementation.
  • God's Engraving and Decisive Action: "Behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's direct, personal, and deliberate involvement in His redemptive work. This engraving signifies divine design and commitment, ensuring the stone's purpose. The profound promise that follows—"and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day"—is the ultimate climax. It points to a singular, decisive event that would accomplish complete atonement and cleansing from sin. This is a clear prophetic foreshadowing of the work of Christ on the cross, where He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, making a way for full forgiveness and removal of sin's guilt in one monumental act (John 1:29).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "seven eyes" (שִׁבְעָה עֵינַיִם, shiv'ah 'enayim) vividly communicates the idea of omnipresent divine scrutiny and perfect insight, highlighting God's constant watchfulness over His plans.
  • "Engrave the graving thereof" comes from the root פָּתַח (pataḥ), meaning to open, engrave, or carve. The repetition emphasizes the precision and intentionality of God's work on this stone, signaling a divine seal of approval and purpose.
  • The promise to "remove the iniquity" (מַשְׁתִּי, mashtiy, from the root מוּשׁ, mush, meaning to depart, remove, take away) highlights a complete and decisive act of purification, not just a covering of sin, but its absolute removal.

Practical Application

Zechariah 3:9 offers immense hope and assurance to all who seek God's redemption. It reminds believers that God has a sovereign plan for salvation, executed through His chosen "stone" – Jesus Christ. The promise of iniquity being removed "in one day" powerfully points to the finished work of the cross, providing complete and instantaneous forgiveness for all who trust in Him. This verse encourages us to rely on God's perfect wisdom and power, knowing that He oversees every detail of His redemptive purposes, ultimately cleansing us from sin and establishing His kingdom.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 4:10

    For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

  • Jeremiah 50:20

    In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

  • Isaiah 28:16

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  • Revelation 5:6

    ¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

  • Psalms 118:22

    The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

  • Romans 9:33

    As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

  • Jeremiah 31:34

    And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

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