Zechariah 6:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the crowns {H5850} shall be to Helem {H2494}, and to Tobijah {H2900}, and to Jedaiah {H3048}, and to Hen {H2581} the son {H1121} of Zephaniah {H6846}, for a memorial {H2146} in the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The other crowns will be for Helem, Toviyah, Y'da'yah and Hen the son of Tz'fanyah; then [they are to be kept] as a memorial in the temple of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The crown will reside in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and the gracious son of Zephaniah.

American Standard Version

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 Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 6:14 concludes a pivotal prophetic action, detailing the disposition of the crowns crafted from the contributions of returning exiles. These crowns, initially placed on Joshua the High Priest as a symbolic act pointing to the coming Messiah, were to be preserved as a lasting "memorial" within the newly reconstructed Temple. This act solidified the prophetic vision, ensuring a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness, the community's participation, and the ultimate fulfillment in the Branch, who would combine both kingly and priestly authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 6:14 serves as the culmination and practical application of the vision described in the preceding verses. Following the vision of the four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8), which symbolizes God's judgment and sovereign control over the earth, the narrative shifts to a specific prophetic action. In [Zechariah 6:9-11](/zechariah/6-9-11 "Zechariah 6:9-11 - The Crowning of Joshua"), the prophet is commanded to take gold and silver from returning exiles (Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen) and make crowns. These crowns are then placed upon the head of Joshua the High Priest, an act immediately followed by the significant prophecy of "the Branch" who will build the Temple and rule as both King and Priest ([Zechariah 6:12-13](/zechariah/6-12-13 "Zechariah 6:12-13 - The Branch, King and Priest")). Verse 14, therefore, explains the permanent disposition of these symbolic crowns, ensuring their continued presence in the Temple as a perpetual sign, linking the immediate historical event to its future Messianic fulfillment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Zechariah is set in the crucial post-exilic period, approximately 520-518 BC, when the Jewish people had returned from their seventy-year captivity in Babylon. This era was marked by the challenging task of rebuilding Jerusalem and, most significantly, the Temple, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Zechariah, alongside the prophet Haggai, was commissioned by God to encourage the disheartened people and their leaders—Zerubbabel, the governor and a descendant of David, and Joshua, the High Priest—to complete the Temple's reconstruction. The individuals named in this verse (Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah) are identified in [Zechariah 6:10](/zechariah/6-10 "Zechariah 6:10 - The Exiles' Contributions") as those who had come from Babylon, bringing contributions of gold and silver. Their participation underscores the communal effort and sacrificial giving involved in restoring God's dwelling place and maintaining the hope of His covenant promises in a challenging socio-political environment under Persian rule.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Remembrance and Covenant Faithfulness**. The crowns serving as a "memorial" (Hebrew *zikrôwn*) in the Temple signify God's unwavering commitment to His promises, particularly concerning the coming Messiah and the restoration of His people. Secondly, the verse reinforces the central theme of the **Messianic "Branch"**. While Joshua the High Priest physically wore the crowns, the ultimate prophetic import pointed to the future "Branch" ([Zechariah 3:8](/zechariah/3-8 "Zechariah 3:8 - The Branch") and [Zechariah 6:12](/zechariah/6-12 "Zechariah 6:12 - The Branch Builds the Temple")), who would uniquely combine both royal (kingly) and priestly authority. The crowns, therefore, were a tangible representation of this future reality, preserved in the Temple as a constant hope for the one who would truly build the spiritual temple and rule in peace. Lastly, the naming of the contributors emphasizes the theme of **Community Participation and Recognition** in God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that faithful stewardship and involvement in God's work are remembered and honored.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Crowns (Hebrew, _ʻăṭârâh'_):** From the root `עָטַר` (atar), meaning "to surround" or "to crown," this word refers to a crown, often symbolizing royalty, authority, or honor. In [Zechariah 6:11](/zechariah/6-11 "Zechariah 6:11 - Crowning of Joshua"), these crowns are specifically made of gold and silver, indicating their preciousness and the high significance of the act. Here, their placement as a memorial underscores their enduring symbolic value, pointing beyond Joshua to the ultimate King-Priest.
* **Memorial (Hebrew, _zikrôwn'_):** From the verb `זָכַר` (zakhar), "to remember," this term denotes a memento, a memorable thing, or a record. It signifies something designed to evoke remembrance or to commemorate an event, person, or covenant. In this context, the crowns were not merely decorative but served as a perpetual, tangible reminder within the Temple of the prophetic crowning of Joshua and, more profoundly, of the promised coming of "the Branch" and God's faithfulness to His redemptive plan.
* **Temple (Hebrew, _hêykâl'_):** Probably derived from a root meaning "capacity" or "ability," this word refers to a large public building, specifically a palace or a temple. In the Old Testament, it most commonly denotes the sacred house of God in Jerusalem. The placement of the crowns "in the temple of the LORD" signifies that this memorial was consecrated and set apart within God's holy dwelling, emphasizing its divine origin and sacred purpose as a testimony to God's future work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah":** This clause specifies the disposition of the crowns, not as personal possessions for these individuals, but as a memorial *in their honor* or *associated with their names*. These men, having recently returned from Babylon, provided the gold and silver for the crowns ([Zechariah 6:10](/zechariah/6-10 "Zechariah 6:10 - Contributions from Exiles")). Their names being affixed to this memorial ensures that their faithful contributions to the rebuilding of the Temple and their participation in this significant prophetic act are permanently remembered within the sacred space. It highlights the importance of individual devotion and corporate involvement in God's redemptive purposes.
* **"for a memorial in the temple of the LORD":** This phrase articulates the primary purpose of the crowns. They were not merely decorative items but a *zikrôwn*, a lasting sign or reminder. Placed within the Temple, God's dwelling place, they served as a perpetual testimony to the prophetic vision of the Branch, the future King-Priest. This memorial would remind future generations of God's promise to raise up a righteous Branch who would build His spiritual Temple and reign in glory, connecting the immediate historical context of Temple rebuilding to the ultimate eschatological hope.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 6:14 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "crowns" serving as powerful symbols of both royalty and priestly authority, initially embodied by Joshua but ultimately pointing to the Messianic "Branch." Their placement in the Temple transforms them into a **memorial**, a tangible representation designed to perpetuate remembrance of a divine promise and a significant prophetic act. The naming of the individuals (Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen) can be seen as a form of **commemoration**, honoring their specific contributions and integrating their names into the sacred history associated with the Temple's restoration and the Messianic hope. This act of naming also functions as a **metonymy**, where the names of the individuals stand for their faithful contributions and the collective participation of the returning exiles in God's work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 6:14 powerfully underscores the theme of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly concerning the coming Messiah. The crowns, preserved as a memorial in the Temple, served as a constant, tangible reminder to the post-exilic community that God's plans for a future King-Priest, the "Branch," were certain, even amidst their present struggles. This act of remembrance is central to biblical theology, as God often establishes physical signs to prompt His people to recall His mighty acts and future intentions. It teaches us that God values and remembers the faithful contributions of His people, integrating their acts of devotion into His larger redemptive narrative. The Temple itself, as the locus of this memorial, points to the sacred space where God meets His people and where His future glory will be revealed through the ultimate King-Priest.

* [Joshua 4:7](/joshua/4-7 "Memorial Stones from the Jordan")
* [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary")
* [Revelation 1:6](/revelation/1-6 "Revelation 1:6 - A Kingdom of Priests to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 6:14 invites contemporary believers to reflect on the enduring nature of God's promises and the significance of our participation in His ongoing work. Just as the crowns served as a tangible memorial of the coming Messiah for the post-exilic community, we are called to live in light of Christ's finished work and His promised return. Our acts of worship, service, and contributions to God's kingdom, however small they may seem, are not forgotten; they become part of a larger, eternal testimony to His glory and faithfulness. This verse encourages us to value our role in God's purposes, to contribute faithfully to the building of His spiritual temple (the church), and to maintain a steadfast hope in the ultimate reign of Jesus Christ, the true King and Priest. It reminds us that our present actions have lasting significance within God's grand redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "memorial" in Zechariah 6:14 encourage you about the lasting impact of faithful service to God?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as the church, serve as a "memorial" or living testimony to Christ's work in the world today?**
* **Considering the dual kingly and priestly roles foreshadowed by the crowns, how does understanding Jesus as both King and Priest impact your daily life and worship?**
* **What specific contributions can you make to the "temple of the LORD" today, which is His church, that would serve as a lasting testament to His glory?**

### FAQ

**Why were the crowns given to these specific individuals?**

Answer: The crowns were not "given to" Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen for their personal possession or use. Rather, the verse states they "shall be to" these individuals, meaning they were to be kept *as a memorial associated with their names* within the Temple. This was to honor their significant contributions of gold and silver ([Zechariah 6:10](/zechariah/6-10 "Zechariah 6:10 - Contributions from Exiles")) that made the crowns possible. Their faithful giving was thus permanently enshrined in the sacred space as a testament to their participation in God's work and the prophetic event.

**What is the significance of the crowns being a "memorial in the temple"?**

Answer: The term "memorial" (Hebrew *zikrôwn*) signifies something intended to bring to remembrance or to commemorate. By placing the crowns in the Temple, they became a perpetual, visible reminder of the prophetic crowning of Joshua and, more importantly, of the promise of the coming Messianic "Branch" who would be both King and Priest ([Zechariah 6:12-13](/zechariah/6-12-13 "Zechariah 6:12-13 - The Branch, King and Priest")). It ensured that the significance of this act—God's faithfulness and future plans—would not be forgotten by future generations. The Temple, as God's dwelling place, was the most sacred and fitting location for such a lasting testimony.

**How do these crowns relate to the "Branch" mentioned earlier in Zechariah?**

Answer: The crowns are directly and intimately related to the "Branch." In [Zechariah 6:11](/zechariah/6-11 "Zechariah 6:11 - Crowning of Joshua"), the crowns are placed on Joshua's head, but immediately afterwards, [Zechariah 6:12-13](/zechariah/6-12-13 "Zechariah 6:12-13 - The Branch, King and Priest") clarifies that Joshua is merely a symbolic figure. The true recipient of the kingly and priestly authority represented by the crowns is "the Man whose name is the Branch," who will "build the temple of the LORD" and "bear the glory" and "sit and rule on his throne." The crowns, therefore, serve as a tangible, enduring symbol of the future Messiah's unique dual role as both King and High Priest, a promise preserved within the Temple until its ultimate fulfillment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 6:14, with its emphasis on the crowns as a memorial in the Temple, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The crowns, symbolizing both royal and priestly authority, were placed on Joshua's head as a prophetic foreshadowing of the "Branch" ([Zechariah 6:12](/zechariah/6-12 "Zechariah 6:12 - The Branch Builds the Temple")). Jesus is that promised Branch, the one who perfectly embodies the dual office of King and Priest. He is the King of Kings ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), reigning from His heavenly throne, and simultaneously our great High Priest ([Hebrews 8:1-2](/hebrews/8-1-2 "Hebrews 8:1-2 - Christ, High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary")), who offered the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Unlike the earthly Temple where the crowns were kept, Jesus Himself is the true Temple, the meeting place between God and humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). He has built the spiritual Temple, which is His church, composed of living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")). The memorial of the crowns in Zechariah points forward to Christ's eternal reign and priesthood, a reality that is not merely remembered but actively experienced by believers who are now part of His kingdom of priests ([Revelation 1:6](/revelation/1-6 "Revelation 1:6 - A Kingdom of Priests to God")). Thus, Zechariah 6:14 is a beautiful testament to God's long-foretold plan, culminating in the person and work of Jesus, our crowned King and forever High Priest.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 26:13

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Exodus 12:14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Mark 14:9

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, [this] also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

1 Corinthians 11:23

¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Exodus 28:29

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy [place], for a memorial before the LORD continually.

Acts 10:4

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.