Zechariah 6:15

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.

And they that are far off {H7350} shall come {H935} and build {H1129} in the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}, and ye shall know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} hath sent {H7971} me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently {H8085} obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

Those who are now far away will come and help rebuild the temple of ADONAI." Then you will know that it is ADONAI-Tzva'ot who sent me to you. And it will all come about, provided you heed carefully what ADONAI your God says.'"

Even those far away will come and build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”

And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of Jehovah; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God.

Zechariah 6:15 is a prophetic declaration offering a profound glimpse into God's future plans for His people and the world, concluding a series of visions given to the prophet Zechariah.

Context

This verse comes at the end of Zechariah's eighth and final vision, which involves four chariots representing God's divine judgment and sovereignty over the whole earth. Following this, Zechariah is instructed to crown Joshua the high priest, symbolizing the coming Messiah, the "Branch" (Zechariah 6:12). The immediate context of verse 15 speaks to the rebuilding of the Second Temple in post-exilic Jerusalem, a time when the returned Jewish exiles faced discouragement and opposition. It emphasizes that this work is not just for the Jews but has a broader, universal significance.

Key Themes

  • Inclusion of the Gentiles: The phrase "they that are far off" is a key prophetic element, widely interpreted to refer to non-Israelites or Gentiles. This points to a future era—ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant—where people from all nations will come and participate in God's spiritual "temple" or kingdom. This mirrors the New Testament's teaching that those who were once "far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" and become fellow citizens in God's household.
  • Divine Authority and Validation: The declaration "ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you" serves to validate Zechariah's prophetic message and the divine origin of the work. It assures the people that the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding and the grand future promises are indeed from God Himself. The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power and sovereignty over all creation and heavenly armies.
  • Conditional Blessing and Obedience: The concluding clause, "And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God," introduces a vital condition. God's promises, while certain in their ultimate fulfillment, often have immediate blessings and progressive realization tied to human obedience. It underscores the principle that divine favor and the full manifestation of God's plan are contingent upon His people's faithfulness and willingness to "diligently obey" His commands.
  • The Future Temple and Messiah's Reign: While initially referring to the physical temple, this prophecy looks beyond it to the spiritual temple of God's presence, which the church embodies (1 Corinthians 3:16). The coming of "the Branch" (the Messiah) will usher in an era where all peoples will worship the true God, participating in His eternal kingdom.

Practical Application

Zechariah 6:15 offers enduring encouragement and challenge for believers today:

  • It reminds us of God's expansive heart, desiring all people to come and participate in His redemptive work. We are called to be part of His inclusive mission.
  • It reinforces the divine origin of God's Word and the certainty of His prophecies, even when their fulfillment seems far off or impossible.
  • Most importantly, it highlights the continuous call to obedience. Our participation in God's grand plan and our experience of His blessings are deeply connected to our willingness to listen and diligently obey His voice in our daily lives.
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.

  • Isaiah 60:10

    And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

  • Zechariah 3:7

    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.

  • Isaiah 56:6

    Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

  • Isaiah 56:8

    The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

  • Acts 2:39

    For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

  • Isaiah 57:19

    I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

  • Isaiah 58:10

    And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:

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