Zechariah 6:9

ยถ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me, saying {H559},

This message from ADONAI came to me:

The word of the LORD also came to me, saying,

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

Zechariah 6:9 serves as a pivotal introductory statement, signaling the commencement of a new, direct divine revelation to the prophet Zechariah. It marks a transition from the series of symbolic visions (chapters 1-6:8) to a direct prophetic utterance concerning a significant future event.

Context

This verse immediately follows the vision of the four chariots and their mission, which concluded in Zechariah 6:8. Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet, was ministering to the Jewish remnant who had returned from Babylonian captivity. His prophecies were designed to encourage them in the rebuilding of the Temple and to instill hope regarding God's faithfulness and future plans for His people. Verse 9 sets the stage for one of the most significant prophecies in the book, the symbolic crowning of Joshua the high priest, which powerfully foreshadows the coming Messiah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Authority: The phrase "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," is a common and powerful prophetic formula throughout the Old Testament. It unequivocally states that the message is not Zechariah's own interpretation or human insight, but a direct, authoritative communication from Yahweh Himself. This emphasizes the divine origin and infallible truthfulness of the prophecy that follows.
  • Prophetic Commission: It reiterates Zechariah's role as a true prophet, serving as God's mouthpiece to His people. He is merely the recipient and conveyor of God's direct message.
  • Transition: This verse acts as a clear literary demarcation, shifting the narrative focus from interpreting complex symbolic visions to receiving a direct, imperative command from God regarding a specific action and its profound implications.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase translated "the word of the LORD" is davar Yahweh (ื“ึผึฐื‘ึทืจ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”). This precise phrasing underscores the authenticity and divine source of the message. It signifies a direct, personal communication from God to His chosen prophet, setting the stage for a revelation of immense importance.

Significance and Foreshadowing

While brief, this verse is crucial because it introduces the prophecy concerning the symbolic crowning of Joshua the high priest. This act, commanded by God, is not merely a ritual but a powerful type and shadow of the future Messiah, "the Branch," who would build the true spiritual temple and reign as both King and Priest. The divine origin of this specific instruction elevates its significance, pointing forward to God's ultimate plan for salvation and restoration.

Practical Application

For believers today, Zechariah 6:9 reminds us of God's active involvement in human history and His ongoing communication with His people. It encourages us to:

  • Heed God's Word: Just as Zechariah received and delivered God's word, we are called to listen attentively to and obey the revealed will of God found in the Scriptures.
  • Trust Divine Authority: The emphasis on the "word of the LORD" assures us that biblical prophecy and instruction are not human inventions but divinely inspired truth, worthy of our complete trust, as highlighted in 2 Peter 1:21.
  • Anticipate God's Plan: This verse introduces a prophecy about the coming Messiah, encouraging us to look forward to and understand God's redemptive plan throughout history, culminating in Jesus Christ, the living Word.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 1:1

    ยถ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

  • Zechariah 7:1

    ยถ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [that] the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu;

  • Zechariah 8:1

    ยถ Again the word of the LORD of hosts came [to me], saying,
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