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Shared Word Translation

Zechariah 3

Fourth Vision: Joshua the High Priest

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and the accuser standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said to the accuser, “The LORD rebuke you, O accuser! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a burning brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. And the angel answered and said to those standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you in festal garments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”

So they put the clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD stood by.

The Charge to Joshua

Then the angel of the LORD solemnly charged Joshua: “Thus says the LORD of Hosts: If you walk in my ways and if you keep my charge, then you shall govern my house and keep my courts, and I will give you access among these who are standing here.

The Branch Is Coming

Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you, for they are people who are a sign: Look, I am bringing my servant, the Branch. For look at the stone that I have set before Joshua. On this one stone are seven eyes. Look, I will engrave its inscription, says the LORD of Hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. On that day, says the LORD of Hosts, each of you shall invite your neighbor to sit under the vine and under the fig tree.”

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Notes

Translation notes for Zechariah 3.

v01

“the accuser” — The Hebrew satan means an adversary or accuser. Here the figure appears in a heavenly judicial setting. The translation renders the function rather than treating the term automatically as a personal name.

v02

“a burning brand plucked from the fire” — Joshua, and through him the restored community, is pictured as something rescued from destruction while still bearing the marks of what has happened.

v03–04

The removal of filthy garments enacts the removal of guilt. The vision communicates restoration through clothing rather than through an abstract explanation.

v04

“festal garments” — The Hebrew term refers to garments changed or appropriate for a different status or occasion. The precise kind of clothing is not specified.

v05

Zechariah himself appears to speak here, asking that a clean priestly turban be placed on Joshua’s head.

v07

“access among these who are standing here” — The Hebrew expression is unusual and can refer to places or paths of access among the heavenly attendants. The translation preserves the promise of access without specifying its precise form.

v08

“people who are a sign” — Joshua and his companions function symbolically within the vision. Their significance points beyond themselves to what the LORD is about to do.

v08

“the Branch” — The Hebrew term can mean a shoot or sprout and became an important royal and restoration image. The title is retained without identifying its fulfillment within the translation itself.

v09

“seven eyes” — The image is intentionally unusual. “Eyes” may indicate facets, markings, or symbolic eyes; the translation retains the concrete Hebrew term.

v10

“under the vine and under the fig tree” — The image depicts settled security, provision, and peace.

v07

“access among these who are standing here” — The Hebrew expression is unusual and can refer to places or paths of access among the heavenly attendants.

v08

“the Branch” — The Hebrew term can mean a shoot or sprout and became an important royal and restoration image.

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Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Zechariah 3.

v01

שָׂטָן (satan)

“Accuser” or “adversary.” One who opposes or brings accusation against another.

v02

אוּד (ud)

“Burning brand” or “firebrand.” A piece of wood pulled from a fire before being consumed.

v03

צוֹא (tso)

“Filthy.” Soiled or polluted, used here of Joshua’s garments.

v04

עָוֹן (avon)

“Guilt,” “iniquity,” or “wrong.” The term can describe wrongdoing together with the burden or consequence attached to it.

v05

צָנִיף (tsanif)

“Turban.” A wrapped head covering, here associated with Joshua’s restored priestly status.

v07

מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret)

“Charge,” “duty,” or “responsibility.” Something entrusted to another for faithful keeping.

v08

צֶמַח (tsemach)

“Branch,” “sprout,” or “shoot.” New growth used prophetically as an image of restoration and future leadership.

v09

עַיִן (ayin)

“Eye.” Used sevenfold in the imagery of the stone; the symbolic significance is not explicitly explained in this verse.