Zechariah 3:1-7
New English Translation
Vision Four: The Priest
3 Next I saw Joshua the high priest[a] standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan[b] standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 The Lord[c] said to Satan, “May the Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Isn’t this man like a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes[d] as he stood there before the angel. 4 The angel[e] spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua,[f] “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you[g] in fine clothing.” 5 Then I spoke up, “Let a clean turban be put on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood nearby. 6 Then the angel of the Lord exhorted Joshua solemnly: 7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘If you follow[h] my ways and keep my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple[i] and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you.
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- Zechariah 3:1 sn Joshua the high priest mentioned here is the son of the priest Jehozadak, mentioned also in Hag 1:1 (cf. Ezra 2:2; 3:2, 8; 4:3; 5:2; 10:18; Neh 7:7; 12:1, 7, 10, 26). He also appears to have been the grandfather of the high priest contemporary with Nehemiah ca. 445 b.c. (Neh 12:10).
- Zechariah 3:1 tn The Hebrew term הַשָּׂטָן (hassatan, “the satan”) suggests not so much a personal name (as in almost all English translations) but an epithet, namely, “the adversary.” This evil being is also described this way in Job 1 and 2 and possibly 1 Chr 21:1.
- Zechariah 3:2 sn The juxtaposition of the messenger of the Lord in v. 1 and the Lord in v. 2 shows that here, at least, they are one and the same. See Zech 1:11, 12 where they are distinguished from each other.
- Zechariah 3:3 sn The Hebrew word צוֹאִים (tsoʾim) means “excrement.” This disgusting figure of speech suggests Joshua’s absolute disqualification for priestly service in the flesh, but v. 2 speaks of his having been rescued from that deplorable state by God’s grace. He is like a burning stick pulled out of the fire before it is consumed. This is a picture of cleansing, saving grace.
- Zechariah 3:4 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the angel, cf. v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Zechariah 3:4 tn Heb “to him”; the referent (Joshua) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Zechariah 3:4 tn The occurrence of the infinitive absolute here for an expected imperfect first person common singular (or even imperative second person masculine plural or preterite third person masculine plural) is well-attested elsewhere. Most English translations render this as first person singular (“and I will clothe”), but cf. NAB “Take off…and clothe him.”
- Zechariah 3:7 tn Heb “walk,” a frequent biblical metaphor for lifestyle or conduct; TEV “If you [+ truly CEV] obey.” To “walk” in the ways of the Lord is to live life as he intends (cf. Deut 8:6; 10:12-22; 28:9).
- Zechariah 3:7 sn The statement you will be able to preside over my temple (Heb “house,” a reference to the Jerusalem temple) is a hint of the increasingly important role the high priest played in the postexilic Jewish community, especially in the absence of a monarchy. It also suggests the messianic character of the eschatological priesthood in which the priest would have royal prerogatives.
Zechariah 3:1-7
New American Standard Bible
Joshua, the High Priest
3 Then he showed me (A)Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and [a](B)Satan standing at his right to accuse him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “(C)The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has (D)chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a (E)log snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed in (F)filthy garments and was standing before the angel. 4 And he responded and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “(G)Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have (H)taken your guilt away from you and [b]will (I)clothe you with festive robes.” 5 Then I said, “Have them put a clean (J)headband on his head.” So they put the clean headband on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.
6 And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘If you (K)walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will both (L)govern My house and be in charge of My (M)courtyards, and I will grant you [c]free access among these who are standing here.
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- Zechariah 3:1 Satan is Heb for Adversary; or Accuser
- Zechariah 3:4 Lit to clothe
- Zechariah 3:7 Lit goings
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