Zechariah 6:9-15
New English Translation
A Concluding Oracle
9 The Lord’s message came to me as follows: 10 “Choose some people[a] from among the exiles, namely, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, all who have come from Babylon, and when you have done so go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.[b] 11 Then take some silver and gold to make a crown[c] and set it on the head of Joshua the high priest, the son of Jehozadak. 12 Then say to him, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “Look—here is the man whose name is Branch,[d] who will sprout up from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 Indeed, he will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed in splendor, sitting as king on his throne. Moreover, there will be a priest[e] with him on his throne and they will see eye to eye on everything. 14 The crown will then be turned over to Helem,[f] Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen[g] son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. 15 Then those who are far away[h] will come and build the temple of the Lord so that you may know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me to you. This will all come to pass if you completely obey the voice of the Lord your God.”’”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Zechariah 6:10 tn The words “some people” are supplied in the translation. The Hebrew verb translated “choose” (alternatively “take” [NAB, NIV]; “collect” [NRSV, CEV]) has no direct object specified in the text. Some translations supply “silver and gold” (NIV, NRSV) or “an offering” (NASB).
- Zechariah 6:10 sn Except for Joshua (v. 11) none of these individuals is otherwise mentioned and therefore they cannot be further identified.
- Zechariah 6:11 tn Heb “crowns” (so KJV, ASV; also in v. 14). The Hebrew word for “crown” here is עֲטֶרֶת (ʿateret), a term never used in the OT for the priestly crown or mitre. Thus, the scene here describes the investing of the priest with royal authority.
- Zechariah 6:12 tn The epithet “Branch” (צֶמַח, tsemakh) derives from the verb used here (יִצְמָח, yitsmakh, “will sprout up”) to describe the rise of the Messiah, already referred to in this manner in Zech 3:8 (cf. Isa 11:1; 53:2; Jer 33:15). In the immediate context this refers to Zerubbabel, but the ultimate referent is Jesus (cf. John 19:5).
- Zechariah 6:13 sn The priest here in the immediate context is Joshua but the fuller and more distant allusion is to the Messiah, a ruling priest. The notion of the ruler as a priest-king was already apparent in David and his successors (Pss 2:2, 6-8; 110:2, 4), and it finds mature expression in David’s greater Son, Jesus Christ, who will combine both offices in his kingship (Heb 5:1-10; 7:1-25).
- Zechariah 6:14 tn “Helem” is probably the same individual as “Heldai” in v. 10. Since the MT and the major ancient versions leave the apparent conflict unresolved it is probably best to view “Helem” as interchangeable with “Heldai” (cf. “Heled” in 1 Chr 11:30 with “Heleb” [2 Sam 23:29] and “Heldai” [1 Chr 27:15]). A number of modern English versions use “Heldai” here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NRSV, TEV, NLT).
- Zechariah 6:14 tn Since the “son of Zephaniah” in v. 10 is Josiah, it might be best here to understand “Hen” in its meaning “grace” (חֵן, khen); that is, “Hen” is a nickname for Josiah—“the gracious one.” A number of modern English translations use “Josiah” here (e.g., NCV, NRSV, NLT).
- Zechariah 6:15 sn Those who are far away is probably a reference to later groups of returning exiles under Ezra, Nehemiah, and others.
Zechariah 6:9-15
New American Standard Bible
9 The (A)word of the Lord also came to me, saying, 10 “(B)Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.
The Symbolic Crowns
11 Also take silver and gold, make an ornate (C)crown, and set it on the head of (D)Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is [a](E)Branch, for He will [b](F)branch out from where He is; and He will (G)build the temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will (H)bear the majesty and sit and (I)rule on His throne. So He will be a (J)priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two [c]offices.”’ 14 Now the (K)crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and [d]Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 (L)Those who are far away will come and [e]build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will (M)know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely (N)obey [f]the Lord your God.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Zechariah 6:12 Lit Sprout
- Zechariah 6:12 Lit sprout up
- Zechariah 6:13 Lit of them
- Zechariah 6:14 I.e., Josiah
- Zechariah 6:15 Lit build in
- Zechariah 6:15 Lit the voice of the Lord
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