Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

CHAPTER THREE:
HIGH PRIEST JOSHUA INSTALLED

Summary

Satan is rebuked in front of Joshua by the Angel of YHWH. Joshua is cleansed and dressed in royal garments. Joshua is appointed over the Temple and Courtyard. A Sprout and a seven-eyed Stone is foretold. Several phrases are alluded to or echoed in Revelation or elsewhere. [Zechariah 3:2, 9]

Zechariah 3:1-4 – Satan and the High Priest Joshua

ZC3:1 Next the angel revealed to me the high priest Joshua in front of the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH. 70 Satan was standing at his right hand to oppose him. 71
70 Next the angel revealed to me the high priest Joshua in front of the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH: Or, ASV: he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah; JPS: he let me see Joshua, the high priest, in his place before the angel of the Lord; LXX: the Lord shewed me Jesus [IESOUN] the high priest standing before the angel [ANGELOU] of the Lord. The Hebrew name for the high priest is YEHOH-SHU’A. Compare Zechariah 6:11. Joshua was the name of the high priest after the return of Israel from Babylonian captivity. [Ezra 5:2; Haggai 1:14] The name is a form of the Greek/Latinized version “Jesus.” For details on the Angel of Yahweh see the work Error of the Trinity. Many believe the “Angel of Yahweh” to be the pre-existent Christ.
71 Satan was standing at his right hand to oppose him: Or, ASV: Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary; BAS: to accuse him; JPS: to accuse him; LXX: the Devil [DIABOLOS] stood on his right hand to resist him. The Hebrew is SATAN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7854] with the first occurrence of the word at 2 Samuel 19:22. [1 Kings 5:4; 11:14; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Psalm 109:6] The name occurs most often in Job. [see Job 1:6] The name means “opposer” or “resister” and is sometimes so rendered. [TAN; RHM]
ZC3:2 Then the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH told Satan: “Y^eH^oW^aH rebuke you, O Satan. 72 [Jude 9] Yes, Y^eH^oW^aH rebuke you as the One deciding in favor of Jerusalem. 73 Is this not the one like a burning piece of wood snatched out of the fire?” 74
72 Then the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH told Satan: “Y^eH^oW^aH rebuke you, O Satan: Or, ASV: Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan; BAS: the LORD said unto Satan: ‘The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; JPS: the Lord said to the Satan, May the Lord’s word be sharp against you, O Satan; LXX: the Lords said to the Devil, (3:3) The Lord rebuke thee, O Devil; NJB: the angel of Yahweh. The text differs in manuscripts, but the original seems to prefer “the angel of YHWH told Satan.” Compare the possible echo in Jude 9 though the context is different. There the Angel of YHWH is called Michael. The plural use of “Lords” in the LXX may suggest one of the angels in the vision.
73 Yes, Y^eH^oW^aH rebuke you as the One deciding in favor of Jerusalem: Or, ASV: yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee; BAS: the word of the Lord who has taken Jerusalem for himself. Return to Zechariah 2:12. [2 Chronicles 6:6]
74 Is this not the one like a burning piece of wood snatched out of the fire: Or, ASV: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire; BAS: is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire; JPS: is this not a burning branch pulled out of the fire. Compare Jude 23.
ZC3:3 Now Joshua was dressed in garments smeared in excrement while standing in front of the angel. 75
75 Garments smeared in excrement while standing in front of the angel: Or, ASV: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel; BAS: unclean robes; LXX: Now Jesus was clothed in filthy raiment. [Numbers 19:7, 21] The similarities in Jude 9, 23 should be noted.
ZC3:4 Then [the angel] responded and told those standing in front of him: 76 “Remove these filthy clothes from Joshua.” 77 Then he continued to say: 78 “Look, I have removed your twisted behavior, 79 and now I will cause you to be clothed in royal garments.” 80
76 Told those standing in front of him: Likely other angels.
77 Remove these filthy clothes from Joshua: Or, JPS: unclean robes; LXX: filthy raiment.
78 He continued to say: Referring to the angel who now speaks for YHWH.
79 I have removed your twisted behavior: Or, ASV: I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee. God may forgive or cancel the debt of sin upon anyone He chooses. [2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 32:1; 51:9; Hebrews 8:12]
80 Clothed in royal garments: Or, ASV: rich apparel; JPS: clean robes; LXX: a long robe. [Exodus 28:2, 40; Isaiah 61:10]

Zechariah 3:5-7 – Joshua Instituted over Temple

ZC3:5 Then [he] said: 81 “Permit them to put a clean turban on [Joshua’s] head.” 82 So, with the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH standing by, they did put a clean turban on his head, and then dressed him in [royal] garments.
81 Then [he] said: Or, “I.” Texts vary.
82 Permit them to put a clean turban on [Joshua’s] head: Or, ASV: Let them set a clean mitre upon his head; JPS: clean head-dress. [Exodus 29:6; Leviticus 8:9]
ZC3:6 Next the Angel of Y^eH^oW^aH gave his solemn oath to Joshua, 83 saying:
83 Gave his solemn oath to Joshua: Or, ASV: protested unto Joshua; BAS: forewarned Joshua; JPS: made a statement to; LXX: testified to; RHM: did solemnly affirm.
ZC3:7 “Here is what Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies declares: If you will walk in My ways, and if you will continue to keep My mandate, 84 then even you will rule over My House. 85 You will also be responsible over My Courtyards. 86 I will then give you free access among these who stand by.” 87
84 If you will walk in My ways, and if you will continue to keep My mandate: Or, ASV: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge; JPS: and keep what I have put in your care. [1 Kings 2:3; Psalm 119:4; Ezekiel 44:8]
85 Then even you will rule over My House: Or, ASV: then thou also shalt judge my house; JPS: then you will be judge over my Temple. [Deuteronomy 17:9; Malachi 2:7] That is, the restored, rebuilt Temple.
86 You will also be responsible over My Courtyards: Or, ASV: keep my courts; JPS: have the care of my house. The LXX Greek uses TEN AULEN. Compare this with the TEN AULEN of Revelation 11:2.
87 I will then give you free access among these who stand by: Or, ASV: and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by; JPS: and I will give you the right to come in among those who are there; LXX: then will I give thee men to walk in the midst of these that stand here.

Zechariah 3:8-10 – The Sprout and the Stone

ZC3:8 “Please listen, O Joshua the high priest – you and your associates sitting in front of you 88 – for these are men serving as types 89 – so watch Me as I introduce My Servant, The Sprout. 90
88 Please listen, O Joshua the high priest – you and your associates sitting in front of you: Or, BAS: Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee; JPS: you and your friends who are seated before you; TAN: fellow priests.
89 For these are men serving as types: Or, ASV: for they are men that are a sign; LXX: for they are diviners; NJB: omen of things to come. RHM footnote: types… men of sign… sign-men… typical men. The Hebrew root suggests something of beauty. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4159, wonder, sign, miracle, portent… token (of future event)] There is a temptation to see something of Hebrews 8:5, particularly in what follows in the next phrase.
90 So watch Me as I introduce My Servant, The Sprout: Or, ASV: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch; BAS: I will bring forth My servant the Shoot; JPS: I will let my servant the Branch be seen; LXX: I bring forth my servant The Branch; tan: [FOOTNOTE: THE FUTURE KING OF David’s line]. Compare Zechariah 6:12. The language is used of the Messiah. [Isaiah 11:1; 42:1; 52:13; 53:2, 11; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15] See notes on Revelation 5:5; 22:16.
ZC3:9 For, behold, the Stone I place before Joshua. 91 Upon this Stone are seven eyes! 92 [Revelation 5:6] Watch Me, as I make the engraving, 93 declares Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies. Thus in one day I will remove the twisted behavior of that land. 94
91 For, behold, the Stone I place before Joshua: Or, ASV: the stone that I have set before Joshua; LXX: the stone [LITHOS] which I have set before the face of. [Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:4]
92 Upon this Stone are seven eyes: Possible, seven pairs of eyes. Or, ASV: upon one stone are seven eyes; BAS: upon one stone are seven facets; LXX: on the one stone are seven eyes. The LXX Greek HEPTA OPHTHALMOI is similar to Revelation 5:6 – OPHTHALMOUS EPTA – and there are seen on the celestial Lamb and interpreted to be the “seven spirits of The God.”
93 Watch Me, as I make the engraving: Or, ASV: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof; JPS: see, the design cut on it will be my work; LXX: I am digging a trench; NJB: I myself shall cut the inscription on it; TAN: I will execute its engraving. It is possible the stone is a cornerstone in the rebuilding of the Temple. [Exodus 28:11]
94 Thus in one day I will remove the twisted behavior of that land: Or, ASV: and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day; JPS: and I will take away the sin of that land in one day; LXX: and I will search out all the iniquity of that land in one day. [Jeremiah 50:20]
ZC3:10 In that day, proclaims Y^eH^oW^aH of [celestial] armies, each one of you will call his neighbor to come under the [shade of the] vine and fig tree.” 95
95 Each one of you will call his neighbor to come under the [shade of the] vine and fig tree: Or, ASV: shall ye invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig-tree; JPS: you will be one another’s guests under the vine and under the fig-tree. The figures of speech suggest peace and security. [1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4]

Mark Heber Miller