Zechariah 3

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:1

1. Joshua as high priest ( :-) represents "Jerusalem" ( :-), or the elect people, put on its trial, and "plucked" narrowly "out of the fire." His attitude, "standing before the Lord," is that of a high priest ministering before the altar erected previously to the building of the temple (Ezra 3:2; Ezra 3:3; Ezra 3:6; Psalms 135:2). Yet, in this position, by reason of his own and his people's sins, he is represented as on his and their trial (Psalms 135:2- :). he showed me—"He" is the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:2

2. the Lord—JEHOVAH, hereby identified with the "angel of the Lord (Jehovah)" (Zechariah 3:1). rebuke thee—twice repeated to express the certainty of Satan's accusations and machinations against Jerusalem being frustrated. Instead of lengthened argument, Jehovah silences Satan by the one plea, namely, God's choice. chosen Jerusalem— (Romans 9:16; Romans 11:5). The conclusive answer. If the issue rested on Jerusalem's merit or demerit, condemnation must be the award; but Jehovah's "choice" (John... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:3

3. filthy garments—symbol of sin (Proverbs 30:12; Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 64:6); proving that it is not on the ground of His people's righteousness that He accepts them. Here primarily the "filthy garments" represent the abject state temporally of the priesthood and people at the return from Babylon. Yet he "stood before the angel." Abject as he was, he was before Jehovah's eye, who graciously accepts His people's services, though mixed with sin and infirmity. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:4

4. those that stood before him—the ministering angels (compare the phrase in 1 Kings 10:8; Daniel 1:5). Take away the filthy garments—In Zechariah 3:9 it is "remove the iniquity of that land"; therefore Joshua represents the land. from him—literally, "from upon him"; pressing upon him as an overwhelming burden. change of raiment—festal robes of the high priest, most costly and gorgeous; symbol of Messiah's imputed righteousness (Zechariah 3:9- :). The restoration of the glory of the priesthood... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:5

5. And I said—Here the prophet, rejoicing at the change of raiment so far made, interposes to ask for the crowning assurance that the priesthood would be fully restored, namely, the putting the miter or priestly turban on Joshua: its fair color symbolizing the official purity of the order restored. He does not command, but prays; not "Set," but "Let them set." Vulgate and Syriac version read it, "He then said," which is the easier reading; but the very difficulty of the present Hebrew reading... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:6

6. protested—proceeded solemnly to declare. A forensic term for an affirmation on oath (Hebrews 6:17; Hebrews 6:18). God thus solemnly states the end for which the priesthood is restored to the people, His own glory in their obedience and pure worship, and their consequent promotion to heavenly honor. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:7

7. God's choice of Jerusalem (Zechariah 3:2) was unto its sanctification (John 15:16; Romans 8:29); hence the charge here which connects the promised blessing with obedience. my charge—the ordinances, ritual and moral (Numbers 3:28; Numbers 3:31; Numbers 3:32; Numbers 3:38; Joshua 1:7-9; 1 Kings 2:3; Ezekiel 44:16). judge my house—Thou shalt long preside over the temple ceremonial as high priest (Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 44:23; Malachi 2:7) [GROTIUS]. Or, rule over My house, that is, My people... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:8

8. Hear—On account of the magnitude of what He is about to say, He at once demands solemn attention. thy fellows that sit before thee—thy subordinate colleagues in the priesthood; not that they were actually then sitting before him; but their usual posture in consultations was on chairs or benches before him, while he sat on an elevated seat as their president. they are—From speaking to Joshua He passes to speaking of him and them, in the third person, to the attendant angels (compare :-). men... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:9

9. For—expressing the ground for encouragement to the Jews in building the temple: I (Jehovah) have laid the (foundation) stone as the chief architect, before (in the presence of) Joshua, by "the hand of Zerubbabel" (Zechariah 4:10; Ezra 3:8-13), so that your labor in building shall not be vain. Antitypically, the (foundation) stone alluded to is Christ, before called "the Branch." Lest any should think from that term that His kingdom is weak, He now calls it "the stone," because of its... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:10

10. under . . . vine . . . fig tree—emblem of tranquil prosperity ( :-). Type of spiritual peace with God through Christ ( :-); and of millennial blessedness ( :-). read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:6

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:7

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:8

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:9

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:10

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