And the angel of the Lord protested - Solemnly (etymologically, called God to witness) as in, “Did I not make thee swear by the Lord and protested unto thee” 1 Kings 2:42, laying it as an obligation upon him. The charge is given to Joshua, and in him to all successive high priests, while Israel should continue to be God’s people, as the condition of their acceptance. read more
If thou wilt walk in My ways and if thou wilt keep My charge - Both of these are expressions, dating from the Pentateuch, for holding on in the way of life, well-pleasing to God and keeping the charge given by God. It was the injunction of the dying David to Solomon, “Keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes ...” 1 Kings 2:3.Then shalt thou also judge My house - Judgment, in the place of God, was part of the high priest’s office Deuteronomy 17:9-13;... read more
Zechariah 3:2-5. And the Lord said, &c. The Logos, or Son of God, said unto Satan; The Lord Namely, God the Father; rebuke thee And not suffer thy mischievous imagination against Jerusalem and the temple to prosper. Even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem Who hath chosen that place for his especial residence. Christ, as a mediator, rather chooses to rebuke the adversary in his Father’s name than in his own. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire “Is not this small remnant... read more
Zechariah 3:6-7 . And the angel of the Lord protested Solemnly declared; unto Joshua, If thou wilt walk in my ways If thou wilt diligently observe the commandments of my law; and wilt keep my charge The special charge and office of the high-priest. Then thou shalt also judge my house Thou shalt, for a long time, be ruler in my temple, and exercise all the authority and jurisdiction which belongs to the high-priest’s office; and shalt also keep my courts Not as a servant, but as the... read more
Encouragement to Joshua (3:1-10)Zechariah then has a vision in which he sees Satan accuse the high priest Joshua (and therefore the people he represents) of being unclean. Because of their long exile in idolatrous Babylon, they are no longer fit to enter God’s presence. In other words, Satan is hinting that the people are wasting their time building the temple. Since they are unclean, no sacrifices that they offer there will be acceptable to God (3:1; see also v. 3).God replies that he has not... read more
And I said = Then said I(i.e. the prophet); but some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "then said He". Let them set. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:6 ). App-92 . fair = clean, or pure. mitre = turban. See Exodus 28:37 . stood by : i.e. while this was being done. read more
protested = solemnly affirmed, or testified. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 43:3 .Deuteronomy 8:19 . Compare Jeremiah 11:7 . read more
the Lord of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3 and on 1 Samuel 1:3 . if thou wilt keep, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 8:35 ). App-92 . judge My house, &c. = govern My house. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:9 ). App-92 . places to walk = free access, or right of way. these that stand by: i.e. the attendant angels of Psalms 103:21 . Compare 1 Kings 22:19 . 1 Timothy 5:21 . by: i.e. in My presence. read more
"And I said, let them set a clean mitre upon his head. So they set a clean mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments; and the angel of Jehovah was standing by.""And I said ..." Our version (ASV) indicates that Zechariah himself at this point interjected himself into the proceedings of the vision with a prayer "Let them," a prayer immediately answered through full compliance with his request."And I said ..." Upon the basis of these brief words being omitted from the LXX, Thomas declared... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 3:5
And I said, let them set a fair mitre on his head - This seems to have been purposely omitted, in order to leave something, and that, the completion of all, to be done at the intercession of the prophet. The glory and complement of the high priest’s sacrificial attire was the mitre with the “holy crown upon it and the plate of prate gold, on which was graven, Holiness to the Lord” Exodus 28:36-38; Exodus 29:6; which was to “be upon” the high priest’s “forehead, that he may bear the iniquity of... read more