Zechariah 3
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
World Behind This Chapter
Explore the people, places, language, history, and material world connected to Zechariah 3.
Is “the satan” in Zechariah 3 the later figure called Satan?
The Hebrew expression has the definite article and means “the accuser” or “the adversary.” In this courtroom-like scene it describes a role of accusation. Readers should not automatically import every feature of much later portrayals into this chapter.
Explore the HebrewWhy are Joshua’s garments changed?
Joshua’s soiled garments are removed and replaced as his guilt is declared removed. Clothing makes status visible within the scene, linking purification with his renewed priestly commission. The vision is symbolic, not an inventory of actual high-priestly clothing.
Who or what is “the Branch”?
The Hebrew noun ṣemaḥ means a sprout or branch and appears as a title in prophetic royal language. Whether Zechariah 3 points primarily toward Zerubbabel, an expected Davidic ruler, or a more open future figure remains debated.
Explore the HebrewResearch PathsCurated links for exploring this chapter 3
Language & Literature2
- The Vision of Joshua’s Cleansing and ConsecrationPosen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization
Presents Zechariah 3 with explanatory notes on Joshua the high priest, the accusing adversary, removal of polluted garments, investiture in priestly clothing, the clean turban, responsibility for the temple courts, the Branch, and the inscribed stone.
- Zechariah 3 with Hebrew Text and Jewish CommentarySefaria
Presents the Hebrew chapter with English translation and Jewish commentary. Useful for examining the legal force of the adversary’s accusation, the “brand rescued from fire” metaphor, clothing as a symbol of guilt and restoration, the clean turban, the Branch, seven eyes, and removal of the land’s guilt.
Artifacts & Manuscripts1
- Priestly Garments in the Ancient Near EastPenn Museum
Illustrated museum discussion of ancient ritual specialists and ceremonial dress. The examples come from Mesopotamia rather than Persian-period Judah, but they help readers visualize how distinctive garments marked purification, office, and access to sacred service in Zechariah’s vision.
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