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."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

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Summary

The angel showed Joshua, the high priest, to Zechariah, in a_ vision. Guilt and corruption are great discouragements when we stand before God.

Reflection

The crown of the priesthood is put on him. When the Lord designs to restore and revive religion, he stirs up prophets and people to pray for it.

📚Read Complete Commentary

The angel showed Joshua, the high priest, to Zechariah, in a_ vision. Guilt and corruption are great discouragements when we stand before God. By the guilt of the sins committed by us, we are liable to the justice of God; by the power of sin that dwells in us, we are hateful to the holiness of God. Even God's Israel are in danger on these accounts; but they have relief from Jesus Christ, who is made of God to us _ both righteousness

and_ sanctification. Joshua, the high priest, is accused as a criminal, but is justified. When we stand before God, to minister to him, or stand up for God, we must expect to meet all the resistance Satan's subtlety and malice can give. Satan is checked by one that has conquered him, and many times silenced him. Those who belong to Christ, will find him ready to appear for them, when Satan appears most strongly against them. A converted soul is a brand plucked out of the fire by a miracle of free grace, therefore shall not be left a prey to Satan. Joshua appears as one polluted, but is purified; he represents the Israel of God, who are all as an unclean thing, till they are washed and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Israel now were free from idolatry, but there were many things amiss in them. There were spiritual enemies warring against them, more dangerous than any neighbouring nations. Christ loathed the filthiness of Joshua's garments, yet did not put him away. Thus God by his grace does with those whom he chooses to be priests to himself. The guilt of sin is taken away by pardoning mercy, and the power of it is broken by renewing grace. Thus Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood, whom he makes kings and priests to our God. Those whom Christ makes spiritual priests, are clothed with the spotless robe of his righteousness, and appear before God in that; and with the graces of his Spirit, which are ornaments to them. The righteousness of saints, both imputed and implanted, is the fine linen, clean and white, with which the bride, the Lamb's wife, is arrayed, Revelation 19:8. Joshua is restored to former honours and trusts. The crown of the priesthood is put on him. When the Lord designs to restore and revive religion, he stirs up prophets and people to pray for it.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (14 words)

H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3091 יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
Definition:

21; onיֵשׁוּעַsee especially FräVOJ iv. 1890, 332 f.MüllSK 1892, 177 f.who cite analogue for change ofוֹto laterֵ֯, & Nesl.c.) —1Moses' successor, son of Nun, (ᵐ5Ἰησοῦς)יְהוֺשׁוּעַDeuteronomy 3:21;Jud 21; onיֵשׁוּעַsee especially FräVOJ iv. 1890, 332 f.MüllSK 1892, 177 f.who cite analogue for change ofוֹto laterֵ֯, & Nesl.c.) —1Moses' successor, son of Nun, (ᵐ5Ἰησοῦς)יְהוֺשׁוּעַDeuteronomy 3:21;Jud

Possible Meanings:
  • is salvation (semantic_range)
  • is opulence (semantic_range)
H3548 כֹּהֵן
Definition:

18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi 18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi

H1419 גָּדוֹל
Definition:

13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t. 13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t.

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
  • loud (semantic_range)
  • do great things (semantic_range)
  • greatness (semantic_range)
H5975 עָמַד
Definition:

27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי 27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי

Possible Meanings:
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
H6440 פָנִים
Definition:

23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ 23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ

H4397 מֲלְאָךְ
Definition:

2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1 2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1

Possible Meanings:
  • angel (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H7854 שָׂטָן
Definition:

61adversary.2Satan(Late Hebrewשָׂטָן,סָטָן; Aramaicשָׂטָנָא,סָטָנָא, Syriac(Hebrew); Late Hebrew verbסָטַן, Aramaicסְטַן; Arabicisbe remote, especially from the truth, and from the mercy of God;Satan, 61adversary.2Satan(Late Hebrewשָׂטָן,סָטָן; Aramaicשָׂטָנָא,סָטָנָא, Syriac(Hebrew); Late Hebrew verbסָטַן, Aramaicסְטַן; Arabicisbe remote, especially from the truth, and from the mercy of God;Satan,

Possible Meanings:
  • act as adversary (semantic_range)
H5975 עָמַד
Definition:

27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי 27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי

Possible Meanings:
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3225 יָמִין
Definition:

6(Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str)right hand(Late Hebrewid.; SI3מימןon the right; Aramaicיַמִּינָא,; Arabicright, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopicright hand,right side, Sabeanימןright han 6(Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str)right hand(Late Hebrewid.; SI3מימןon the right; Aramaicיַמִּינָא,; Arabicright, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopicright hand,right side, Sabeanימןright han

H7853 שָׂטַן
Definition:

21;Psalm 109:4;Infinitive constructsuffixלְשִׁטְנוֺZechariah 3:1;Participleplural constructשׂטְנֵיPsalm 71:13, suffixשׂטְנַיPsalm 109:21,שׂטְנַיPsalm 109:20,שׂוֺטְנַיPsalm 109:29.Topical LexiconRoot C 21;Psalm 109:4;Infinitive constructsuffixלְשִׁטְנוֺZechariah 3:1;Participleplural constructשׂטְנֵיPsalm 71:13, suffixשׂטְנַיPsalm 109:21,שׂטְנַיPsalm 109:20,שׂוֺטְנַיPsalm 109:29.Topical LexiconRoot C

Possible Meanings:
  • be (semantic_range)
  • act as adversary (semantic_range)

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