3:1 Joshua Refers to Joshua son of Jehozadak (also rendered “Jozadak”), the first high priest of the remnant that returned from exile.

high priest Joshua was of the priestly family of Jedaiah, one of the 24 priestly families that David organized (1 Chr 24:7).

the angel of Yahweh Representing Yahweh Himself in the vision (see note on Zech 1:11). Since the Angel of Yahweh can either be a representative of Yahweh or the embodiment of Yahweh on earth, the scene here could include either three or four figures: the Angel of Yahweh, Satan, and the priest, or those three plus Yahweh Himself.

Satan Literally “the adversary.” See note on Job 1:6.

Satan in the Old Testament and the Serpent of Genesis 3

accuse him The verbal form of the term satan means “to act as an adversary.” Satan’s accusation likely centered on the high priest’s ritual impurity (see Zech 3:3). Leviticus 22:3 commanded that an unclean priest was to be cut off (see note on Lev 7:20).

3:2 a stick A stick used for stirring fires. Illustrates that God graciously rescued Joshua (and the rest of the remnant) just as he was about to be destroyed.

3:3 filthy garments Describes garments stained with excrement, representing Joshua’s sinfulness and ritual impurity.

3:4 the ones standing before him Probably refers to other angels, though human associates of the priest are possible.

will clothe you with rich garments The priests were to wear specially consecrated garments (see Lev 8:7–13, 30; 16:4).

3:5 a clean headband A headdress formed by wrapping long strips of cloth around the head. The turban was part of the priest’s uniform (Lev 8:9).

3:7 you will walk in my ways A common metaphor for obedience. Joshua’s reinstatement is conditional. He must keep Yahweh’s laws in order to keep his position of leadership (Exod 18:20; Deut 5:33; 10:12). Compare the change in leadership over a similar failure in 1 Sam 8:1–5.

you will judge Denotes the act of judging. The priests’ duties also extended to deciding legal issues (Deut 17:9). Their decisions involved maintaining the ritual purity of the temple (compare Ezek 44:23–24).

passageways The high priest was the only person authorized to enter the holiest part of the temple (here, “my house” and “my courts”). This access was permitted once a year on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:29–33).

3:8 your companions that are sitting before you These friends are probably distinct from the standing ones of Zech 3:4, 7. They likely are associates of the priest, perhaps even priests themselves.

a sign The Hebrew word used here can refer to a miraculous sign (Exod 4:21; 11:9), a celestial omen (Joel 2:30), or a symbolic event, person, or action (Isa 8:18; 20:3; Ezek 12:6, 11). Joshua and those with him are symbols of the future fulfillment of the coming of the Messiah (compare Isa 8:18).

my servant Probably refers to the Messiah based on the connection with “the Branch,” but this phrase is sometimes understood as a reference to a leader such as Zerubbabel (see Zech 4:9; 6:11–14; note on Isa 53:2).

the Branch The Hebrew word used here, tsemach, means “growth” or “branch,” usually in reference to vegetation. However, the major significance of the term comes from its use as a metaphor for the Messiah (e.g., Isa 4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 6:12).

3:9 the stone Probably a foundation stone for the temple. Compare Isa 28:16.

seven eyes Since seven is often used in the Bible to denote totality, the idea here is probably that of divine omniscience—God’s ability to see and know everything (compare Zech 4:10; 2 Chr 16:9).

The Omniscient Know-It-All Devotional

an inscription on it In the ancient Near East, cornerstones often had inscriptions bearing the name of the builder and the purpose of the structure. This inscription announces that the sins of the nation will be removed.

a single day Both the land and humanity are completely transformed in a moment by the action of Yahweh and the Servant He has appointed (compare Isa 53:12).

3:10 that day Refers to the day when the nation has its sins removed.

under the vine and under the fig tree An image of peace and safety (compare 1 Kgs 4:25; 2 Kgs 18:31; Mic 4:4). Peace and renewal in the natural world also characterize the reign of the Messiah. See Isa 4:6; 11:6–9; note on Isa 11:6.