Zechariah 6:12-15

12 "Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is 1Branch, for He will 2branch out from where He is; and He will 3build the temple of the LORD.
13 "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will 4bear the honor and sit and 5rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a 6priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."'
14 "Now the 7crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
15 "8Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD." Then you will 9know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely 10obey * the LORD your God.

Zechariah 6:12-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 6

This chapter contains a vision of four chariots, and the explanation of it; and an order to make crowns of gold and silver for certain uses mentioned; and a famous prophecy concerning the Messiah as the builder of the temple, the church. The chariots are described by their number, four; by the place, the mountains, from whence they came out; and by the different colour of the horses in each of them, Zec 6:1-3 upon the prophets inquiry what these were, an explanation is given of them; and they are said to be the four spirits of the heavens; and are described by their situation, standing before the Lord of the whole earth; by their mission from him; by each of the places to which they were sent; and by their success, or by the good effects produced, at least by some of them, Zec 6:4-8 then follows the order to make the crowns; and it is declared what they should be made of, gold and silver; from whom they were to be had, and who were to be concerned herein; and what was to be done with them; they were to be put upon the head of Joshua the high priest, Zec 6:9-11 who, being an eminent type of Christ, a prophecy concerning him is ordered to be delivered to him; who is described by his name, the man, the Branch; by the place he should grow up from; by the work he should do, building the temple of the Lord; by the glory he should have on account of it; and by the offices of King, Priest, and Prophet, he should execute, Zec 6:12,13 and after this was done, then the crowns were to be laid up in the temple of the Lord for a memorial, by the four men above mentioned, Zec 6:14 and though the Messiah is the chief builder of the temple, the church, yet it is suggested that others, and even Gentiles, should come and build in it; and which when done, it would be evident that the prophet had his mission to the Jews of the Lord; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the accomplishment of all this, should they diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, Zec 6:15.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:15; Zechariah 3:8
  • 2. Isaiah 53:2
  • 3. Ezra 3:8, 10; Amos 9:11; Zechariah 4:6-9
  • 4. Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 22:24; Isaiah 49:5, 6
  • 5. Isaiah 9:7
  • 6. Psalms 110:1, 4
  • 7. Zechariah 6:11
  • 8. Isaiah 56:6-8; Isaiah 60:10
  • 9. Zechariah 2:9-11; Zechariah 4:9
  • 10. Isaiah 58:10-14; Jeremiah 7:23; Zechariah 3:7

Footnotes 5

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